McNeel praised by friends, colleagues as humble visionary

Corbin Schools Superintendent Ed McNeel holds a street sign bearing his name. It was presented to him at a special retirement ceremony held in his honor Sunday.

Outgoing Corbin Schools Superintendent Ed McNeel said when he officially retires in December, he hopes he will be remembered for laying the groundwork for one of the top performing school districts in the state to do even better.

McNeel was the keynote speaker at a special ceremony held at The Corbin Center Sunday to celebrate his upcoming retirement.

“When I’m gone, I want Corbin to become the best district. That’s the legacy I want,” McNeel said to the crowd. “I have full confidence in that.”

The event was a surprisingly candid and emotional reflection on McNeel not only as a Superintendent, but also as a husband and father to his wife and four children, and as a friend and mentor to many others.

Misty Stutz, McNeel’s oldest daughter, called him her moral center, and said he has the same integrity at home that he is known for in his professional life.

“Whenever I have been in a position where I have to make a tough decision, I think to myself, what would my dad do?” she said.
“You have no idea how proud we are of him,” Stutz added. “He’s not only an amazing superintendent, he’s an amazing husband and father as well.”

Stutz said her father was always intensely proud of Corbin Schools. She lives in Lexington, but just about every time she would come to Corbin to visit, she said he would show her the latest project the school system was undertaking.

McNeel has served as the Superintendent of the Corbin Independent School District since 1992. During his tenure the Corbin School District vaulted to one of the top five districts in the state. He is the longest serving superintendent in Kentucky.

David Johnson, Executive Director of the South East South Central Educational Cooperative, and former Superintendent of the Harlan Independent School System, praised McNeel for his innovate approach to leadership and willingness to network with other superintendents to garner ideas for his own school district.

“He always had the vision about how things could be better, not just for Corbin but for the entire region and state,” Johnson said.
“He loves Corbin schools. Whenever he is out … he’s bragging on you.”

Johnson said McNeel had “true humility” and that his natural magnetism, leadership style and approachability were keys to his success.

“He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone else,” Johnson said. “He is who he is. Those who get to know him, love him.”
Former Corbin School Board members Dr. Carmel Wallace and Lisa Cleary also praised McNeel for his leadership during their time serving with him.

“He just has so many characteristics I admire,” Cleary said. “I’ve learned so much from him.”

Current Corbin School Board Chair Kim Croley said she “learns something from him every time we meet.”

“Students are job one, every day,” Croley said. “That is what I will remember most about working with Ed McNeel.”

Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney praised McNeel as an asset to the community.

Eighty-second District State Representative Regina Bunch presented McNeel with a special citation from the Kentucky House of Representatives.

He was presented with a Kentucky senate citation from Rhonda Gabbard, an administrative assistant at the Board of Education.
Croley gave McNeel a special gift — a red street sign that said “Ed McNeel Way.” It is the name that will be given to the entrance road to the new Corbin Middle School.

For his part, McNeel struck a modest tone and said the success of the school district was due to the hard work of faculty and staff, continued community support and a peaceful, prosperous relationship between he and members of the Board of Education.

“It’s not because of me,” McNeel said. “We were allowed to get the very best people and we strived to do that, and then we get out of the way and let them do their job.”

“They lead us and they will continue to lead us.”

On Monday, a community-wide event was held for anyone that wanted to celebrate McNeel’s retirement.