Board Candidate Erica German Says She's Ready to Make a Meaningful Contribution on Day One

Erica German is running as an independent candidate for the Scarsdale School Board. Before the election on May 19, she agreed to an interview to allow readers to learn more about her. See what she said below:

Please introduce yourself to Scarsdale residents.

My name is Erica German and I’ve been a Scarsdale resident and volunteer leader in our schools for 18 years. I currently serve as President of Scarsdale’s Parent-Teacher Council (PTC), the District-wide organization that connects all seven school PTAs. I’ve also served on the Quaker Ridge PTA Executive Committee twice, first as VP of Class Parents and then as President. I am running for the Board of Education as a private citizen, not in my role as PTC President.

My husband, Jonathan Potack, and I are the parents of four children–currently in 4th grade, 9th grade, and college, with our oldest graduating from college this year. In fact, this is my 17th consecutive year as a Scarsdale elementary school parent!

All four have attended Scarsdale schools, from Heathcote and Quaker Ridge through the Middle School and High School. Having children across a wide range of ages has given me a real-time view into the student experience at every level, from elementary school through the college admissions process at SHS. Our family has also had experience with special education services in Scarsdale schools, which has been an important part of our journey.

Professionally, I’m a practicing psychiatrist. I work with individuals, couples, and families, helping people navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and support their children. That perspective–listening carefully, understanding different viewpoints, and working collaboratively to solve problems–is something I would bring to the Board of Education if voters elect me.

How long have you lived in town and what do you value about the community?

My family’s connection to Scarsdale spans generations–my mother-in-law attended Scarsdale schools 70 years ago, graduating from Scarsdale High School in 1961, and my husband graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1994. My husband and I moved here in 2008, after completing our medical training at Mount Sinai Medical Center, when our oldest son was four years old.

Like many families, we came for the schools–but what has kept us here is the community. Over the past 18 years, we’ve built wonderful friendships and watched our children grow through an outstanding school system. We enjoy all that the Village of Scarsdale offers, including the pool, rec sports, the summer camp program, and the library.

I am so appreciative of all the people who work behind the scenes to make our Village clean, safe, and beautiful. There’s a real sense of care and responsiveness here, whether it’s in our schools or across Village services.

Even small interactions–like working with the Department of Public Works on a recent tree planting in front of my home–reflect a level of thoughtfulness and care that makes this community special.

This combination of excellent schools, engaged families, and a responsive, supportive Village is what makes Scarsdale such a special place to live.

You have had years of volunteer experience in town. Tell us about your roles, some of the initiatives you worked on – and anything you were proud to be a part of.

I first became involved in the Scarsdale school community in 2009 as a class parent and a Heathcote garden volunteer. Over time, I’ve taken on a range of PTA leadership roles at both Heathcote and Quaker Ridge, including serving as Quaker Ridge VP Class Parents, and then Quaker Ridge PTA President.

I now serve as President of Scarsdale’s District-wide Parent-Teacher Council. I work closely with parents, teachers, and administrators across committees including CHILD (special education parent support/advisory program), technology, safety, student wellness, belonging, and food services.

This role has given me a broad view of Scarsdale Public Schools priorities, as well as the opportunity to listen carefully to community concerns and bring those perspectives into ongoing conversations with Dr. Patrick, his team, and the School Board.

One area on which I’ve focused is academics, particularly the elementary math curriculum. I’ve worked to ask thoughtful questions, shared parent feedback with Dr. McIntosh and Dr. Patrick, arranged group forums as well as individual meetings between parents and Dr. McIntosh, and helped move conversations with District leadership toward solutions. As the parent of a fourth grader, I can appreciate parents’ concerns and questions regarding this issue.

As PTC President-Elect, last year, I worked collaboratively on a very important initiative at the high school: the introduction of an online grade portal. After hearing consistent feedback from students and families about the need for clearer, more accessible information about academic progress, I worked with the SHS PTA, Dr. Patrick, teacher representatives, parents, and students to advocate for this change.

