Meet Eric Harrison, new school board trustee

Eric Harrison, was elected to a seat on the Baldwin Board of Education in last week’s election, is a Brooklyn native who moved to the area in 1994. He and his wife, Melanie, have been married for 18 years and their two children attend Baldwin Senior High School and the middle school.

Harrison owns a small-business and says his company “specializes in the organization and implementation of international and domestic relocations.” He manages a roster of around 30 employees, and believes his experience with budgeting will benefit the school district.

Harrison has always been active as a district parent. Even when Melanie was deployed to Iraq with the Army for 18 months, he stayed involved locally. He has organized fundraisers, and served as the Shubert school’s PTA president and on the Education Assembly’s budget committee. He has also been a PAL basketball coach.

We interviewed Harrison late last week about the election, his plans for his term as trustee and his predictions for the future of education in Baldwin.

Baldwin Herald: How does it feel to claim a trustee seat?

Eric Harrison: To claim a trustee seat is bittersweet. We really wanted to have a complete change in the two seats available for school board, but I am grateful and pleased and will do my best. I hope that’s what resonated when the residents came out in force to send a strong message.

BH: What motivated your run for school board?

EH: The closing of two schools and the overcrowding of our children’s classrooms in order to cut less than 1 percent of the district’s overall budget. I feel that I can make an impact, and that the community wants to feel represented. They want a voice, and the voters have spoken.

BH: What ideas will you bring into your first meeting with your fellow trustees?

EH: Let’s work together, and let’s work on restoring the trust in our community. We have to show that financial resources are being used efficiently and effectively to meet the district’s goals. We need to find ways of cutting unnecessary costs and waste that will not add a tax burden for Baldwin residents.

BH: You’ve consistently indicated that you feel the district spends too much money on BOCES. Can you explain?

EH: BOCES is used for instructional services, career and technical programs for high school students, and services for students with disabilities. As reported to me, our district has a little over 100 students enrolled in BOCES, yet we spend over $10 million a year. I believe that maybe one of the two schools the board decided to close could be used [to house] a BOCES-type program. If we bring the technical programs back to Baldwin, then the revenue could remain in the school district.

BH: The decision to close two schools has taken a toll on the relationship between Baldwin and its board. How are you going to help bridge this gap?

EH: The community wanted change; they came out in force to support the

budget and new candidates. We must remember the Board of Education’s mission is to support the students’ academic, social and moral growth and to involve the community in order to maximize the potential for student success. By involving myself in the community and speaking to residents, I will be loyal and act in good faith. That’s my commitment to the Baldwin School District.