Celebrating a new chapter for Superintendent Tom Gambrel

David Saylor • April 30, 2025
Superintendent Tom Gambrel and President Dr. DJ Washington.

Following the recent retirement of Superintendent Waylon Allen ’93, another dedicated Bell County leader and Union alumnus is preparing to close a meaningful chapter in his career. Tom Gambrel ’98, Superintendent of Bell County Schools, has announced his upcoming retirement. Known for his unwavering commitment to students and educators, Gambrel leaves behind a legacy defined by perseverance, student-focused leadership, and lasting impact on the Bell County community.


Gambrel’s journey began not in front of a classroom but behind the scenes as a custodian. While working to support his family, he chose to attend Union Commonwealth University (then Union College) as a nontraditional student, determined to pursue a career in teaching. With his mother having graduated from Union in the mid-1980s and the campus conveniently located for commuting, it was the perfect fit.


When asked about his experience as a nontraditional student, he recalled, “I was never treated any differently than the folks that lived on campus. The staff and the teachers were always very helpful to me.”

Gambrel’s determination to succeed was evident throughout his time at Union. In his final year, however, he faced a significant challenge. He needed to complete 21 credit hours in a single semester before moving on to student teaching. When he proposed the idea to the registrar’s office, they insisted it couldn’t be done saying, “You can’t take 21 hours.” Gambrel, however, was unwilling to delay his degree completion knowing that any setback would also delay his path to the classroom and his ability to better support his family.


Faced with this challenge, Gambrel took his case to the university’s then president, Jack Phillips. Determined to make his dream a reality, he explained his situation and the importance of staying on track. He further justified it by explaining, “The worst thing that could happen is I drop a class.” In response, Phillips gave Gambrel the chance to prove himself, saying, “I’ve never done this before, but I’m going to let you do it. I’m retiring this year, so good luck to you.” Gambrel went on to successfully complete the daunting 21-hour semester, graduate in the spring of 1998, and begin his new teaching career that fall.


Bird's-eye view of Bell County's multisport softball and soccer field.

Gambrel moved on to an administrative role sometime after he began teaching wherein he oversaw different programs and facilities before ultimately becoming the Bell County superintendent in January of 2020. The timing for this new position, however, was anything but ordinary. Gambrel’s appointment coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought unprecedented challenges to education. As a new superintendent, he was thrust into navigating the complexities of remote learning, ensuring the safety of students and staff, and adapting to rapidly changing circumstances.


[PHOTO: Bell County's multisport softball and soccer field]


Despite the troubles of the pandemic, Gambrel remained steadfast in his commitment to the district. Through these experiences, Gambrel grew as a leader, gaining the skills and perspective needed to lead in times of uncertainty. “It’s just giving the right people the right opportunity is how that happens,” Gambrel explained, emphasizing the importance of empowering others to make a difference during challenging times.
Bird's-eye view of Bell County's multisport baseball and football field.

Turning to the present, Gambrel is now preparing for retirement with a new superintendent expected to take on his role by May 1st. Gambrel will, however, be remaining on as a superintendent consultant for two months as the new superintendent settles in. Reflecting on his next chapter, Gambrel shared, “I’m looking forward to new challenges and adventures. I don’t know that I’m finished with education, but I’d like to take a little break from it.”


Outside of his official retirement, he hopes to stay involved in education in other ways such as reading to students during Dr. Seuss week or offering advice to staff in navigating potential challenges. Additionally, Gambrel plans to pursue a new career in HVAC repair, marking a significant career shift as he explores new opportunities in a hands-on trade.


[PHOTO: Bell County's multisport baseball and football field]


As Gambrel prepares to step away from his leadership role, he reflects on the accomplishments that defined his tenure. One of the projects he takes particular pride in is the addition of new multi-purpose fields at Bell County High School. For years, the county had only one football field that served all levels of football as well as soccer. Recognizing the need for expanded facilities, Gambrel led the effort to install high-quality turf on both the baseball and softball fields, transforming them into versatile spaces. The result was two new multi-sport fields — one designed for both baseball and football, and another shared by softball and soccer. Gambrel noted that this dual-use design is only the second of its kind in the state of Kentucky.

“We’ve tried to give them the best facilities, we’ve tried to give them the best education that we possibly could, and I think we left the district in better shape than when we took it over,” he said, proud of the progress made under his leadership.


While it's true he may be leaving the daily responsibilities of running the district behind, his legacy of dedication to students and educators will continue to resonate for years to come.

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