I’m also proud of the work I’ve done to build community and foster inclusivity in Scarsdale schools. At Quaker Ridge, I helped organize three large-scale community-building events designed not just for students, but also to create meaningful connections among parents. Sometimes this bridge-building work is large-scale, but sometimes even the small gestures matter–like something as simple as encouraging nametags at events to make it easier for people to connect.

Another meaningful contribution for me was during COVID. I served on the District’s Mental Health Restart Committee, through which I was able to contribute both as a parent and as a psychiatrist. At the same time, I volunteered as a COVID vaccinator in Westchester County, spending 300 hours administering more than 2,000 vaccines to adults and children. In a personal capacity, I also helped local families and Scarsdale employees including teachers, school bus drivers, and sanitation staff navigate vaccine access during a very challenging time. Also during that time, I volunteered through the Physician Support Line, a national free hotline offering support by phone for physicians dealing with the stress of working through a pandemic.

Across all of these roles, what I’m most proud of is the opportunity to listen, to connect people, and to help move ideas forward in a collaborative and constructive way.

What professional skills do you bring to the Board of Education?Erica German

As a psychiatrist, my core professional skill is listening–carefully, objectively, and with the goal of helping patients develop a new or deeper understanding of an issue. I ask clarifying questions to help patients make sense of complex issues, and we work together to find solutions.

Those skills translate directly to what I believe I would bring to serving the community as a member of the School Board. In my PTA/C roles, I’ve often worked with groups that include multiple stakeholders with different or conflicting views. As a psychiatrist, I have professional training in leading groups. I strive to facilitate discussions in such a way that all participants can voice opinions and ask questions, making sure people feel heard, while also helping keep discussions focused, respectful, and moving forward.

I’m also trained to manage conflict constructively. I stay calm under pressure, think before I respond, and aim to communicate clearly and respectfully, even in challenging situations. At the same time, I’m not hesitant to ask tough questions and I share my perspective when it’s needed.

In addition to my clinical work, I teach first-year medical students communication skills, including how to navigate sensitive conversations, how to work collaboratively as a team, and how to handle disagreement productively. Those are the same skills that would support effective Scarsdale Public Schools governance and strong working relationships with District leadership and the range of stakeholders in the community.

As a physician, I also bring a deep understanding of student well-being, which I see as requisite to Board work focused on learning and success in Scarsdale Public Schools.
Lastly, as a psychiatrist my hours are flexible, with a part-time patient load. I would be available for the full range of School Board-related meetings and school visits, both during the day and in the evenings. I am accustomed to balancing my career and my school volunteer commitments for the PTC President role.

Overall, I believe that my professional skills would inform a thoughtful, collaborative approach to addressing Scarsdale Public Schools issues, grounded in listening, respect, and a focus on moving the work forward in a productive way.

As a parent, what do you feel are the strengths of the Scarsdale schools? What, if anything, would you like to see changed or improved?

As a parent with children who have gone through each of the three levels of the District, across multiple schools, and as a longtime parent volunteer and leader engaged with school-building and District-wide leadership, I’ve seen firsthand what Scarsdale does exceptionally well. The quality of teaching is strong, class sizes allow for real engagement, and there are meaningful structures like the middle school house model that support students socially as well as academically. At the high school level, the breadth of course offerings is outstanding–my older children were able to discover their interests and even potential career paths through electives and advanced coursework. I have also had the opportunity with my own children to experience first-hand some of the District’s very important special education programs.

Beyond academics, the extracurricular opportunities are exceptional, and our facilities continue to be thoughtfully maintained and improved. For example, the recent auditorium upgrade has created incredible opportunities for students involved in theater and technical arts. I also value the District’s commitment to student well-being, with generally strong access to counseling and mental health support.

At the same time, having been very engaged in Scarsdale Public Schools for many years, I recognize that it’s important to continue critically evaluating our program and improving.
For example, there are ongoing discussions around AP versus AT course offerings, and I think that’s an area where continued evaluation is important, particularly given how AP credit can impact students’ college pathways.

As the parent of a Scarsdale elementary-school student, with three other children who also attended Scarsdale elementary schools, I understand first-hand the frustrations about the math curriculum, and I would urge continued review, engagement with the parent community, and consideration of changes.

