Bill Thompson and Mark Pettitt have each won another term for their respective posts on the Hall County Board of Education.
Thompson has won a fourth term, while Pettitt will return for a second.
Thompson retired from the Hall County School District after 32 years, during which time he worked as the principal of Chestatee High School. He defeated opponent Ashley Morgan Carter, a native of Hall County who works at Brenau University.
Pettitt defeated opponent Michelle Cook. Pettitt has previously touted his leadership in the school system during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing himself as an advocate for family choice during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Republicans Debra Jones Smith and engineer Tim Glover are headed to a runoff for the board of education Post 1.
Smith retired from Hall County Schools after 38 years and now works for the University of North Georgia in the Educational Leadership program. She told Zoller one issue facing the school board is “revamping” the way schools communicate with parents.
“We need to let them have a say in what’s going on, some of the issues I think will be things that we have to give parents a choice on because it’s their children and we serve them,” said Smith.
Glover is active in his community, according to his website, and as such has heard from parents what they want in a school board. Like Smith, he aims to get parents more involved with their child’s education.
Glover also hopes to ensure teachers’ pay and benefits in Hall County are competitive with other school systems, and to keep open communication with parents, students, and educators.
Johnny Mark Johnson, another candidate in the Post 1 race, fell short of a runoff.
Thompson, a Republican, will face Democratic opponent Pat Calmes in November. Pettitt also faces a Democrat opponent in Isabel Martinez Flynn.
A runoff for Smith and Glover will be held June 21. The winner will face Democrat Angela Thomas Middleton in November.
