James Harris wasn't looking to get into school administration.
For over 20 years, he had worked in finance and operations for the New Jersey Treasury Department, Coca-Cola, Bristol-Myers Squibb and GlaxoSmithKline.
Harris moved from New Jersey to Evansville, Ind., to help revitalize marketing efforts for a Bristol-Myers' baby formula and ended up opening a barbecue restaurant on the side.
One day in 2007, Harris was having breakfast at his cafe in a former Evansville post office building.
Harris' 1-year-old daughter was sitting on his lap while he talked with the local school superintendent, Vince Bertram, who asked him to apply to be chief operations officer for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp.
Harris did, and his life changed.
Harris discovered that his background in marketing and operational management translated "really well" into operation of a school district.
"I like to collaborate with business groups, educational groups, everybody because we're all in the business of educating kids and building a stronger community," he said.
For the next three years, Harris oversaw daily operations of a 23,455-student, 42-building school organization. He was responsible for a staff of 470.
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Since then, he has been chief operations officer at Dayton Public Schools in Ohio, associate head of school at Citizens Leadership Academy in Cleveland, director of operations and student support for the New England region of Project Grad-USA, executive director of facilities and operations for the School District of Philadelphia, and superintendent of the Daniel Boone Area School District in Berks County, Pennsylvania, 45 miles west of Philadelphia.
In his current job at Daniel Boone, Harris, 48, oversees a district with 3,600 students and a budget of $56 million.
"I'm one of the few superintendents who doesn't come from an educational background," Harris said. "I have a business background. So I approach education and running a school district a little bit differently."
Harris said he had helped school districts operate more efficiently and save money.
"Mr. Harris was able to leverage his expertise in operations to save the district hundreds of thousands of dollars," Robert J. Hurley, assistant to the superintendent at Daniel Boone Area School District, wrote in a letter of reference for Harris. "This had the effect of preventing another painful round of layoffs and program curtailments that have become the norm in our district."
Harris always used "sound judgment and professionalism" when confronted with challenges at Dayton Public Schools, wrote Erica Dowell Evans, the Dayton school district's Transportation Supervisor, in her letter of reference. "His work ethic, reasoning and leadership is second to none."
Besides being an administrator, Harris has taught at the University of Evansville and Holy Family University in Philadelphia.
Harris grew up in Pennsauken, N.J., across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.
A middle child, both his sisters were tops in their classes, Harris said.
But school wasn't that important to him back then.
"I didn't see the end outcome," Harris said. "I didn't know why I was taking all these classes."
Harris was a quiet kid who didn't go to his prom, but he did enjoy playing saxophone in the marching band.
"That's what got me to school every day," he said.
After high school, Harris enrolled at Camden County College in New Jersey. But he soon realized he was "lacking certain skills" and "didn't have the foundation to study."
On April Fool's Day, he joined the Army.
That, too, changed his life.
Harris spent six years in the Army, where he served as a military police officer.
Afterward, he had a new focus and a new appreciation for education.
"The day I flew back, I drove right to the community college and re-enrolled," Harris said. "I went to school from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. I lived in the library. I was so focused when I got out of the military. I grew up. ...
"The Army taught me self-determination, and work in education became my passion to be a voice for those kids who are sometimes forgotten."
Harris went on to earn a bachelor's degree in behavioral science from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J., and a master's of business administration from Rosemont College in Philadelphia.
He is also working on a doctorate in "organization leadership -- education" at Alvernia University in Reading, Pa.
Harris is married and has two children -- a boy, 17, and a girl, 11.
"I like working with kids," Harris said. "I don't think I would be in education if I didn't have two kids."
When Harris started working at Evansville schools, he went to his son's kindergarten to read students a Dr Seuss story. Harris' son said, "Wow, you treat all the kids in school like they're me."
Harris said he puts an emphasis on students taking part in extracurricular activities.
"I think the arts helps round someone out," he said. "Math and science are great, but kids come to school on bad-weather days for the extracurricular activities."
After the restaurant in Evansville, he operated a second restaurant, a wine bar and an art gallery, all of which he later sold.
But he still enjoys cooking, and the theater.
"Now that I'm an adult, I want to see every musical, every play," he said.
Harris said he was recruited by Ray and Associates of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to apply for the job with the Pulaski County Special School District.
"I was called," Harris said. "I didn't initially apply. They said they know my background. This would be a great opportunity for you. This district needs you. ... This is a good fit for you."
Harris said he is also interviewing to be superintendent of the Osseo Area School District near Minneapolis.
Harris said he likes a challenge and looks for turn-around opportunities.
The Pulaski County Special School District would seem to fall into that category.
"The school in Arkansas is under the desegregation plan," Harris said. "To me, that's the guide. That's why we have to put into place various metrics and guidelines to get out of that. That's on Day. 1. That's how we have to operate. ... And everyone has to know the mission and the goals for that successful outcome. If not, it will be unsuccessful."
If he gets the job in Arkansas, Harris said he will give $10,000 of his salary for a scholarship fund that will provide $1,000 to 10 students every year based on an essay they write about what they've learned in 12 years of school. The award will have nothing to do with their grades.
"When I was a young student, I was not the best student in the world," said Harris. "It took me getting out of high school, going to community college, not doing well and joining the military. ... Sometimes you have to take a different pathway."
A Section on 04/01/2018