After more than a year of planning, listening, and collaboration, Pitt County Schools has developed a new strategic plan that will guide the district’s work from 2026 through 2031.
The strategic planning process began in the summer of 2025 with a commitment to create a roadmap that reflected the values, priorities, and aspirations of the entire Pitt County community. District leaders sought meaningful input from those most impacted by public education, ensuring the plan would represent the voices of students, families, staff, and community partners.
During the fall of 2025, the district gathered extensive community feedback through a public survey and 24 stakeholder focus groups. More than 5,000 individuals shared their perspectives on the strengths of Pitt County Schools, the challenges facing the district, and their hopes for the future. Using this feedback, district leaders identified key priorities and action steps in the spring of 2026 that would become the foundation for the district’s five-year strategic plan.
One message emerged consistently throughout the process: the community wants Pitt County Schools to be a place where everyone feels connected, valued, and supported.
A Vision to Cultivate Growth
The theme of the new strategic plan is Cultivate.
Just as growth requires time, care, and a supportive environment, the district recognizes that student success is nurtured through consistent effort and strong partnerships. Public schools are at the heart of healthy communities, and the success of students depends on collaboration among schools, families, and community members.
For Pitt County Schools, cultivation is more than a theme. It is a commitment to creating the conditions that allow every student to thrive. Whether students are transitioning from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, or preparing for college, military service, or the workforce, the district is focused on helping every learner grow and succeed.
Five Strategic Priorities
The 2026-2031 Pitt County Schools Strategic Plan is built around five key priorities:
- Cultivate Instructional Alignment – Ensure every learner experiences consistently high-quality, standards-aligned instruction at grade-level rigor for mastery in every classroom and eerie school, all day, every day.
- Cultivate Learner Experience – Anchor every learner’s experience in safe and engaging learning environments that promote consistent attendance, student agency, and student leadership across classrooms and schools.
- Cultivate Professional Practice – Elevate student-centered professionals who consistently apply effective practices, collaborate to improve outcomes, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
- Cultivate Operational Readiness – Steward facilities, human capital, and financial resources within a unified, collaborative system to support current and future needs.
- Cultivate Community Connection – Deepen trust, communication, and shared responsibility with families and community partners to support learner success and postsecondary readiness.
Each priority includes specific objectives and measures of progress that will guide the district’s work over the next five years.
Our Shared Commitment
The mission of Parents for Public Schools of Pitt County (PPS-PC) is to advance the role of families and communities in securing a high-quality public education for every child. As advocates for strong public schools, we recognize the importance of thoughtful planning, meaningful community engagement, and collaborative partnerships.
Since its founding in 2013, PPS-PC has cultivated a strong relationship with Pitt County Schools and has worked alongside educators, families, businesses, and community organizations to support student success. We are encouraged to see the district’s new strategic plan place a strong emphasis on community connection and shared responsibility.
As the North Carolina Constitution guarantees every child access to a free public education, PPS-PC will continue advocating for public schools to be fully funded and fully resourced so they can reach their full potential. Together, we can help cultivate thriving schools, empowered students, and a stronger community for generations to come.
Dr. Taylor Matkins, Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership/Chief of Schools, recently joined the PCS Connect Podcast as a guest and provided an in-depth look at the Pitt County Schools 2026-2031 Strategic Plan and what it means for the district’s future. Click HERE to listen to the episode to learn more about the plan’s priorities, the vision guiding the district’s work and how the strategic plan will help shape the opportunities and outcomes for students across Pitt County Schools. As PCS looks ahead, the plan provides a framework for moving forward with purpose and keeping students at the center of the work.
