New elementary principal hired
Texas Tech University graduate and Lubbock educator John Gallagher was approved as the new principal for the Nancy Smith Elementary School campus during an early morning special session of the Albany ISD board of trustees on Thursday, April 4.
Gallagher was one of 26 candidates for the position, with seven selected by a seven-member committee made up mostly of elementary staff members.
According to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, the committee recommended three applicants, including Gallagher, for second interviews conducted by Scott.
“I made my recommendation to the board based on the committee discussion, as well as the second interviews,” said the superintendent.
After an hour and a half long closed session that included all seven trustees, Kelly Head made a motion to offer Gallagher a 12-month probationary contract with a salary of $60,000. Kalico Leech seconded the motion, which passed 5-0. Two board members had left the meeting because of work.
Gallagher, who met with the trustees that morning, accepted the offer.
“I’m pleased to have John as part of our Nancy Smith Elementary team,” said Scott. “His enthusiasm and passion for education are things that stood out to me, and I believe that he will be an excellent fit to the campus, meeting the needs of both students and staff.”
New Principal
Gallagher graduated from Tech in 2015 with a bachelor of science in multidisciplinary studies, specializing in English language arts, reading, and social studies for grades 4-8. He obtained his master of education in 2018 through Lubbock Christian University.
After spending the past four years as a teacher and coach at Evans Middle School, he served as an administrative intern for the campus this year while continuing to teach social studies.
Gallagher’s wife Daivis, also a Tech graduate, is a stay-at-home mom for their 13-month-old daughter Blayke.
“My family and I are really happy to be coming to Albany,” said the new principal. “I’ve looked into the data about the school, and I’m extremely excited to be in this district.”
Gallagher’s goal is to be in Albany full-time by June 1, although he is already planning several trips in the interim to help fill vacancies and for other events.
