Virginia R. Harrison wants to bring understanding and respect to the Carroll County Board of Education.
Gov. Martin O’Malley appointed Harrison of Sykesville on April 9 to the school board to finish the term of Jeff Morse, who resigned March 26 after using a racial slur at a school construction site to describe a type of rock.
“To me the whole issue is just respect,“ said Harrison.
Harrison tries to get her message across by participating in activities and organizations that promote diversity. She received the “Person of the Year“ award by the Eldersburg Eagle in 2005, the “Eleanor Hood Gross Award“ by the YWCA in 2001 and the “Nancy S. Grasmick Excellence in Minority Achievement“ award in 1999 for her efforts. She was also indoctrinated into the Carver Vocational Technical High School Hall of Fame in 1992.
“I think it’s a good opportunity,“ said Harrison of being on the board and who will serve until Dec. 1. “I’ve been involved with the school system for a long time. I’m kind of familiar with a lot of it.“
The announcement at the school board’s April 9 meeting was met with applause from many of the people who attended.
Harrison has lived in Carroll County for 31 years, and said she was confident that she will adjust quickly to her new position and be able to make an immediate impact on the board.
The governor echoed her sentiments.
“I am proud to appoint Ms. Harrison to the Carroll County Board of Education,“ O’Malley states in a press release. “I am confident that her knowledge and experience working with the Carroll County Public School System and her 30 years of professional and civic experience will help bring Maryland schools to the next level.“
Harrison and Morse were two of three candidates the school board recommended to the governor last year to fill a vacancy after board member Tom Hiltz resigned.
Superintendent Charles Ecker contacted Harrison after Morse’s resignation to see if she was still interested in being a member of the board, she said.
Ecker first said that he would rather the position remain open until the November General Election.
“I didn’t want anyone to be at a disadvantage being on the board for six months,“ he said.
When he learned Harrison was still interested, Ecker said he thought she could make the transition since “she is involved in so many things.“
“She thinks she can contribute and I think she can contribute,“ Ecker said.
Harrison’s experience working with the minority community could also be an asset in helping the board and the school system address cultural awareness, he said. “We’re looking to expand the program.“
Harrison will be sworn in at a 4:30 p.m. ceremony Friday in room 007 of the Board of Education offices, 125 N. Court St., Westminster.
Her background includes 25 years of civic leadership experience. From 1983 to 1995, she served on a program advisory committee and extension advisory council for the University System of Maryland. For nine years, she served on the Carroll County Community Service Council, and was second vice president until 1998. She was appointed and currently serves as chairwoman to the Carroll County Human Relations Commission. She also is the founding organization member and currently serves as vice chairperson for Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality. She leads the annual leadership conference on racial diversity at local high schools for the organization. She also was a member of Education That is Multicultural from 1995 to 2005, and served as a member of the Carroll County Local Management Board from 1997 to 2004.
