Sam Chapman will run for re-election to the Post 1 seat of the Hall County Board of Education.

“The biggest challenge (is) getting teachers back to where they ought to be,” he said. “Meaning, being money wise in whatever we can do. As soon as we can get the state to give us (funds) to pass it on, we’re going to pass it on (to) them.”

Chapman has been in the Post 1 seat for eight years. He sees giving students options in their education as being a significant impact the board of education has had.

“We’re trying to create what (Superintendent Will Schofield) describes as a ‘sweet spot,’” Chapman said. “Where you get the kids engaged and they’re excited about coming. You’re creating curriculum that they are a part of, and it’s not just making them memorize stuff. They get engaged in it and they feel good about it. It’s something they have a passion about.”

The programs of choice within the school district are of special importance to him.

“I’m all for it,” he said, speaking at the South Hall Republican Club meeting Monday. “I believe in it, because I was a high school dropout one time. And because of choice, because somebody thought a lot of me and created some interest in what I could do, then I went back, I got a (diploma) and I went on to college.”

Chapman, 77, is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He works as a farmer, serving as the executive secretary for the Hall County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He lives in Gainesville with his wife; they have two sons, and four grandchildren. His wife, sons and grandchildren are all graduates of East Hall High School, and much of the family has also gone on to attend the University of Georgia.

“I’m a veteran,” he said. “The greatest thing I guess I could say is I’m a Christian, and a deacon at Air Line Baptist Church. We’ve had a very good board. We don’t always agree ... but we work it out.”

No one has announced they will run against Chapman.

Incumbent Brian Sloan, Mark Pettitt and Traci Lawson McBride are running for the Post 2 position. Incumbent Bill Thompson and Paul Godfrey are competing for the at-large position.