Brown new principal at Ponce de Leon HS

BONIFAY - Buddy Brown will return to Ponce de Leon High School as principal. Brown, who served as principal before going to the Holmes County School District office, is replacing David Davis.

Action was taken at the Holmes County School Board's regular meeting Tuesday night. Board members present voted unanimously on transferring Brown back to PdL, with Board Member Jason Motley absent on a mission trip.

Superintendent Steve Griffin said that Davis was offered an opportunity to replace Brown at the District office or to return to the classroom, and Griffin said he chose the classroom to teach American government and other classes.

Davis was involved in controversy when the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of Ponce De Leon student Heather Gillman and a "Jane Doe" alleging that their rights of free speech were violated when they supported gay rights. A federal judge in Panama City found in favor of the plaintiffs.

Ponce de Leon High School improved from a state grade of a C last year to a B this year, and only missed an A by three points.

The board also approved advertising the annual budget, with the next public hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on August 11, followed by a Board meeting. More on the Board and the budget in the July 30 edition of the Holmes County Times-Advertiser.