Galloway, Scott, Register sworn in; Schools expect to lose $438,000 in December

BONIFAY – Gary Galloway was sworn in as new Holmes County School Superintendent Tuesday morning at the District office. Family members joined Galloway as County Judge Owen Powell swore him in.

District 2 School Board Member Gary Scott and District 4 Member Anthony Register were also sworn in. Scott won reelection over Debbie Kolmetz and Register was unopposed.

Scott noted that the schools are expected to be docked about $438,000 by the state in early December due to lack of revenue. He said that based on conversation with Galloway that the new superintendent understands the situation the schools are in, “and desires to make the changes we need,” Scott said.

“This is a huge blow,” Scott said of the state cuts.

School Board Attorney Brandon Young also announced that the new president of the University of West Florida, Judy Bense, will be the guest at a reception at Holmes County High School Thursday night at 4 p.m. Bense, the sister of Republican State Rep. and former Speaker of the State House Allan Bense, is coming to promote UWF to local high school students.

One program Bense will talk about is the Pace Scholarship that has been awarded to four Holmes County students. HCHS graduate Caleb Johnson is attending UWF on that scholarship.

The Board also approved hiring former Superintendent Steve Griffin as a teacher of special purpose. Galloway said Griffin would tentatively work at Bonifay Elementary School at the discretion of the Principal.

Ricky Callahan was chosen chairman and Vernon Lewis vice-chairman.