Wednesday, April 11, 2018

I learned the importance of education early on. While doing my own homework in second grade at Oakwood Elementary, I can remember sitting down at the dining room table every evening with my mom as she did her own homework. She was working two jobs, raising me, and earning her college degree.

I didn't know it then, but watching her work hard to provide a better future for me inspired me to graduate high school and work my way through college to earn a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Georgia - debt free.

After graduating from Johnson High School, I went to work immediately, working third shift at Mar-Jac Poultry. It didn't take long for me to learn that was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I left Mar-Jac, worked odd jobs here and there and paid my way through my first two years of college before going to work for UPS. After a year at UPS, I was promoted into management and they helped put me through the final two years of my undergraduate studies.

From my personal experiences I have learned that education is not free, it is not easy, but it is earned, and cannot be taken from you. Education is the key to the future, it is the foundation for a modern society, and it is one of the most essential functions of our local and state government.

Many people ask me why I am running for school board. This is why. It's because education is important to me, it can change lives, it can open doors and create opportunities for success. Education should not discriminate among race, age, background, gender or zip code.

I am invested in our schools. I am not decades removed from the school system. I have relevant and recent experience with Hall County Schools as a graduate of Johnson High, a former substitute teacher and a volunteer youth football coach.

The decisions the school board makes today will affect the educational opportunities of the children I will have in the future. My future children will attend the same Hall County Schools that I and my parents attended because I believe in and am committed to Hall County.

I know that I would give Hall County a unique perspective as the only candidate for school board with a deeply vested interest - my future children. 

I hope you will consider this, among many other things, when casting you vote for your school board member in just over 40 days on May 22.

Your Friend,

Mark Pettitt
Cell: 770.789.3149