Two educational organizations in Beaufort County have partnered to hold a forum for political candidates, giving residents the opportunity to ask questions and make decisions at the polls.

Beaufort County Schools and Beaufort County Community College will present an Education Forum for state and local political candidates on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Washington High School’s Performing Arts Center, said Penny Sermons, one of the event coordinators and BCCC Learning Resources and Distance Learning director. Candidates for the N.C. Senate like Sen. Bill Cook and House of Representatives like Rep. Paul Tine have been invited to attend as well as Beaufort County Board of Commissioners candidates.

Sermons said the public is invited to submit questions about education issues, and a nonpartisan committee will meet to review and vet the questions, organize them and have them available the night of the event. WITN Anchorman Dave Jordan will moderate the event, and the public has the opportunity to meet the candidates, following the forum, Sermons said. Questions should be submitted by Sept. 23.

“This forum will be an excellent chance for members of the public as well as those with an interest in education to hear from our candidates for political office on their views of education issues that will affect Beaufort County and the state in the years to come,” Sermons said in a press release. “It is not a debate. There is no winner or loser. It’s just an opportunity for candidates to express their opinions, views and ideas and a chance for our community to be enlightened.”

Jordan will give each candidate 90 seconds to answer each question, Sermons said. Following the question-and-answer session, the candidates will present closing statements.

For more information about the event or to submit a question, contact Penny Sermons at pennys@beaufortccc.edu.