Webster Schools: Changing of the guard

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Monday’s school board meeting marked the unofficial end of Pete Galloway’s term as Superintendant of Webster County Schools. Galloway’s contract with the district will end on Monday, June 30, 2014, with Webster County native Dr. Rachel Yarbrough taking over on July 1.

“Time flies,” Galloway told the board. “Alan Lossner said the other night that it’s bitter sweet. “I meant to come here, try to help out a little and then go home and be on my way. I’ve made some lifelong friends here. I’m really going to miss Webster County.”

Galloway, who retired as Graves County Superintendent in 2013, 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.

“You brought a breath of fresh air,” board chairman Jeff Petit told Galloway. “A breath of professionalism. Six months ago when we started down this path, people questioned the sanity of this board, but I think now they can see what we were shooting for.”

Galloway’s six months as superintendent have proven to be a transitional period for the district, creating a separation between the old and new administrations. When Dr. Yarbrough arrives on July 1, 2014, she will bring with her a new set of administrators. 

“You’ve been able to surround your new superintendant with good people,” Galloway said. “The folks it will benefit the most are the children of this county.

Long time Webster County educator and administrator Georgiann McCord will return to the district, after spending two years in Union County, to assume the newly created Deputy Assistant Superintendent position, while Webster County graduate Tara Howard will take over as Principal of the high school, replacing Tim Roy who left the district to take the principal’s job at James Madison Middle School in Hopkins County.

“It’s great to be home,” Howard said on Monday. “I just can’t wait to get started.”

 July will also bring about the unofficial opening of Webster County Middle School, as the district expects construction to be completed by the second week of the month. Long time educator Cyndi Boggs will replace principal Geoff Bailey at the middle school in time for it’s inaugural school year, coming to the district from Pride Avenue Elementary in Madisonville.

“I just want to say how excited I am at how strong our secondary education program is going to be for the 2014-2015 school year,” said Yarbrough. “With students at the core of every decision we make, great things are going to happen.”