I’m also very focused on how Scarsdale schools approach technology. The landscape has changed dramatically, especially with the rise of AI. I think we need thoughtful, balanced policies in Scarsdale—with policymaking a responsibility of the Board of Education—that allow us to take advantage of new tools while still prioritizing critical thinking, communication, and strong foundational skills. It’s important to limit overuse of screens while ensuring students have safe, thoughtful access to technology that prepares them for college and careers.
Overall, I see a school district with tremendous strengths but ample room for improvement. I firmly believe that we in Scarsdale should always be asking how we can do even better. That belief has continually guided my years of active engagement in Scarsdale Public Schools as parent volunteer and leader. My goal would be to build on our foundation while continuing to listen, ask hard questions, apply independent critical thinking, adapt, and improve where needed.

Why did you decide to run for school board at this time?

I decided to run for the Board of Education at this time because I feel ready to contribute in a direct and impactful way. Through my work as PTC President, and more generally during my 17 years of engagement in the District, I’ve built relationships across all seven schools and with District leadership. I’ve developed a deep, textured understanding of the issues facing our schools. I’ve attended nearly all public Board of Education meetings over the past two years (and many BOE meetings prior to these two years, as Quaker Ridge PTA President and otherwise). This has given me a clear view of how the School Board, Administration, building leadership, and faculty operate.

I’ve found this work in Scarsdale Public Schools deeply meaningful. I derive fulfillment from listening to different perspectives, working through complex issues, drawing on my experience, and helping move conversations toward thoughtful solutions. Serving on the Board feels like it would be a natural next step—an opportunity to continue that work, but with a broader responsibility for oversight, policy, budgeting, and long-term planning.

I believe I can step into the role ready to meaningfully contribute on day one. Most importantly, I see Board of Education service as a way to continue to serve the schools and community that has given so much to my family over many decades.

Share any thoughts about Scarsdale’s non-partisan election system.

Scarsdale’s non-partisan election system, including the SBNC process, has a long history in this community and is designed to encourage thoughtful candidate selection and broad civic engagement. The SBNC Resolution provides that SBNC members should focus on potential nominees’ experience and qualification for Board of Education service. I respect the work that SBNCs have done over the years, and the many community members who have volunteered their time to participate in it.

This year, I put my hat in the ring for nomination by the SBNC and was not nominated. It appears that the committee deprioritized prior experience with and active engagement in the School District. I can’t speak to why that was the case. That said, going through the process did not change my belief that I have the experience, perspective, commitment, and available time to serve effectively on the Board of Education.

On a personal level, this decision is also meaningful to me as a parent. I want my four children to see that if you care deeply about something and believe you can contribute, it’s worth continuing to step forward, even if the first path doesn’t work out.

Ultimately, I decided to run independently because I believe there is value, this year, in giving all Scarsdale voters the opportunity to engage in the election of candidates for the two open seats. In a sense, I view my independent run as somewhat analogous to the independent runs of Pam Fuehrer and Alison Singer, in 2018 and 2021.

I see myself as participating in a democratic process in a constructive and respectful way, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that conversation with the community.
In your view, what are the biggest challenges facing the Scarsdale Schools?

In my view, a fundamental challenge is ensuring that curriculum and instructional decisions reflect meaningful community engagement. Families care deeply about their children’s learning. It is important to have transparent communication between families and the District, and for parent feedback to be genuinely considered.

Relatedly, I believe that one of the biggest ongoing challenges facing Scarsdale schools is finding the right balance around technology—both in how we use it to enhance learning and how we manage its impact on students’ lives outside the classroom.

During the COVID pandemic a few years ago, the Scarsdale community saw how essential technology was for continuity of learning. Since then, the conversation has appropriately shifted. Families are now focused on questions of screen time, smartphones, social media, and how schools can partner with parents to support healthy boundaries. As a parent of four, I understand how real those challenges are in daily life. Through my work on the PTC Technology Committee and engagement with Dr. Patrick, his cabinet, and principals, I’ve also seen the value of strong collaboration between families and the District in promoting appropriate digital use and digital safety.

Overall, I see the Board’s role as helping to navigate these complex issues by listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and ensuring that School District decisions reflect both educational expertise and the experiences of students and families.

