Most swearing-in ceremonies for public office are pretty routine, but the newest member of the Hall County School Board followed his oath of office Monday evening with a statement of apology.
Mark Pettitt, who was elected in November 2018 to his first term on the board, was arrested in Gainesville last month on a DUI charge.
"I would like to apologize to my friends, family and supporters - many of whom are here in this room today - for any embarrassment or disappointment I have caused you recently," Pettitt said, reading from a prepared statement. "I would also like to apologize to the members of this board and this school system for any distraction I may have caused you recently."
Pettitt went on to say he was ready to get to work in his new position.
"I look forward to being the best public servant I can be," Pettitt said.
School Board Chairman Nath Morris responded to Pettitt's statement with a statement of his own, made on behalf of all board members.
"We do not condone the alleged behavior - and I do say alleged at this time - and the behaviors of the past. As a board, and as members of the elected board, we are held to high standards," Morris said. "Our words and our actions are examples of the expectations that we have from our employees and our students, from our staff and the constituents that we serve."
Morris pointed out a portion of the Hall County School District's vision statement - character for all.
"That is intentional because we feel that character matters," Morris said. "The Hall County School System is in the business of education and everyone can learn from this situation. You have been elected by the people of Hall County to serve in this role and have now taken the oath of office. I pray that we can continue the good work that this board and this system that we serve has done in creating a positive and safe learning environment for our students and I pray we all make the right decisions going forward."
MORRIS, HERRINGTON RE-ELECTED BOARD OFFICERS
In addition to swearing-in ceremonies for Pettitt and for re-elected board members Sam Chapman and Bill Thompson, elections for board officers was part of Monday night's ork session agenda.
Board members re-elected Nath Morris as Board Chairman and Craig Herrington as Vice-Chairman.
