My name is Billy Walley and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for a seat on the Picayune Municipal District School Board. I have two primary reasons in seeking this position. The first and foremost is to assure that our students are prepared as they graduate from high school to begin their college education or vocational occupation. Our goal should be that every student will graduate. Although that may not be possible, we should strive to increase the percentage of our students that graduate and assure that they are well prepared. My second concern is to improve the school district’s reputation. Too often, businesses and families make the decision to locate in a community based upon the reputation of the school district. I believe our district’s reputation has room for improvement. We must improve our reputation and the opportunity for our children to succeed in life!

My wife, Beverly, our son, Will, and I live in the Caesar community on Woodridge Lane where we have resided for the past 18 years. I am a lifelong resident of Pearl River County, Miss., having grown up in the Buck Branch community where my 95 year old mother still resides. I graduated from Poplarville High School as the Valedictorian of my class. I achieved highest honors from Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi at graduation. I pursued a law degree from the University of Mississippi Law School and began my career in law working in the law firm of Williams, Williams and Montgomery in Poplarville from 1977 until 1985. From 1985 until 2002, I was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Stennis. Following my employment at NASA, I opened a successful private law practice in Picayune specializing in real estate at which I work today.

I have lived in the Picayune area since 1985 and have been active in a number of community activities. I have been devoted to serving at First United Methodist Church of Picayune, where I serve as the lay delegate to the annual Mississippi United Methodist Conference. As a youth I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. I have served on the Pine Burr Area Council Executive Board since 1985, including tenure as committee vice president. I also serve nationally on the committee of the Order of the Arrow.

I serve as a community member with Partners for Stennis. Partners charter is to promote the future growth of the Stennis Space Center to create jobs and positively impact the surrounding municipalities.

My son recently graduated from Picayune Memorial High School with honors and is attending Pearl River Community College. During his tenure in the high school band program, I served as the president of the Band Boosters.

I am proud of our school district. The facilities are beautiful and well maintained. The district is lucky to have many dedicated teachers and administrators who are concerned about the well being of students. Extracurricular activities are vital to our district and we should be rightfully proud of all them.

I am committed to preparing our students for life after graduation. I would sincerely appreciate your support and vote.