Harrison files for Calvert school board

He has kids and he’s an accountant. When Paul Harrison, 57, of Huntingtown explains why he is running for a seat on the board of education in Calvert County’s second district his advocacies for fiscal and parental responsibilities are quite clear.

The father of three unsuccessfully ran for county commissioner two years ago. He told Southern Maryland News a “large part” of his 2022 campaign was focused on three issues related to Calvert County Public Schools.

Harrison said the school system has millions in “unidentified funds. I work in accounting and everything balances. That money needs to be identified.”

Secondly, students and educators “need to have a safe and distraction-free environment that may require greater accountability in the classroom.”

Thirdly, Harrison calls the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future state education reform plan an “unfunded mandate” that Calvert can only afford and address with “dramatic property tax increases. We need to push back.”

Changes that Harrison supports include adding school resource officers in elementary schools, pushing for a full audit for the entire school system, enlisting the services of “qualified professionals” to address behavioral issues as opposed to hiring more guidance counselors and focusing on halting “a tremendous amount of learning loss” that lingers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harrison noted that, according to the latest state data, Calvert’s eighth graders had a “60% drop” in algebra proficiency.

“That’s alarming,” Harrison said.

As for assuring taxpayer money allocated to Calvert’s public schools is wisely spent, Harrison said, “That’s what I do — ensure money is spent for its intended purposes. I am also a significant county taxpayer. I have a daughter who will remain in school for most of my term. I want her and her friends to have the best learning experience.”

Harrison told Southern Maryland News, “I’ve been fighting for kids for quite a long time.”

The candidate said he has tutored school-age children, has served as a Scout leader and was involved in the now defunct Calvert Collaborative for Children.

Harrison is running against incumbent member and current board president Antoine White. Since there are no other candidates in District 2, that race will be decided in the November general election.