Mr. Kyle Clayton is currently serving his first term on the Governing Board after being elected in November 2022. He was elected president in January 2025. He previously served as vice president in 2023 and 2024. Mr. Clayton is an Arizona native, and works as a REALTOR® and entrepreneur. Mr. Clayton is a graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor's in Spanish and an International Business Certification from the W.P. Carey School of Business. He is an active community service member as a Miracle Agent, benefitting the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Mr. Clayton is also a member of several associations, including the Young Entrepreneurs Council, National Association of REALTORS® and the Green Resource Council.

A resident of the district for 15 years, Mr. Clayton is married to his partner of 17 years and has one son, who currently attends a WESD school, as well as a newborn daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys volunteering at his son's school, engaging with his neighborhood association, and tending to his backyard garden.

“A quality public school system creates healthy citizens, resilient communities, and a strong economy. I believe in the power of education to improve our communities by enriching the lives of our students, and that when we allow teachers to do what they do best—they can uniquely impact the lives of our students. I see education as a pyramid — where cooperative school/family relationships create a sturdy foundation for students to thrive and grow.”

Mrs. Lindsey Peterson is currently serving her second term on the Governing Board after being re-elected in November 2024. She was elected vice president in January 2025. She earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Secondary Education at Arizona State University and her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University. Mrs. Peterson has been teaching Language Arts at Apollo High School for nearly 20 years. She is also the English Department Chair and Literacy Coach. From 2016-2020, she was an adjunct professor of reading at Glendale Community College. She is currently a member of the National council of Teachers of English, the Glendale Union Educators Association and a National Board Certified Teacher.

Education is the Peterson family business. Mrs. Peterson and her husband, Layne, are both products of WESD schools. Mr. Peterson also works in the Glendale Union High School District. They have five children who have attended Mountain View, John Jacobs, Chaparral, Desert Foothills Junior High, Cholla Middle and Sahuaro Schools. Mrs. Peterson was also active on the Chaparral Site Council.

“Education is the most hopeful of all of the world's institutions. Schools should be havens of opportunity, and strong schools make strong communities. I have devoted my adult life to education because I believe in the power of education to change individuals, institutions, and the world.” 

Ms. Jenni Abbott-Bayardi is currently serving her second term on the Governing Board after being re-elected in November 2024. She has served as president in 2024 and president and vice president in 2023. Ms. Abbott-Bayardi is an Arizona native and works in pharmaceutical sales.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.  She grew up in the Washington Elementary School District and attended Desert Foothills and Acacia. Her parents were educators at many WESD schools throughout their 30 years.  Ms. Abbott-Bayardi has been an active member of the district as a parent volunteer at John Jacobs, Sahuaro, Cholla and Mountain Sky where her three children attended.  She was on the PTA at John Jacobs and Cholla Middle School. Ms. Abbott-Bayardi also served on the Parent Leadership Team for three years at the Washington Elementary School District.

Ms. Abbott-Bayardi has held many volunteer positions including Shadow Rock Preschool Board member, Asbury United Methodist, and Shadow Rock UCC Stewardship Chair and is currently the Jr. High Youth Leader at Phoenix First United Methodist Church.  Ms. Abbott-Bayardi is also an active parent athletic supporter at Thunderbird High School.

“I believe equitable public education creates productive individuals and builds strong communities.  During this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the social, emotional, physical, and mental health and safety of our students is more important than ever. I am committed to working with my colleagues on the board to create a more equalized environment for students.”

Mr. Bill Adams is beginning his fifth four-year term on the Governing Board after being re-elected in 2024 following a two-year break. During his previous 16 years of service, Mr. Adams served as president in 2017, 2018, and 2021 and three terms as vice president.

He currently serves on the Boards of the Washington Education Foundation, Pappas Kids Schoolhouse Foundation, and the Surprise Sundancers, all of which benefit students and teachers. He is currently State Director of Employee Outreach for the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a member of Fighter Country Foundation, and a Life Member of the Blue Blazer Squadron, supporting the men, women, families, and mission of Luke Air Force Base.

Mr. Adam’s previous service included First Things First’s Communications and Government Affairs Committee, Cactus Wren Elementary School PTA and Site Council, and Cholla Middle School Site Council. He also served on the WESD Employee Benefit Trust Board for eight years, one as chairman.

He owns Ryan Austin & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in marketing to municipalities and education markets. He is married to a retired educator and has two sons who attended WESD schools.

"Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace." - Confucious

Tamillia Nicole (she, her(s), ella) is currently serving her first term on the Governing Board after being elected in November 2022. She is a bilingual, disabled, neurodivergent Queer Black Latina. She is a mother and a wife and has been an Arizona resident for 13 years. She is a community organizer and activist who devotes her time to serving her community and working with various community organizations throughout the valley. She loves a good hot wing (but only with the right ranch) and things that sparkle. She loves seeing others shine, lean into their power and learn how to navigate the systems that impact their daily lives.

“To build community requires vigilant awareness of the work we must continually do to undermine all the socialization that leads us to behave in ways that perpetuate domination.” - bell hooks