A Currituck County native, Harrison was one of four people who applied for the seat, and was chosen in a 3-1 vote by the rest of the school board on Wednesday.

Melissa Harrison newest member of Currituck school board | SamWalkerOBXNews.com on Patreon

When Melissa Harrison graduated with her master’s degree to be a media specialist in 2017, she struggled to find a school librarian position near her home in Currituck County.

Back then she took the only job opening she could find in North Carolina, with about a 45-minute commute from her home. This spring, Harrison found more options.

Are Schools Facing A Mounting Teacher Shortage? Administrators Say Hiring Has Been Atypical

Melissa Harrison is a native of Currituck County. She earned a master's degree to become a media specialist in 2017.

Melissa Harrison newest member of Currituck school board

Are Schools Facing A Mounting Teacher Shortage? Administrators Say Hiring Has Been Atypical | WUNC News

Harrison wonders if there is a growing teacher and staff shortage born out of the pressures of the pandemic.

Courtesy Of Melissa Harrison
Melissa Harrison has been a media specialist at Weeksville Elementary in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools and is moving to Currituck County Schools. While she is moving from one public school to another, she was surprised to see several other teachers at her former school leave the profession this year.

Melissa Harrison worked as a media specialist at Weeksville Elementary in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools and was moving to a position with Currituck County Schools.

Melissa worked as a media specialist at Weeksville Elementary in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools and was moving to a position with Currituck County Schools.

Melissa Simmons Harrison was sworn-in Thursday night to fill a vacant seat on the Currituck County Board of Education representing Crawford Township.

Melissa Simmons Harrison was sworn-in Thursday night to fill a vacant seat on the Currituck County Board of Education representing Crawford Township.

Harrison will serve out the remaining term of Janet Rose, who was elected to the Currituck Board of Commissioners in November.

The term expires in 2026.

Currituck County Board of Education
Dana Parker - Chairman
Jason Banks - Vice Chairman
Sandi Ayres
Emily Crodick
Melissa Harrison

Melissa Harrison

Email: mharrison@currituck.k12.nc.us

(904) 446-7908

Term Expires: December 2026

Board Members

Melissa serves on the Currituck County Board of Education, representing Crawford Township. She was sworn in to fill a vacant seat and is serving the remainder of a term that expires in December 2026.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of January 5, 2026, Melissa Harrison did not have a website or any information online.

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Said schools need a minimum number of staff to operate.

Her biggest worry is that when schools are short-staffed, everyone else has to do more to help supervise students in hallways, at lunch, or getting to the bus.

“You still need a basic number, a minimum number of staff just to keep the school running,” Harrison said.

Being a data-lover, one day in July she counted all the school job openings in the state. She found 12,614 vacancies.

Teachers

School Curriculum

Student Wellbeing

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Melissa Harrison

As of January 5, 2026, Melissa Harrison’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Instagram

YouTube

The Currituck County Board of Education is composed of five members. Members are elected on a nonpartisan basis and serve four-year staggered terms.

Currituck County Board of Education
Dana Parker - Chairman
Jason Banks - Vice Chairman
Sandi Ayres
Emily Crodick
Melissa Harrison

Melissa Harrison

Email: mharrison@currituck.k12.nc.us

(904) 446-7908

Term Expires: December 2026

Melissa Harrison serves on the Currituck County Board of Education. Her term expires in December 2026.

Said schools need a minimum number of staff to remain operational.

When Melissa Harrison graduated with her master’s degree to be a media specialist in 2017, she struggled to find a school librarian position near her home in Currituck County. Back then she took the only job opening she could find in North Carolina, with about a 45-minute commute from her home.

Melissa Harrison earned a master's degree in 2017 to become a media specialist.

Harrison wonders if there is a growing teacher and staff shortage born out of the pressures of the pandemic. Image Courtesy of Melissa Harrison. Melissa Harrison has been a media specialist at Weeksville Elementary in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools and is moving to Currituck County Schools.

Melissa Harrison has worked as a media specialist at Weeksville Elementary in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools and was transitioning to Currituck County Schools.

Melissa Simmons Harrison was sworn-in Thursday night to fill a vacant seat on the Currituck County Board of Education representing Crawford Township. Harrison will serve out the remaining term of Janet Rose, who was elected to the Currituck Board of Commissioners in November. The term expires in 2026.

## Melissa Harrison

Email: mharrison@currituck.k12.nc.us

(904) 446-7908

Term Expires: December 2026

Board Members - Currituck County Schools

Melissa was sworn in to fill a vacant seat on the Currituck County Board of Education representing Crawford Township. Her term expires in 2026.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Stephanie Forloines

- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system