Dear Friends,

On Monday January 7, 2019, I was sworn in to the Hall County Board of Education while placing my hand on a bible given to my father, and later to me, by my late grandmother. My grandmother was a very important part of my life when I was growing up. She helped raise me, and was, in many ways, my best friend. She had a heart for people, especially the disadvantaged and boy she loved an underdog. But there is something that she told me repeatedly over the course of my childhood that will never leave me. To this day I still carry this advice with me. “Son, always stay true to yourself.” As I move forward, I cannot help but hear my grandmother tell me this.

Having been elected to serve the people of Hall County in this role is an honor and a privilege, and I look forward to working hard each day, for your families, to be the best public servant I can be.

I am very excited to join the Hall Co family and am ready to hit the ground running to build on the successes that have already been realized in our school system. Hall County Schools is a diverse community of the most caring people I have ever met. I know this because I am a product of this school system, and was blessed to have teachers, coaches and administrators all along the way who never hesitated to go the extra mile to help us learn and grow.

With 12 magnet schools, 20 programs of choice, record high graduation rates in 2018, cutting edge technology and security features, 3,206 gifted students, and 5,243 students who are learning English as their second language, there is no doubt that we enjoy great schools in Hall County. However, this is not by chance or accident. This is directly due to the hard work our students, staff and leaders put in each day to be the best they can be. I am very proud to join you all at this time to advance our schools and enhance student achievement.

I would like to thank my friends and family, especially my mother who is here tonight, for their support along the way. I would also like to thank the people of our community for allowing me to serve them in this capacity.

I would be remis if I did not publicly thank the superintendent and staff, as well as the other board members, for their help in bringing me up to speed and helping me learn this job. The learning curve is somewhat significant, and the task is quite daunting when you are the new kid on the block.

Finally, I just want each of you to know that I am proud to be serving alongside some really great people and to be able to help the students of Hall County learn and grow in a safe environment. Please don’t hesitate to ever call on me if I can help you or your family. I am always willing to listen and help when I can.

May God continue to bless our nation, state, and community and to guide our leaders.

Very Truly Yours,

Mark Pettitt
Hall County Board of Education