Niagara Reporter
NORTH TONAWANDA, NY, 2018- Erik A. Herbert of North Tonawanda has formally announced his candidacy for the North Tonawanda School Board. Herbert, 31, is a North Tonawanda Police officer who works as a patrolman and often speaks at the High School on various bullying, social media and city issues. He served as NT modified wrestling and assistant varsity coach from 2009-2015. During that time, he served as the chairman and helped create the NT Wrestling Wall of Fame.
Herbert, a professional martial arts athlete, was bullied while a student in school. He knows the difficulties students can face each day. “Bullying and social media pressures are a very real thing for students to deal with theses days. I want to make sure policies are being looked at that protect students from these types of situations.” He also wants to make sure that our cities police department is being used as a resource to help students and he supports the idea of a school resource officer being implemented in our district.
Herbert thinks that an emphasis on after school clubs and sports team involvement is key to keeping kids out of trouble and developing personal character. He would like to see after school activity clubs be fully supported in the district. Herbert wants to explore innovative ideas to make students involved in the community long term. He applauds current programs such as student community service and student government and would like to see these programs expanded on.
As a supporter of lifelong learning, Herbert joined the United States Marine Corps in 2004 after graduating high school. After an honorable discharge in 2008, he attended NCCC where he completed his Associates degree. He then Enrolled at Buffalo State college where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Shortly after Herbert was hired as a substitute teacher by the North Tonawanda district. He was then employed full time in 2013 by the NT Police department where he currently works as a day shift patrolman as well as Swat team member. Herbert and his wife Diana have an 8-year-old son who attends 3rd grade at Ohio School. Visit Erikherbert.com for more information.
