2026 North Carolina General Election

Franks and Bennington both filed to replace Rhyan Breen, who told the Times that he would not be seeking reelection.

“Wilson County Schools has been a big part of my life,” Franks told the Times. “I was a teacher here, a coach here and a student here. My family went to school here. I just want to give back to the county that’s given so much to my family.”

Four file for school board seats

F. T. Franks, Jr. attended Wilson County Schools, and his family also went to school there.

4 file for seats on Wilson County school board

Franks, a retired educator who served as principal at Forest Hills Middle School, Darden Middle School and Beddingfield High School, said he’s been involved hands-on with Wilson County Schools for 32 years now. Bennington, a former judicial candidate, said she is running to represent children and families.

“Wilson County Schools has been a big part of my life,” Franks told the Times. “I was a teacher here, a coach here and a student here. My family went to school here. I just want to give back to the county that’s given so much to my family.”

F. T. Franks, Jr. is a retired educator who served as principal at Forest Hills Middle School, Darden Middle School, and Beddingfield High School. He also worked as a teacher and coach in Wilson County Schools.

F. T, Jr. is a retired educator who served as principal at Forest Hills Middle School, Darden Middle School, and Beddingfield High School. He also worked as a teacher and coach in Wilson County Schools.

As of September 2, 2026, F. T. Franks, Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

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F. T. Franks, Jr.

As of September 2, 2026, F. T. Franks, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

Bennington said that she has vested interest in the success of Wilson County Schools because her sister is a teacher and she has two children in the school system.

“I think the attorney part of it would also be a good fit for some of the issues that are coming before the school board right now,” she said.

Jennifer Bennington has two children in the Wilson County school system.

It’s fair to say that Jennifer Bennington is passionate about pro bono! As a partner of the Wilson firm of Beaman & Bennington, PLLC, Jennifer focuses her practice on bankruptcy (representing debtors, creditors, and the trustee), non-bankruptcy work-outs, as well as representing Wilson County DSS in juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency cases, as well as child support cases.

Despite the demands of a thriving practice, Jennifer consistently carves time out of her calendar for pro bono projects.

Pro Bono Spotlight: Jennifer Bennington

Jennifer is a partner at Beaman & Bennington, PLLC, where she practices bankruptcy law and represents Wilson County Department of Social Services in juvenile and child support cases.

Pro Bono Spotlight: Jennifer Bennington - North Carolina Bar ...

As of September 2, 2026, Jennifer Bennington did not have a website or any information online.

Jennifer Bennington

As of September 2, 2026, Jennifer Bennington’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of September 2, 2026, Maria Salazar did not have a website or any information online.

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Maria Salazar

As of September 2, 2026, Maria Salazar’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- 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. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system

Wilson County Board of Education Member, District 7

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