The Corbin Independent Board of Education concluded its board meeting last Thursday by recognizing outgoing board members Todd Childers, Dr. Keith Gibson and Stephen Mulberry, who were attending their last meeting as board members.
All three opted not to seek re-election this year and are leaving the board at the end of the month.
Superintendent Dave Cox noted that the trio represent 36 years of total experience on the board.
“They are hard working guys. People ask me all the time what makes Corbin so special. Why is it different?” Cox noted. “You can’t quantify that. What you can say is this. Not me, but the people that run this place are smart people. We have smart board members. They have common sense. They don’t get addled by public opinion. They hold their own and they do what they think is right. These are folks, who truly, truly care about kids.”
Board member Paul Croley agreed noting that the three outgoing board members “always put kids first,” and that he is going to miss them.
Board member Carcille Burchette added that she is going to miss all three, who have put in their time and worked hard.
“It has been an honor to serve on this board with them,” Burchette said.
Former board member Kim Croley, who will be serving on the board again starting in January, thanked the three outgoing board members.
“They have done a yeoman’s amount of work,” she said. “They have taken our district so far ahead of what anybody would imagine for a town the size of Corbin. We have done it in a very fiscally responsible way because we had already academically made the choices to spend money to catch our students up after Covid.”
The three outgoing board members were presented plaques of appreciation, which officials noted were made locally.
Gibson said he feels fortunate and appreciative of the community for allowing him to serve two terms on the board.
Mulberry and Childers echoed similar sentiments.
“No matter how good our facilities are, it all comes down to people. We have wonderful people, who care about kids. We have smart people, who make decisions about what is best for our students opposed to politics,” Childers added. “It has been a great run for us. Thank you for allowing us to serve. I couldn’t have enjoyed it anymore.”
Current board members also recognized newly elected board members Ben Childers, David Hannah and Croley, who will take office on Jan. 1, 2025.
“We look forward to your service. They will get sworn in in January,” noted Todd Childers.
