I am honored to announce my candidacy for Jackson Parish School Board, District 1.
Jackson Parish is home. It is where Shelley and I were raised, where we built our family, and where we have been blessed by teachers, neighbors, and friends who invested in us. As I approach retirement after more than 35 years in business, I believe this is the right time to give back by serving the students, families, and taxpayers of our parish.
Education has always been woven into our family’s story. Shelley and I are both graduates of Jonesboro-Hodge High School and Louisiana Tech University. Our children, Garrison and Amalee, graduated from Quitman High School before earning their college degrees. Shelley and her mother, Nancy Bryant, devoted their careers to educating the students of Jackson Parish. Their example has given me a deep appreciation for the important role our teachers and schools play in shaping the future of our community.
Throughout my career, I have been entrusted with leading people, managing resources, developing future leaders, and making decisions that affect employees and communities for years to come. One lesson has remained constant: the best decisions begin with understanding the purpose, defining the goal, asking the right questions, and carefully considering the facts before choosing a path forward. That is the perspective I will bring to the School Board.
I believe every graduate should leave our schools prepared for the next chapter of life. For some, that means attending a four-year university. For others, it may be a community college, a technical school, military service, an apprenticeship, or entering the workforce. Every path deserves respect. Career and technical education should stand alongside college preparation because the skilled trades, manufacturing, forestry, healthcare, and many other professions provide meaningful careers while strengthening the economy of Jackson Parish and Louisiana. Our schools should prepare students for the opportunities available here at home while giving them the knowledge and confidence to succeed wherever life takes them.
I also believe the School Board has a responsibility to support our educators, be good stewards of our schools and taxpayer dollars, and make decisions that keep students at the center of every discussion. The choices we make today should not only address today’s challenges but also create opportunities that strengthen our schools and our parish for years to come.
Over the coming months, I look forward to visiting with people throughout District 1, hearing your ideas, learning what matters most to you, and discussing the future of education in Jackson Parish. I hope to earn your confidence and your support as we work together to provide every student with the best possible opportunity for success.
Thank you for your friendship, your encouragement, and your prayers as Shelley and I begin this new chapter. We are excited about the opportunity to serve the community that has meant so much to our family.
Gary Hill
Candidate for Jackson Parish School Board, District 1
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