LinkedIn

Wants to establish open communication with students' families about how they can involved in their schools while understanding families "need" to be better educated about the the communication channels that currently exist.

Wants to consider school personnel going directly to students' families to supply them with necessary information, "rather than the age old culture of expecting families to come to places that may not always be convenient for them..."

Wants to realistically find ways to develop stronger relationships and receive more support from community hubs.

- Wants to establish open communication with students' families about how they can involved in their schools while understanding families "need" to be better educated about the the communication channels that currently exist.
- Wants to consider school personnel going directly to students' families to supply them with necessary information, "rather than the age old culture of expecting families to come to places that may not always be convenient for them..."
- Wants to realistically find ways to develop stronger relationships and receive more support from community hubs.

School Facilities & Resources

As of May 4, 2025, Jennifer C. Matthews’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Access to Education

Wants to address a lack of teacher retention and county teacher's "heir concerns in a manner that makes applying to our school system appealing and rewarding."

Believes "it is the job of key decision makers at every level to compensate... [teachers] in any way that is beneficial to them and acknowledges their worth in the field."

Wants to ensure teachers are provided sufficient resources for student instruction.

- Wants to address a lack of teacher retention and county teacher's "heir concerns in a manner that makes applying to our school system appealing and rewarding."
- Believes "it is the job of key decision makers at every level to compensate... [teachers] in any way that is beneficial to them and acknowledges their worth in the field."
- Wants to ensure teachers are provided sufficient resources for student instruction.

Teachers

Said, "Everything we do within Pitt County Schools should be to ensure student success."

Said it "must" be acknowledged that success is different for each student and wants to provide students with the necessary support so they can "meet their definition of success."

Said, "We also need to acknowledge that not every student wants to or should go to college."

Believes it is critical for County Schools to support "the growth of...technical programs in our schools."

- Said, "Everything we do within Pitt County Schools should be to ensure student success."
- Said it "must" be acknowledged that success is different for each student and wants to provide students with the necessary support so they can "meet their definition of success."
- Said, "We also need to acknowledge that not every student wants to or should go to college."
- Believes it is critical for County Schools to support "the growth of...technical programs in our schools."

School Curriculum

Believes it is critical to involve student's families in the learning process and invite them to county schools.

- Believes it is critical to involve student's families in the learning process and invite them to county schools.

Student Wellbeing

Jennifer C. Matthews

Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County, Board of Education District 9 Candidate: Benjie Forrest

Benjie Forrest Campaign Website, 2014

Wanted vocational education to be equally as emphasized as health institutions and local colleges and universities.

Wanted the Board of Education to work alongside County Commissioners.

Wanted the Board to encourage more parental and community involvement.

Planned to hold an Open Door Policy and "return every call in a timely manner...[and] be a visible contributor in our schools.”

Supported the Bio-Diesels for Schools Program, which developed a 30 to 40 thousand-dollar annual windfall for County Schools from recycled restaurant cooking oils.

- Wanted vocational education to be equally as emphasized as health institutions and local colleges and universities.
- Wanted the Board of Education to work alongside County Commissioners.
- Wanted the Board to encourage more parental and community involvement.
- Planned to hold an Open Door Policy and "return every call in a timely manner...[and] be a visible contributor in our schools.”
- Supported the Bio-Diesels for Schools Program, which developed a 30 to 40 thousand-dollar annual windfall for County Schools from recycled restaurant cooking oils.

Wanted every school to have equal access to opportunities.

- Wanted every school to have equal access to opportunities.

Supported and helped pass a policy allowing a moment of silence for all students, teachers, and staff.

- Supported and helped pass a policy allowing a moment of silence for all students, teachers, and staff.

Pitt County Republicans, Re-elect Benjie Forrest for Pitt County Schools

Aims to provide educational opportunities with partnerships with local colleges and universities, trade schools, and health institutions.

Supports increased and improved vocational courses.

Believed evaluating student achievement should include Student interest, career preparation, and drop-out rates, not just testing.

- Aims to provide educational opportunities with partnerships with local colleges and universities, trade schools, and health institutions.
- Supports increased and improved vocational courses.
- Believed evaluating student achievement should include Student interest, career preparation, and drop-out rates, not just testing.

Supports career preparation, student interest, and reducing dropout rates.

Advocates for examining traffic patterns from local neighborhoods to schools in order to create safer travel.

Wanted school and bus security to be regularly addressed and improved.

- Supports career preparation, student interest, and reducing dropout rates.
- Advocates for examining traffic patterns from local neighborhoods to schools in order to create safer travel.
- Wanted school and bus security to be regularly addressed and improved.

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Benjie Forrest

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 