Educator brings 40 years experience to Superintendent's position

Pete Galloway

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Webster County School Board hired it’s new interim Superintendent at Monday night’s board meeting, selecting a long time Graves County educator

Pete Galloway retired as Superintendant of the Graves County school system following the 2012-2013 school year. He had held that position since 2008.

Galloway was assistant superintendent at Graves County for eight years, director of pupil personnel for 18 years, and a vocational agriculture teacher at the former Farmington High School for ten years.

“I’ve known Pete for years,” said now former Webster County superintendent Dr. James Kemp, who will be helping Galloway transition into his new position which he started on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. “He will not be afraid to make a decision, and he will make some people mad. He might even make the board mad, but you will know that he is doing his job.”

Galloway holds Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and 30 hours above the master’s degree in agriculture education. He also earned 30 hours above the master’s degree in school administration and certification as a superintendent. He earned all his degrees at Murray State University.

“I really appreciate this opportunity,” he told the board on Monday night. “I appreciate the support the board has shown making this decision.”

Galloway admitted that coming to Webster County would be a big change for him. He has spent his more than 40 years in education in Graves County.

Galloway and school board Vice Chairman
Mickey Dunbar speak briefly Monday night

“I don’t know a lot about Webster County,” he said. “I don’t know if that is good or bad. I do think I know a lot about kids. They’re all I really know.”

Galloway admitted that he lives 90 miles from Dixon, but he doesn’t see that as an obstacle. He even said that if it ever became necessary, he had no problem staying overnight in the county. He just did not see any reason he and his wife would need to relocate.

“I want to get into your communities and schools,” he said. “Webster County is a great sized district, and I see no reason that we cannot move forward.”

Galloway was selected to temporarily replace Dr. James Kemp who gave the board two weeks notice on December 2, 2013, that he would be stepping down from the superintendent’s spot following the next board meeting. Kemp served as superintendent of schools in the district for 12 years. He will remain with the district as coordinator of special projects through June, when he will officially retire.

Kemp’s departure follows two year in which record numbers of superintendent’s across the state have resigned, retired or been terminated. According to Madelynn Coldiron, a staff writer for the Kentucky School Board Association (KSBA) website, 34 superintendents left their position in 2012-2013 and 31 departed in 2011-2012.

“That means there were changes at the top in one-third of the state’s districts in just two years,” she wrote. 

Already this year nearby Dawson Springs Independent School System has had to replace their superintendent, and now Webster County will be beginning the process of searching for someone to fill the position on a long term basis.

Following Galloway’s hiring, the board voted for him to immediately begin the search for Webster County’s next superintendent. The process is expected to last through mid-to-late May, at which point the district should be ready to hire a candidate.