Each year it seems to be more difficult to craft a budget that stays within the tax cap and funds the program. What to do?

It is increasingly challenging for Scarsdale to both stay within the State tax cap and fully sustain all of Scarsdale’s current education program, let alone advance the program over time. This challenge is linked to rising inflation and increased expenses, including rising healthcare costs.

The tax cap provides a benchmark, but budgeting to it can lead to trade-offs in preserving some of the hallmarks of a Scarsdale education–such as small class sizes, strong middle school structures like the house system, and robust course offerings at the high school.

I think the Board’s responsibility is first to look carefully for efficiencies and savings while being dedicated to sustaining the student experience in Scarsdale (in terms of academics, student supports, and extracurricular opportunities). We should continue to use reserves and other fund balance thoughtfully and strategically–not as a long-term solution, but as a way to manage volatility. It should be a priority to maintain a healthy fund balance, which is a key component allowing us to maintain a strong credit rating, leading to more favorable interest rates on our bond issuances.

That said, the Board needs to be transparent with the community about what is possible within the tax cap framework, and what trade-offs may exist. Ultimately if maintaining hallmarks of a Scarsdale-quality experience requires additional spending beyond what the tax cap allows, the Board should share this information with the community in a clear way and consider providing the community that option, as the District did successfully with the 2024-2025 budget.

Please comment on the recent antisemitic incident and the District’s and Board’s response?

The recent incidents of antisemitism were deeply painful for many in our community and prompted strong emotions and difficult conversations across Scarsdale. The incidents also highlighted how quickly situations like this can polarize a community, and how important it is to respond thoughtfully, carefully, and with a focus on bringing people together.

I come to this issue with a very personal family history. My grandparents were Holocaust survivors. My grandmother was deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943 and survived transfers between multiple concentration camps before liberation in 1945. My grandfather also survived imprisonment in multiple concentration camps after losing his first wife and children in the Holocaust. After the war, my grandparents met in a displaced persons camp in Austria, where my father was born. This history is a profound part of my family story, and informs how seriously I take issues of antisemitism and hate.

In responding to incidents like this, I believe schools have an important responsibility in two areas: discipline and education. There must be clear, consistent, and firm enforcement of the student code of conduct so that behavior is addressed appropriately and expectations are understood.

At the same time, we need to ensure that students are learning about respect and the impact of words and actions on others.

Situations like this are extremely difficult, especially in a school environment, involving children, and they underscore the importance of helping young people learn how to navigate disagreement, emotion, and accountability in constructive ways.

If voters elect me to the School Board, I would support continued emphasis on programming, education, and faculty development that emphasizes respect, understanding of the diversity of the Scarsdale community, and a strong sense of belonging for all students. I also believe it is essential that the administration, principals, and the School Board are very thoughtful and decisive when these incidents occur, communicate clearly to Scarsdale parents and the community at large, and work to bring the community together during challenging moments.

Ultimately, our goal should be to ensure that every student and family feels safe, respected, and valued, and that our schools remain a place where difficult issues are addressed with both firmness and care.

If you do serve, what are your hopes for the schools in the next six years?

During my time as the Quaker Ridge PTA President-Elect, the District developed the “Scarsdale High School Profile of a Graduate,” centered on five core attributes: Critical Thinker, Skillful Practitioner, Lifelong Learner, Compassionate Leader, and “Non-Sibi” Community Member

As a Board Member, I would use this profile as a benchmark, asking whether our current programs, curriculum, and student experiences at each level reflect those goals for how Scarsdale students develop from K-12, culminating in graduation from SHS.

I hope that we can continue to provide an excellent K-12 student experience grounded in strong academics, meaningful opportunities, and a supportive environment for every child.

Teaching and learning must evolve, responding to a changing world and also to community feedback. We must focus not only on what students know, but also on how they develop as critical independent thinkers who can collaborate with others, and make meaningful contributions to their community. We must carry out this work in a financially responsible, sustainable way while making appropriate investments in Scarsdale schools, so we can maintain educational excellence for the benefit of Scarsdale children for decades to come.