Craig Herrington, Chairman
Craig has been serving as the Post 3 Board member for 23 years. He serves as Chairman of the board and also serves as the board’s representative on the Hall County Parks and Leisure Board. Craig is a native of Hall County and a graduate of Johnson High School. He was employed by Duplicating Products of Gainesville straight out of high school and has 46 years of service with them.
Craig and his wife, Lisa, have two children and three grandchildren. They all have been or are currently students of Hall County Schools. Lisa has worked in the education field for 33 years and is currently working for the Hall County School System in the Technology Department. Their daughter, Heather graduated from Brenau University with a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently a fourth grade teacher at Sardis Elementary School. She along with her husband and children live in the Chestatee School District.
Their son Michael and his wife Tabitha live in the East Hall School District and Tabitha is employed at the Hall County Schools Transportation Department.
Craig Herrington, Chairman
craig.herrington@hallco.org
Nath Morris, Vice Chairman
Mr. Morris began his term in 2000 as the Post 4 board member, has served as board chairman and the district’s legislative liaison. He currently serves as vice chairman for the board. He was elected president of the Georgia School Board Association in 2014 and was the recipient of the distinguished “Pioneer in Education” award in 2019, given by the Northeast Georgia region of RESA. Nath has a passion for maintaining local control of educational concerns. “Who knows better the educational needs for our students than our teachers, administrators and community?”
Nath, a graduate of the University of Georgia, has a 37-year career in the poultry industry and currently serves as President of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Nath and his wife Joy have two children who graduated from North Hall High School. Megan graduated from UGA and Jennifer from Piedmont College. They are proud grandparents of two, soon to be three, grandchildren.
Nath Morris, Vice Chairman
nath.morris@hallco.org
Dr. Debra Smith, Board Member
Dr. Debra Jones Smith is beginning her first term on the Hall County Board of Education. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Chip Smith, and they are both life-long residents of Hall County. Dr. Smith and both of her children attended Hall County Schools. She has six grand children with four currently attending Hall County Schools.
Dr. Smith spent her entire career in Hall County. She served as a High School Science Teacher for 12 years. She then became a Middle School Assistant Principal for 10 years and was promoted to Principal for 4 years. The last 12 years her time was spent as an Elementary Principal. Currently, she is an instructor at UNG in the Educational Leadership Program.
Dr. Smith received her Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science from UNG. She completed a Specialist Degree in Leadership from UGA and a Doctorate in Leadership from NOVA University.
Dr. Smith has a passion for education and for kids. Education has been her life and she has the desire to continue working towards educational excellence for all of the students of Hall County.
Debra Smith, Board Member
debra.smith@hallco.org
Bill Thompson, Board Member
Bill Thompson has begun his 4th four year term as the County At-Large Board member. He retired from the Hall County School System after serving 32 years. His most recent position was that of Principal of Chestatee High School. His love for the students and staff throughout his career as a teacher and an administrator made the job fun and not a “job.” “This is my 46th year with the Hall County School System and my wife Linda’s 44th year. We are both so proud of our years of service and grateful for what it has provided for our family.” Three of his five children have worked for the Hall County School System at one time or another.
Bill Thompson, Board Member
bill.thompson@hallco.org