School board

Board of Education, Forsyth County Schools

District 02

Vote for: 4
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 8
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A board of education member helps set policy, the budget and the superintendent's direction for Forsyth County Schools.

Elected by the district's voters (State Board March 3, 2026 primary precinct results).

Candidates Compare by issue

Curtis Fentress

Democratic

Business executive

The gist

Supports replacing current school board leadership
Opposes expanded state funding for private school vouchers

More about Curtis

View sources (2)

Supports replacing current school board leadership
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“We must replace the current leadership with new leadership ready to exercise the oversight and management functions we have been lacking on the Board.”
Opposes expanded state funding for private school vouchers
In Forsyth Co. board race, GOP incumbents cite their experience while Democrats call for 'fresh' voices
News coverage · Winston-Salem Journal · Oct 18, 2024 · journalnow.com
“They also all disagreed with the GOP state legislators approach to increased funding for private school vouchers.”

Allen Daniel

Republican

Retired software developer and math teacher

The gist

Supports a superintendent who is candid about problems
Proposes requiring board materials two weeks before votes
Supports holding the superintendent accountable for staff information

More about Allen

View sources (2)

Supports a superintendent who is candid about problems
Sexton: Forsyth school board race puts trust, stability on the ballot
News coverage · Winston-Salem Journal · Aug 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“has to set a standard of excellence and be honest with us when things are not going well”
Proposes requiring board materials two weeks before votes
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“be available and accurate at least two weeks before it will be on the agenda, unless it is an emergency consideration”
Supports holding the superintendent accountable for staff information
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“it is time for the board to have a conversation with the superintendent about their staff oversight”

Susan Conway

Democratic

Clothing stylist

The gist

Supports posting the school budget online
Supports making all board decisions public

More about Susan

View sources (1)

Supports posting the school budget online
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“Our budget should be on the website and easily accessible.”
Supports making all board decisions public
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“I will advocate for all decisions to be made public.”

Lee Childress

Democratic

Exceptional children's teacher

The gist

Proposes a community budget committee meeting quarterly
Supports public discussion of every budget transfer
Supports seeking more funding for public education

More about Lee

View sources (1)

Proposes a community budget committee meeting quarterly
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“We also need to commit to putting in place a community budget/audit committee that meets quarterly with the board and superintendent.”
Supports public discussion of every budget transfer
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“any budget transfer that comes before the board, must be discussed in a public forum”
Supports seeking more funding for public education
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“while also not afraid to ask for better funding for public education”

Jill Nelson Berlin

Republican

Insurance and retirement planning firm founder

The gist

Supports downsizing central office and protecting teacher salaries
Supports closer ties between school board and legislators
Pledges a group chat for timely school board information

More about Jill

View sources (2)

Supports downsizing central office and protecting teacher salaries
Voter Info | Jill Nelson Berlin RSVP 65
Campaign website · Jill Nelson Berlin · jillrsvp.com
“Central office needs to be downsized. Teachers and their salaries need to be protected at all costs.”
Supports closer ties between school board and legislators
Voter Info | Jill Nelson Berlin RSVP 65
Campaign website · Jill Nelson Berlin · jillrsvp.com
“A bridge needs to be built between our school board and North Carolina Representatives in Raleigh”
Pledges a group chat for timely school board information
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“set up a group chat where people can join to get timely and accurate information”

Robert (Bob) Weiss

Republican

Retired Army officer and corporate executive

The gist

Proposes an independent forensic audit of district finances
Proposes expert audit and finance committees for oversight

More about Robert

View sources (1)

Proposes an independent forensic audit of district finances
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“a comprehensive forensic audit conducted by an independent external audit firm that reports directly to the Board of Education”
Proposes expert audit and finance committees for oversight
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“the board must establish a strong, professional Audit Committee composed of individuals with appropriate financial and accounting expertise”

Marie Jackson

Democratic

Project manager

The gist

Proposes public budget dashboards with plain-language explanations
Supports standardized financial reporting with forecasts

More about Marie

View sources (1)

Proposes public budget dashboards with plain-language explanations
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“I will push for regular public budget dashboards with plain-language explanations”
Supports standardized financial reporting with forecasts
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“I will advocate for standardized reporting processes that require clear financial summaries, variance explanations, and forward-looking forecasts on a consistent schedule.”

Robert Barr

RepublicanIncumbent

Senior associate pastor

The gist

Supports an external audit committee and budget-to-actual updates
Pledges transparent reporting with clear deadlines

More about Robert

View sources (1)

Supports an external audit committee and budget-to-actual updates
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“an external audit committee, regular updates of budget to actuals, an organization audit and evaluation of Central Office staff”
Pledges transparent reporting with clear deadlines
Meet the 18 candidates for school board's District 2 - in their own words
Candidate questionnaire · Winston-Salem Journal · Feb 24, 2026 · journalnow.com
“I will ensure we have a transparent reporting system with clear deadlines and regular check-ins.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.