By Sarah Nagem

snagem@salisburypost.com

Eric Trail had been thinking about trying his hand for a seat on the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education for a while.

On Friday, the Salisbury-area resident and former assistant principal in the Rowan-Salisbury system, decided he didn't want to wait another four years. So he went ahead and filed for the seat to represent the eastern district — the seat currently held by board chairman Dr. Jim Emerson.

Trail, 37, is an assistant principal at J.N. Fries Middle School in Cabarrus County.

Before leaving the Rowan-Salisbury system, Trail taught government, world history and law at East Rowan High School from 2000 until 2004. Then he worked for a year as assistant principal at Mount Ulla Elementary. He also spent a year at Isenberg Elementary as assistant principal.

If he gets elected to the school board, Trail said he wants to address dropout rates and technology in classrooms, among other things.

"We've got to prepare the kids for 21st century skills," Trail said.

He said he wants the Rowan-Salisbury system to attract quality teachers who will "engage (students) in their learning."

Getting students actively involved in classrooms can reduce dropout rates, Trail said.

He likes Cabarrus County schools' idea to hire dropout prevention coordinators. Schools get local businesses involved in the effort to keep kids enrolled, Trail said.

Trail also said that if he gets elected, he wants to focus on the redistricting plans the school system already has in place.

"If we have a plan — a strategic plan — we need to stick with the plan," he said.

Trail is vice president of the N.C. Association of Educators, an organization that lobbies state legislators for the rights of teachers and students.

He earned a bachelor's degree in religion from Bethany Bible College in Canada. He also earned a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree of educational leadership from Liberty University in Virginia.

Trail and his wife, Meredith, are expecting twins. Trail also has a 2-year-old daughter.

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