Core Beliefs
  • ​We believe all students can achieve and excel.
  • We believe all students can be good citizens and contribute to their community.
  • We believe that a vibrant regional economy and globally competitive business community require excellence in Pitt County Schools.
  • We believe that the success of Pitt County Schools depends on the commitment of business, community and family.
  • We believe that Pitt County Schools must have the very best teachers and principals.
  • We believe that Pitt County Schools must effectively utilize state of the art technology.

Overview
​
In November of 1986, the Pitt County Educational Foundation was incorporated. A Board of Directors, composed of local business and civic leaders, was organized in July of 1987. Kenneth Dews was elected the first chairman with Betty Speir as the Executive Director. Thomas L. Edwards, Lawrence L. Seigler, H. L. Stephenson, III, James F. Hopf, and Dr. Chris Locklear have followed Mr. Dews as chairman. Frances Young assumed the role of Executive Director in 1991 when Ms. Speir retired from Pitt County Schools. Beth Ulffers (music educator of 22 years) assumed the role of Executive Director in August of 2020 when Ms. Young retired from Pitt County Schools.

At its inception, the goal of the new organization was to enhance the services provided by the community to Pitt County Schools. The initial effort of the group to raise funds proved to be successful and over $100,000 was pledged for an endowment and has since grown to over $1 million. In addition, each of the five (now six) attendance areas of Pitt County Schools raised funds to be distributed for mini-grants to teachers for classroom projects. Other projects which were implemented included a Teacher Executive Institute, an annual art competition, health scholarships and numerous monetary and scholastic awards. Large grants were received from the Perkins Foundation, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, Belk, Inc., Margaret B. Harvey, Gay and Erskine Love Foundation and Lance Foundation to fund the initial endeavors of the Foundation.

With the direction and support of six superintendents, Dr. Edwin L. West, Jr., Dr. Emmett M. Floyd, Dr. Howard L. Sosne, Dr. Michael D. Priddy, Dr. Beverly R. Emory, and Dr. Ethan Lenker, the Foundation has experienced steady growth and provided services of value to teachers and students of Pitt County Schools.


Pitt County Educational Foundation By-laws
Board of Directors

Mr. Tom Kulikowski, Chairman
Ms. Pat Clark, Vice Chairman
​Ms. Tina Bryan
​Mr. Sam Croom
Dr. Holly Fales
Ms. Betsy Flanagan
​Mr. Jeff Gibson
Dr. Andrew Herdman
Ms. Stephanie Hinnant
Mr. Jimmy Hite
​

​​Ms. Molly Holdeman
​Mr. Ernis Lee
Mr. Josh Lewis
Mr. Freeman Paylor
Ms. Dawn Raiford
​Ms. Kimberly Reaves
Mr. Bynum Satterwhite
Ms. Anna Barrett Smith
Mr. H. L. Stephenson, III 
​Ms. Frances Young​


​Ex-Officio Members:
Mr. Michael Hardy, Treasurer
Ms. Beth Ulffers, Secretary

Dr. Steve M. Lassiter, Jr., Superintendent
Ms. Amy Cole, Board of Education Chair
​Mr. Trent McGee, Chamber of Commerce - President

Ms. Megan Newman, PCS Principal of the Year, 2024
Dr. Jennifer James, PCS Principal of the Year, 2023
Ms. Rachel Candaso, PCS Teacher of the Year, 2024
Ms. Ainsle VanBuskirk - PCS teacher of the Year, 2023

​Areas of support:
General Endowment
Educational Grants
Scholarships
PCS Social Workers and Counselors

Tax ID #56-1540991
Pitt County Educational Foundation
Beth Ulffers, Executive Director
[email protected]
1717 West 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27834
252-830-4223 (w)
252-999-0653 (c)