Tuesday, Nov. 5, citizens will vote in the George County School Board election. Three candidates will run for District 3, two will run for District 5. Current board member Chris Hilbun is running unopposed for reelection. We caught up with each of the candidates for Districts 3 and 5 to get their thoughts on running.

James “Panky” Hill

District 3

Can you tell me about you and your family? Work Background and Qualifications?

   I am James “Panky” Hill, lived in George County all my life, graduated in 1984. I worked at Singing River EPA for 32 years, I have family in school.

What do you value most in a school environment ? How will you bring about change in our school district?

    I love to see the children achieve and give them all the help they need to achieve. I believe the teachers need every tool they need to achieve their job, I believe the school resource officers need more help to cover each school properly, I believe we need to stop wasting money on unnecessary things. We have to learn to say no to wasteful spending.

Is there anything you’d like the district to know about you? Anything you’d like to add?

   I look forward to serving on the school board if elected.

Matthew Esser

District 3

Can you tell me a bit about you and your family?

   I live in George County, down in the Barton area. I have a daughter that is 34 years old, and a grandson that is six, I’ve been in the area for twelve years.

Can you tell me a bit about your work background and qualifications? 

   Well my qualifications for the  job that I’m running for is common sense and- I used to work in business and sales, my largest customer was Chevron down there in Pascagoula. I’ve  worked in sales for 40 years, and that’s the qualifications I bring to the table. 

What do you value most in a school environment?

   Seriousness in learning the subjects that are being taught. We need to have a certain amount of discipline with the children and the adults, as far as showing up on time, being personally responsible for your actions- but mainly you need to feel safe and taken seriously when you’re in school.

How will you bring about change or improvement to the school district?

Well I don’t have a particular plan in action for bringing necessary change because I think I need to hear and be involved from all kinds of different angles if I were to be actually elected. So in other words, the first task is to see how the system is being operated, and from there see what actions may or may not need to be taken. And I’ve had some input already from others in the community about what they think needs to happen and what I need to keep an eye out for but until I experience this for myself I wouldn’t be able to make a very good determination of exactly what the plan is.

Is there anything you’d like to add? Anything you’d like the district to know about you?

   I’d like the people of the district to know that I’m a conservative, I’m an old-school type that wants children to respect their elders. I feel like the schools need to be secure- so I’d have to find out what kind of security plans there are for individual schools to see if there are any problems on that front. That’s the start-off. Also, we need to make sense on all fronts, and there’s some basic truths and lies that we need to follow on. You know, follow the facts of what’s going on and then make a decision based on facts and not emotions.

Jimmy Deese 

District 3

Can you tell me a bit about you and your family?

   I’m the grandson of John and Daisy Moody of the Crossroads Community. I’m the son of James and Lurline (Moody) Deese and I have one brother Bobby. I’m the father of Jami and Dalton both of whom are grown and married and blessed me with five granddaughters and 1 grandson. Three of my granddaughters are in the George County School System. I’m an active member of Crossroads Free Pentecostal Church.

Can you tell me about your work background and qualifications?

   I am a welder by trade. I went through the Ingalls Shipbuilding Apprenticeship for welding, August 1981-December 1983 of which I completed. I left Ingalls in 1985 and worked in Virginia for five-and-half years returning to Ingalls in June 1991. In April 1998 I was set up to be a Welding Supervisor and I have worked with many people from all over the country and the world. I deal with other crafts, unions, and upper management as well as adhering to budgets and schedules. 

What do you value most in a school environment?

   A school environment to me is being free from outside pressures and conducive to learning, reading, writing and arithmetic is what schools are there to teach.

How will you bring about change and improvement to the school district?

   As far as improvements I would like to see the students continue to improve and position themselves to continue in college what they started in high school as a welder. I’m also a strong proportion of the trades. I know every child is not cut out for a formal education, that’s why vocational education is so important. Every day at work I see the need for skilled craftsmen or women to fill these important slots so we can continue to provide quality ships to the Navy to protect our country.

Is there anything you’d like the district to know about you? Anything you’d like to add?

   I have a lifetime of experience with people and dealing with the government. I think I would be a benefit to the County and I also have grandchildren in the school system so I want to do everything to make sure the school system is a success for all the kids of George County!

Della Maples-Morgan

District 5

Emma G. Moffat

Can you tell me a bit about you and your family?

   My family is from Broome, Mississippi and I have been married for 17 years. I have a farm with many animals and we love the outdoors. I am a 1997 graduate of George County High School and my children currently attend Benndale Elementary School. 

Can you tell me about your work background and qualifications? 

