Marty Haynes’ Hixson heritage is rich.
A 1977 graduate of Hixson High School, he followed in the footsteps of his parents, also Hixson graduates, before watching his two sons graduate from the school in 2003 and 2008.
And now Mr. Haynes, who works in industrial sales, is making a bid for Hixson’s District 3 seat on the Hamilton County Board of Education.
“I’ve led a blessed life, and it’s partly because of that community in Hixson,” he said. “It’s my home community, and I want to give back.”
Although he is competing for the seat against incumbent Everett Fairchild, who was Mr. Haynes’ principal while at Hixson High, the new candidate said he has only respect for the veteran school board member.
“He is the true definition of a public servant,” he said. “I just felt like it was my time.”
The foundation of Mr. Hayne’s campaign is the ABCs, which he said stand for accountability, budget and classroom.
The school board must hold administrators and elected officials accountable for building schools in the right places, Mr. Haynes said.
As for the budget, Mr. Haynes said spending money wisely and getting the most dollars in the classroom are key.
“We have some tough decisions to make. We may even have to look at school consolidations and closings,” he said. “People may not want to hear that.”
Classroom discipline is the most pressing on-campus issue, he said. He recalled a time when he spoke to the school board during an open meeting and was reminded publicly by the chairman to be respectful, not to make personal attacks and to refrain from using vulgar language.
“We don’t hold our students to those same standards, and they’re simple measures of respect,” he said.
Mike Kirk has volunteered for years with Mr. Haynes at Hixson High. Together they’ve pushed for issues such as safer schools and greater teacher support.
“It’s been a difficult thing to do,” he said. “It wasn’t always well received, certainly by the administration at first.”
Friend Sue Pukenas has known Mr. Haynes since they went to middle school together in Hixson, and she said he’s the most hardworking person she’s ever met.
“He just has a passion to do this. He honestly just feels like he can make a difference,” she said. “His heart is in Hixson.”
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