Eric Wilson Seeking Another Term As Tuscaloosa’s School Board Chairman

The head of Tuscaloosa's city school board will run for another term as its chair in March's municipal elections, he announced Friday.

Eric Wilson, the chair of the Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education announced in a press release that he is running for a third term in the office, touting the significant improvements the system has seen since he was first elected in 2016.

“I am proud of the progress we have made for all of our students and our wonderful system,” Wilson said. “During the last 8 years, working alongside Dr. Daria’s strong vision and leadership, we have made TCS better than we found it. However, despite our progress, we still have much work to do.”

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The incoming TCS board will have a difficult task ahead addressing a multi-million budget deficit after a vote to raise municipal property taxes to fund the school system failed in 2024.

“The next four years are a critical time for our schools, and I want to use my experience and leadership to help shape this time,” Wilson said. “We need to focus on our continued successes like pre-k, reading proficiency and career readiness programs. We must continue to focus on results in the classroom, school security and financial accountability. By doing that we prepare our students for a bright future and our community for continued economic success.”

Qualifying for municipal elections doesn't officially begin until January 14th, but with every city council seat, every school board seat and the mayor's office in play in the March 4th election, Wilson joins a number of candidates who've announced their plans to run early.

In his announcement, Wilson said the way forward for TCS will have to include new and strengthened partnerships that can help fund the system's future.

“It’s time for the Board and the System to work more closely with local Tuscaloosa businesses and implement partnerships that benefit each other,” Wilson said. “We all must understand that when our businesses succeed AND our schools succeed, Tuscaloosa as a whole succeeds.”

For more coverage of the municipal elections, check out our reporting so far and stay connected for more to come as campaigns continue.