Bill Thompson has announced his plans to run for the at-large position on the Hall County Board of Education, which he currently holds.

“I feel like we have made a lot of progress in the last three years that I have been on the board. It’s a great group of people to work with, and we work very well together,” Thompson, 63, said. “It’s something I feel I am hopefully making a difference in and want to continue that.”

He said he approves of the strides the county system has made in developing charter schools and programs of choice for students.

“(I) just want to continue providing every student the opportunity to find their place, so to speak,” Thompson said. “I just like the direction we’re going in providing for every single student.”

He’s also pleased Gov. Nathan Deal has proposed to increase education spending in the state. Deal said in his State of the State address Wednesday he wants to spend nearly $8 billion on education in the next fiscal year, an increase of $547 million.

“Hopefully we can use that to benefit the kids even more,” Thompson said.

Thompson worked for the Hall school system for 32 years, retiring in 2009 as principal of Chestatee High School. He now works part-time for Daniel’s Charters, a tour bus company.

He is married to Linda Thompson, an assistant principal at Flowery Branch High. They live in Oakwood, and have five children.

Thompson, a Republican, is the first to announce his candidacy for the at-large board seat. Post 2 incumbent Brian Sloan has said he will run for his position again; Mark Pettitt and Traci Lawson McBride are also seeking the Post 2 seat. All are Republicans.