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Shane L. Harris

Candidate Harris is a retired Vineland Police Officer of 30 years whose policing experience has many direct ties to the local education sector. This gives him a strong, informed perspective on how to address school safety and security moving forward in Vineland Public Schools. He hopes that by sustaining security in schools, teachers and students will be able to focus on education rather than safety. He believes that current disciplinary methods are sufficient, but if particular school buildings are having high numbers of incidents, they should be looked at specifically and handled on a case by case basis. For Parents Rights vs Student Privacy, he will follow the law as written. And in terms of Student Performance, he plans to listen to the needs of administrators and teachers first, then address them accordingly.

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Click the red x at the top of this box and then scroll down down for more in-depth information from direct quotes from our communication with Harris.

Shane Harris

Running for:
Vineland School Board
Incumbent
Challenger

Websites

This election is on November 5th, 2024

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individual agenda

Quoted directly from communication with Harris:

As stated in my background information I am fully qualified to work with Security Issues. Bringing my past experience to the table would allow me to bring a unique perspective to the Board:
  • 1. Obviously in this day and age security is of the utmost importance. At the school level we need to implement plans that allow our children to feel safe in their environment. A student's primary focus should be on learning.

  • 2. In order to sustain a safe environment policies need to be looked at, evaluated, and updated yearly. This should be done as a collaboration with school and district personnel. School personnel so they can give input as to what works well in their individual building and what changes they feel are necessary. And appropriate district personnel who would have been attending seminars with agencies that have been involved in crisis situations.

  • 3. The Board Representative(s) should also have a panel meeting at least quarterly with school personnel, District Security personnel and City Stakeholders concerning security.


Stances on Issues

Quoted directly from communication with Harris:

  • Disciplinary Methods
    • If there were too many incidents within the normal day at specific schools those schools need to be addressed. The data from those schools need to be looked at individually. From there plans can be developed to decrease the discipline issues.
    • Discipline should be handled on a case by case situation. Teachers and Administrators working with parents and guidance staff can often change behavior. Working together as a team can determine if behavior plans within the school are appropriate or if other outside services are needed. In working as a team to address discipline issues the student gets the support needed to change the behavior and the teacher gets the support necessary to focus on academic instruction with less disruption.


      • Parents Rights vs. Students Privacy
        I believe in parents rights but I also believe in following the law. With my background of thirty years of law enforcement my initial reaction to any issue would be to follow the law.


      • Student Performance
        There are many factors that play into test scores and benchmarks. As a Board Member I would like to hear from Administrators and teachers in terms of what they need in order for their students to be more successful. Then as best we can meet those needs.


Comparison to Other Candidates

Quoted directly from communication with Harris:

Every candidate has their own personal reasons for running for the School Board and should be applauded. I would hope that I stand out above the rest for a few reasons. Being as a Grandfather of Vineland Public School students I have a vested interest in ensuring that our students receive the best possible education. Secondly as I stated before part of my tenure as a Vineland Police Officer was spent working in the schools. This gives me a unique background and solid foundation of safety and security of our schools.


Experience

Quoted directly from communication with Harris:

  • Four Years Us Army from 1988 to 1992 To include a tour in Desert Storm/Shield with the 24th Infantry Division Air Defense Unit.


  • 30 Years Vineland Police Officer Retired January 2024
    • 6 years as the Sgt. of Vineland Police Juvenile Unit: This is a position that is the liaison between the school board and the police department. Oversaw the Police Explorers program and the Safety Patrols which gave me direct interaction with students at all educational levels.

    • I Worked closely with several school staff, I made myself available to Administrators, Guidance and Teachers. I collaborated with staff and students in an effort to create and implement plans to assist students.

    • I also worked closely with the Former District Security Supervisor and Central Administration in the development and implementation of security protocols within the school district.


  • Served Ten Years on the Police Athletic Board holding the titles of Treasury, Vice President and President of the board.