Bart Grachan for Ardsley Board of Education

A committed community member, educator, and parent ready to serve the Ardsley School District.

My name is Bart Grachan, and my family has been part of the Ardsley school district and community since 2014. I have been an active member of the community, coaching Little League, and serving as a Cub Scout leader. My wife, Alicia, and I have four children that are in or who came through the district, with our oldest now in college, one in the high school, and our two youngest in the middle school. I am excited by the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported my family for more than a decade, and to do so in such a meaningful and important role.

Why am I running?

Ardsley is a wonderful school district that draws families from all over, serves students well, and is full of dedicated professionals. At the same time, now, perhaps more than ever before, it is critical that we are in a position to support that education and those educators and keep Ardsley a strong system for every student it serves. I’m very interested in helping protect opportunities for our highest achieving students, continue to develop more opportunities for students no matter where they are in their academic journey, and ensure all students are recognized and have a voice in that journey. I believe that my experience can help that work. 

Career Highlights:

  • Current role: Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management SUNY
  • Former high school social studies teacher
  • Worked in both public and private colleges and universities — from highly selective institutions to open-enrollment schools

Beyond my work within SUNY, I serve on education boards, partner with school districts across New York State, and contribute to state-level education policy initiatives. I believe this combination of community involvement, classroom experience, leadership in higher education, and commitment to student success positions me to make a meaningful contribution to Ardsley’s future.

25 years of experience in education

Began as a high school social studies teacher (Blind Brook & Port Chester High Schools), have worked in and overseen enrollment and student affairs at Iona (where I also coached college football for a decade), NYU, St. Thomas Aquinas, CUNY LaGuardia CC, and SUNY Rockland CC, now serving on the board of RuleOneNYC, Inc. a non-profit associated with the alternative school Achievement Unlocked in Brooklyn.

Collaborates with school districts across New York State

Supports all 64 SUNY campuses, working with high schools and school districts across the state

Actively contributes to education policy and statewide initiatives

Oversees the enrollment and financial aid functions for SUNY System Administration, contributing to state policy, legislation, initiatives

Doctorate in Higher Education Administration

New York University

Master of Science in Teaching - Secondary Social Studies, Master of Arts in History

Iona University

Bachelor of Arts in History & English Literature

Fordham University