Dave Galloway, longtime educator and resident of Grand Ridge, Florida stepped down as Jackson County Education Association President and announced his candidacy for Jackson County, Florida School Board on Thursday, May 6, 2012 at the annual Educator’s Dinner in Marianna, making the following remarks.
‘Thanks to everyone who came tonight from near and far to help us recognize the incredible learning that takes place in our Jackson County schools EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. No matter what, including a Category 5 Hurricane or a global pandemic, our schools and teachers continuously support our communities and prepare our students for what lies ahead. But we do not do this work alone.
We have some incredible support staff that takes care of our schoolhouses and mans our offices. A special thanks to the mechanics and techs who keep the plumbing and the a/c working! We have bus drivers – a moment of prayer for those brave souls might be appropriate – that traverse hundreds of miles or roads, many of which are dirt roads, carrying precious cargo, our students to and from school twice a day. And we have mechanics and other support positions that keeps our fleet rolling.
Thankfully we have an administration that, like teachers, always puts our children first. They also recognize your efforts that make our schools successful, and the benefit of having a working, collaborative relationship with our association and members. This recognition comes from the JCEA’s continual efforts. Having both a Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent who began their careers as classroom teachers has decidedly helped build our relationship.
I want to take a point of personal privilege and personally thank Superintendent Benton and our Deputy Superintendent Mrs. McDaniel for their willingness to always have the conversation and work with JCEA to find solutions that are fair and workable for students and teachers alike. It’s not always easy work, but I believe that more often than not, we have found common ground in the interest of our students.
Joining us here tonight are some friends from the FEA, including the entire leadership team of Andrew, Carole, and Nandi and some of the absolute hardest-working people I have had the pleasure to work with anywhere, our FEA staff members…Or The Jedi Knights of Tallahassee. Most people have no idea of the work that transpires behind the scenes of conducting, what I like to call “Union Bid’ness.” When we go to the table to negotiate for better working conditions, advocate for a member, or defend the contract, we have the entire weight of this organization behind us. Right here in Jackson County, we have our go to guy, Tony Gentile. I go to Tony as the need arises. Just ask Debi! Sometimes that’s after office hours or during the weekends.
And Tony always takes the call, always. He has been instrumental in upping our negotiation game, making more resources available locally and increasing our membership. Tony is a High Speed, Low Drag Service Unit Director and a Union Man down to his bones. When the restructuring of The Central Panhandle Service Unit was being discussed, we only had one condition; That Gentile stays put. I can neither confirm nor deny, but I think the phrase “There might be a cutting” was used during this discussion. No matter, Tony is here to stay, and we are lucky and grateful to have him working with us. Thanks, Tony, for all you have done and will continue to do for our members.
The JCEA is not “The Dave and Keith Show.” While we certainly have our skills and I like to think a certain amount of charm, it’s all of us, from our members to the stellar FEA crew that gets this work done. Our efforts are the reason we can have this banquet tonight. Many State governments have been successful in severely limiting teacher unions, but not in Florida. For the record, they tried really hard in this Session with SB 1014. Our own Sen. Gainer was instrumental in killing off this legislative hit job.
Thanks to your calls and emails, Senator Gainer was a Hard No on SB 1014 and it never got out of committee meetings. Please send him another email or make the call thanking him for his support in our hour of need. Now we have taken our share of blows, over the years, but we are still in the game as a strong,150,000-member union across Florida.
Every year during Session, the battle for public education rages. Many of our lawmakers want to privatize our schools and make way for charter and voucher schools. As professional educators we know this is not in the best interest of many, many students and we are vocal and relentless in our opposition. We are the Thin Grey Line (think “pencil lead”) that stands between some legislators and the tax dollars that fund our schools. So every year we rise and fight for our students, our schools, our teachers, and support staff professionals. This does not have us on many Christmas Card lists in Tallahassee, but we live to teach our kids and to fight for our students and schools another day.
Working as a JCSB teacher and serving as your President have simply been some of the best years of my life. My only regret about teaching is I got to the dance a little late. But like all good things it must come to an end. And now it is my time to move on. I can step down knowing that our work will continue and be in the best of hands with Keith Hunter stepping in to finish my term in accordance with our By-Laws. A Vice President will be appointed by The Executive Committee when he assumes the presidency.
Keith and I, and along with our entire leadership team including Treasurer Lizabeth Wilson, Secretary Heather Lewis, and all our Building Reps have worked hand in hand for ten years building up the JCEA. I step down, knowing a good, good man, my brother Keith Hunter will be at the helm. Keith has been instrumental in our successes. His leadership evident, his character impeccable. There will be continuity in our union leadership and our successes will continue. Please offer Keith your full support as he takes on his new role as president, which is never an easy or glamorous job.
I want to take a minute and thank the one person who has been my rock for the last 33 years, and really has made all this possible for me; My Best Gal, my wife Cay. I was one of the lucky ones who found a Queen who has fought these battles by my side and has always had my six. Cay has always been in the thick of our union work, showing more Grace and sharing more time than any wife should be expected. The least I can do is offer her a round of applause . . .
As this door closes for me, I’m going to work to open another one. Tonight, in front of my union friends and family I’m announcing my candidacy for the District 5 School Board race in 2022. I hope that my work in the classroom and as your President has earned your trust and support but most importantly your trust to move from the Classroom to the Boardroom in 2022.
Teachers, support staff, and students need a louder voice where the decisions are made. I hope you will allow me to become that voice. I expect this to be a tough, hard-fought race, but with your help, the possibility can become a reality. Join me and Dare Mighty Things. You’ll be hearing more from me as my campaign develops. If you live in District 5, I have a petition card I would like you to sign.
In closing, I wish everyone well as another testing season and school year draws to a close, please leave tonight knowing that your work and efforts are seen, and the appreciation runs deep for all that you do!
