LAKEPORT — With the new superintendent of schools taking office early, the Lake County Office of Education was able to use the savings to help cover employee health benefits.
Pam Cochrane, county clerk and auditor-controller, signed Wally Holbrook into office Wednesday at the Office of Education in Lakeport. He will be officially sworn in again in January. Office of Education employees, board members, family and supporters drank sparkling grape juice and had cookies in celebration after Holbrook was signed into office.
Holbrook said he was excited to start the job early.
“This is the time when good things happen, at the beginning of the school year,” he said.
Holbrook said he was happy to join the staff at the Office of Education.
“I”m so glad to be part of this group,” Holbrook said. “I really want to be part of the team here.”
By joining together, he thinks they can thrive while offering opportunities to students, parents and staff, he said.
Holbrook has been meeting with districts and departments and visiting school sites, he said.
“I visited most of the schools on the first day of school,” Holbrook said. “That was really fun.”
He also started a review of every program and service through the office to implement a new plan in January, he said.
Holbrook thanked Former Superintendent Dave Geck for his help.
Geck said four years ago he was doing the same thing, taking office early.
“I bet I was thinking just as Wally is thinking, ?Oh my god,”” he said.
Geck pinned a County Superintendent Association pin to Holbrook”s suit jacket after he took the oath.
Geck said he and Holbrook agreed the newcomer would take office when he was ready instead of waiting until January, Geck said.
“He worked really hard in July and August,” Geck said.
He thinks having Holbrook take office at the time school is starting is best.
“It”s a good transition,” Geck said.
Holbrook said though there are challenges ahead, he thinks staff and the community can overcome them.
“I”m just so excited about being able to start at the start of the school year,” Holbrook said. “It”s a high energy time.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
