Candidate: David Galloway

Greetings,                                                                                                                     My name is Dave Galloway, and I'm applying for the position of School Board Member for District 5. The citizens of District 5 have the opportunity to "hire" (elect) the person they think is most qualified to represent them, their children, community and their school on the board come August 23, 2022.

Here is little about myself and my qualifications for this position. I graduated from Lake Worth High School, Class of 1974. I enlisted and served 3 years in the US Army. I was a Small Arms Repairman/Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg North Carolina. I continued my service in the Florida National Guard. I served with B Co - 1/124 Infantry Regiment as an Infantry Platoon Squad Leader,  from 1979 until 1985, when I moved to California. While in California, I served as a Track Commander (M 113) with A Co - 1/160 Infantry (Mech) Regiment. I returned to Florida and continued with my old Guard unit until my enlistment ended in 1989. I could not be any prouder of being a US Army Paratrooper and my 13 years of service to our country and the states of Florida and California.

I met Cay, my wife, in West Palm Beach Florida, back in 1988. Cay had graduated from Sneads High School in1980 and lucky for me, sought opportunities down state. Her grandparents were Johnny and Sally Howell. Some of you may remember they owned the Howell Fish Camp down on Lake Seminole. We married at Lake Seminole in 1990.

When our son Dillon was getting ready to enter school, we were a bit distressed by the education offered in Palm Beach County at the time. For the sake of our son's education, we made the decision to relocate to Jackson County.

After a career as a licensed Water Treatment Plant Operator in Palm Beach County, I returned to school to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at Tallahassee Community College and then at Flagler College. This was a life long dream of mine. I became familiar with our schools when I began working as a substitute teacher in 2000, while I was finishing my degree.

After graduating in 2005, there were scant jobs available in our school system. I began working at FSH as a Rehab Therapist in the CPS Department.

I began my education career in 2007, a year after Cay was hired as a secondary English Language Arts teacher at her alma mater, Sneads High School. Currently, Cay is the 8th Grade ELA teacher at our Grand Ridge School (Go Indians!).

I taught at Riverside Elementary (Go Beavers!) as a Fifth Grade Reading and Science Teacher from 2007 until 2019. I transferred to Grand Ridge School at the request of their then Principal,  Laurence Pender. I taught Sixth Grade science until my retirement in June of 2021. Teaching our children has been the most gratifying and rewarding experience of my life. I miss working with our kids every day.

I have also served as the Jackson County Education Association Recording Secretary, Vice President and finally as President of the Association. This has given me the experience and insight as to how our school system works, both at the local and state level. I know how our local budget and the State education budget works. I know our Department Heads and how our different departments work. For 14 years I have worked hand in hand with our District Superintendent, school administrators, teachers and our incredible support staff. These are the people that teach and take care of our children. They keep our schools functioning to ensure our kids are getting what they need in order to become successful citizens.

I retired at the end of the 2021 school year specifically to apply for this position. I want to bring my classroom experience and  perspective to the boardroom. It is my desire to continue to work and advocate for our communities, students and all employees of our district. My mission is to ensure that every need is met. Our students, our most valued treasure, are indeed the future of Jackson County and I want our future to remain bright. 

I am always available. If you have any questions or concerns you can reach me at 850-209-5134, or via email at gallowayforjcsb@gmail.com. You can also visit my Facebook page, Galloway For JCSB or web page http://www.davegallowayforschoolboard.com as well. Be sure to call or send me a text. I welcome the conversation!

I am humbly asking for your consideration, support and ultimately your vote as we work through the "interview process" to Election Day. 

Respectfully Yours,                                                                                                 Dave Galloway                                                                                               Candidate for District 5                                                                                          "Go For Galloway!"