Matthews announces retirement after 13 years as Barren County schools’ superintendent

By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1

Barren County Schools Superintendent Bo Matthews announced his retirement during the monthly Barren County Schools Board of Education meeting Thursday, Feb. 8. His retirement is effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Toward the end of the two hour meeting, during the other business section of the agenda, Matthews left his customary seat among the board members and stepped up to the podium to read from his prepared statement. It was a “bittersweet” moment as Matthews stepped up to the podium with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face.

“We are Barren County family,” Matthews said. “I’ve thought long and hard about the words that are on this [statement and] after much thought and prayer I have decided to retire at the end of this school year. It has been an honor to serve as your superintendent for the past 13 years. I cherish every role I’ve been blessed to play in this district. I will take away the fond memories of students in my classroom, players on my teams, kids on the bus I was driving and staff members I’ve worked beside.”

Though Matthews has had an extensive tenure as superintendent — according to him the average tenure of an individual in this role is 3 years, which makes him a “dinosaur” in the superintendent role — his experiences within the district began when he was a student. Matthews attended Hiseville Elementary from the first through eighth grade before graduating from Barren County High School.

After graduation he attended Western Kentucky University, which he graduated from in 1990, and began substitute teaching and driving buses for the Barren County district and others as well.

He served in numerous roles within the district including Hiseville Elementary School principal, middle school social studies and science teacher, and director of pupil personnel totaling 33 years of experience in the schools.

Matthews said it was his time as a student at Hiseville, and seeing the examples of his own teachers, that really jump-started his interest in teaching.

“After doing my eighth grade career report — which was on becoming an anesthesiologist — after doing that research I decided I’m not going to do that I’m going to be a teacher and a coach,” Matthews said. “[My teachers] made such an impact on me during my junior high time and I watch them and I remember looking at them as adults and seeing how much they enjoyed what they did and how they made a difference in my classmates’ lives and I thought ‘You know, that’s a good life right there.'”

He is most proud of the rigorous curriculum of the schools and the talented people that have brought the district were it is today.

“It’s not about accolades that I’ve gotten on my own,” Matthews said. “I’ve been lifted up on the shoulders of those who came before me and my staff. I recognize that. This is a district that has continued to raise the bar.”

Board chairperson Shelly Groce echoed the bittersweet nature of his retirement and commended his far-reaching positive impact.

“On behalf on the board we acknowledge the retirement of Mr. Matthews effective June 30, 2024 with sadness,” Groce said. “But as his friends we cheerfully celebrate with him and his family as this momentous occasion draws near. We’ve been blessed with his integrity, strength, leadership and godliness in guiding this district with the sole purpose of meeting the needs of every person…this district has grown and thrived through his dedication.”

Matthews said his retirement plans are still “a moving target” as there are many areas he wants to focus on like his family, his church, his farming and he wants to keep working, in some capacity, for public education.

“I really don’t have any plans that are set in stone,” Matthews said. “I plan to take care of a number of projects at home as most retirees will say. I’ve got some farming I’m going to pay more attention to. I’ve got family that I’d like to take better care of and hopefully I’ll have more time to do that and certainly more involvement in my church…and I still want to be connected to this school district; in public education…I don’t know what that’ll look like yet.”

As he walked back to his designated seat all those in attendance, from department heads to members of the board, rose to their feet and applauded.

In that same vein, the board authorized Groce to “negotiate and enter into a contract with a professional organization to assist with Superintendent Search” despite board member Mike Miller’s joke “if we don’t approve does that mean he can stay.”

Groce said she hasn’t taken any steps in the process and was waiting for board approval.

In the end, Matthews said he has greatly enjoyed his time as the superintendent and hopes to continue to be a part of the district where he can.

“Change is difficult,” Matthews said. “It’s been a difficult process for me but, speaking for myself, we get comfortable when things don’t change and life is in a constant state of change. The unknown can be exciting. It can be fearful but you have to have faith that there is a plan out there and you make yourself available to do the good while you can.”