   I currently work as a teacher at Benndale Elementary School and I have also taught at George County Middle School and Forrest County AHS. I am a third generation science teacher who has a Master’s Degree in the field of Education and I am National Board Certified. Last year I was awarded “Teacher of the Year” for BES. 

What do you value most in a school environment? 

   I value my relationships with my students the most.  Once a student enters my classroom, they become part of my family.  I keep up with them and I worry about them even after they leave me.  Some of my former students attend George County High School now. And to those of you reading this- You better be doing your best!! I love yall! But even more important to me, I value the VALUE that our education provides for our future generations.  

How will you bring about change and improvement to the school district?

   Change is essential for growth, and in the realm of education, it is particularly vital. To   ensure that our school continues to thrive, we must welcome fresh ideas and seize new opportunities. Identifying the strengths and weaknesses within our school system is best achieved by those who have dedicated their careers to this profession. 

   Every day, I witness the diverse needs of our students and staff, and I am committed to addressing these needs effectively. Whether it involves enhancing academic offerings through innovative curricula that prepare students for success in their future endeavors, or fostering a positive social environment through initiatives like bullying prevention and counseling services, I am passionate about making a difference.

   I envision a school environment characterized by transparency and collaboration between the school system, the community, and the students. Our schools should truly be the heart of the community—a welcoming space where parents, staff, and students feel encouraged to share their insights and ideas.

   As a parent, staff member, and proud graduate of GCSD, my goal is to ensure that GCSD remains a safe and nurturing environment for ALL students. Together, we can equip them with the skills they need for a successful future. After all, our student body is a vibrant reflection of our county and its wonderful residents. Let’s work together to create a bright and fulfilling educational journey for every student!

Wade Whittington (incumbent)

District 5

Can you tell me a bit about you and your family?

• 51 Year Old Christian, Husband, Father of four
• My wife of 30 years is Nikki (Britt) Whittington
• My daughter is Samantha (Whittington) Goff
• My sons are West Whittington and Walt Whittington
• Our adopted son is Draven McLeod
• Graduate of George County High School (Class of 1991)
• Graduate of MGCCC (Class of 1993)
• Graduate of Mississippi State University (1996)
• BSEE (Electrical Engineering) – Minor in Mathematics
• Licensed Professional Engineer – State of Mississippi
• Active member of Riverside Full Gospel Church – Benndale
• Currently serve on the MGCCC Board of Trustees

Can you tell me about your work background and qualifications?

• Control Center Manager for Mississippi Power Company – Gulfport MS
• Been with Mississippi Power for 23 Years
• Manage a diverse team of highly technical power system coordinators, distribution operators, operations support engineers and technicians, and operations supervisors.
•  Responsible for monitoring, controlling, and dispatching for the transmission and distribution electrical networks and systems for Mississippi Power Company to ensure safe, affordable, and reliable electric service to South Mississippi industries, commercial entities, communities, and cities.
• Qualifications include project management, construction management, and budget oversight for multi-million dollar capital technology and construction projects.
• Responsible for mentoring younger engineer and technician professionals in STEM career paths.

What do you value most in a school environment?

• A safe, Christian influenced, patriotic learning environment which establishes a challenging and fair opportunity for every student and teacher/faculty to succeed while ensuring a positive partnership with parents of all students.
• Highly qualified teachers and staff who consistently challenge and love students and want all to reach their full God given abilities in academics and athletics.

How will you bring about change and improvement to the school district?

• Ensure trust, integrity, and transparency in all matters brought before the GC school board.
• Ensure all citizen stakeholders of the GCSD (parents, students, teachers, administration) are equally and fairly represented in all GCSD schools.
• Be a strong advocate of promoting Christian influence and values in the GCSD.
• Promise to be a voice and vote against ungodly woke federal mandates which are against my Christian and patriotic values.

Is there anything you would like the district to know about you? Anything else you would like to add?

• I have a unique perspective to continue to bring to the board pertaining to industry and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing) needs to ensure our children are ready to succeed when moving to the next level in their education and eventually competing for those careers. It is important to have a board from diverse areas including, but not limited to, education, business, engineering, manufacturing, government, agriculture, medical, etc.
• My wife, 3 adult children, and I all attended and graduated from the GCSD. This gave each of us a great and solid foundation to allow us to continue on to college and successful careers.
• I am a lifelong citizen of the Benndale community, and I love George County and all of the communities and people which make it a great place to worship, live, work, and play.
• I want the opportunity to continue to serve the people of George County by serving on the GCSD school board. I feel led to serve and be a strong voice for conservative Christian values. We live in a time where we need strong leadership who is willing to stand for righteousness and will stand without faltering regardless of the pressure to compromise to protect our children.