During the Murray Independent Board of Education June meeting, Coy Samons, MISD superintendent, was honored by the MISD board members for his eight-year exemplary service with the Murray Independent School District. Samons was presented with a plaque Dr. Richard Crouch, MISD Board chair. Crouch said when Coy Samons was appointed Superintendent of the Murray Independent School District in 2017, he shared his student creed with the district's administration.
“A student is the most important person in any school.
A student is not an interruption of our work—he or she is the purpose of it.
A student is not just a statistic. He or she is a flesh-and-blood human being with feelings and emotions like ourselves.
A student is one who comes to us with needs and/or wants. It’s our job to fill them.
A student is deserving of the most courteous and attentive treatment that we can provide.
A student is the lifeblood of this and every other school. Without him or her, we would have to close our doors.”
This principle reflects Samons 37-year Distinguished Educational Career, where he has served in a variety of roles throughout the Commonwealth, with the belief that public schools should focus on preparing students for success in their next phase of life—continuing their education or entering the workforce.
Samons credits several teachers and coaches who encouraged him to pursue a college degree during his 1-12 public education years. He and his wife, Ann, a 32-year veteran of education who retired in 2022 from MHS as a counselor, are the first members of their respective families to receive a college education and share a desire to help mold the future of generations of students’ lives. “Ann and I both feel all students need quality opportunities to prepare them for the next phase of life.”
A native of Floyd County, Samons, has served for eight years as superintendent of the Murray Independent School District. He graduated from Betsy Layne High School and Alice Lloyd College before beginning his career as a teacher and coach in Pike County Schools, the June Buchanan School, and Leslie County Schools. In 1995, he became principal of Betsy Layne High School and then in 1998 principal at Prestonsburg High School, where he served for five years. He later coordinated the GEAR UP program at Morehead State University before assuming leadership roles at Paintsville Independent Schools, first as principal and then as superintendent for 13 years.
Samons ability to lead advancement, with visionary detail, and efficiency with limited resources and unlimited demand, achieved a growth district designation for the Murray Independent School District by the Kentucky Department of Education. This growth prompted continued growth and recognition, as the Murray accolades continued to accumulate under his superintendence. Including the MHS Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Class A Championship, and the KMEA State Marching Band Championship, the numerous MHS Track and Basketball state and regional titles, the Speech Team's national and state recognitions, and a state-recognized Volunteer Program that bolsters over 500 volunteers, logging more than 25,000 hours yearly.
Under the leadership of Superintendent Coy Samons, the Murray Independent School District experienced numerous transformative accomplishments.
During his tenure, the district received consistent recognition for excellence:
Eight consecutive years as one of the Best School Districts in Kentucky by Niche.com.
Murray High School earned the College Success Award from GreatSchools.org seven times, recognizing its effectiveness in preparing students for college and career opportunities.
Murray Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School and, in 2024, was recognized as one of America’s Healthiest Schools.
Murray Middle School received the National Title I Distinguished School designation.
All schools maintained consistent five-star ratings on the Kentucky Department of Education School Report Card.
Murray High School was honored with the Cognia Award of Excellence (NCA CASI, NWAC, SACS CASI) in celebration of 100 years of excellence (1924–2024).
Significant infrastructure and facilities upgrades were also implemented under Samons’ leadership. These achievements reflect a legacy of innovation, safety, academic excellence, and community investment.
Installation of security metal detectors at all campuses
Expansion of plumbing and electrical programs through a partnership with the Murray Independent/Calloway County Area Technology Center
Establishment of bus garage and updates to the transportation fleet
Launch of the Murray Middle Energy Project and Murray High School solar panel installation
Addition of new track facility lighting
A former KEDC Outstanding Superintendent and KDE Superintendent Mentor, Samons finalized the land acquisition for the new Murray Elementary School, and supported consistent salary increases for teachers, administrators.
Samons strongly feels that all staff vacancies should be filled by the best person available, and each individual school should do what is best for their students. Other significant growth opportunities noted under his leadership include: The implementation of the Murray Independent Future Farmers of America Chapter, which now has 200 members, the growth from 30 students to more than 100 students at the Area Technology Center, and the new Electrical Program at the Area Technology Center which enables students to receive their state assessment electrical-track certifications to begin work upon graduation.
Throughout his career, he has been a respected educational leader, holding key roles in the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation, and the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative. In the West Kentucky Educational Cooperative, he served a six-year term on the executive committee, and two years as chairman. Samons is a member of the Murray Rotary Club, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, Kentucky Association of School Administrators, Murray State University Superintendent Advisory Committee, Murray/Calloway County Chamber of Commerce, and West Kentucky Educational Cooperative Board of Directors.
A KHSAA Board of Control member representing regions one and two, Samons has also been actively involved in the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents, Kentucky Association of School Administrators, and Rotary International, among other civic and advisory groups. A steadfast advocate for education, he worked closely with legislators and served on the Kentucky Department of Education’s Superintendent Advisory Council.
Most recently, Samons was bestowed the honor of a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor, the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s highest honorary title, which recognizes individuals for their noteworthy accomplishments and service to the community, state, or nation. This distinction commends Samons as a goodwill ambassador whose impact has spanned Eastern to Western Kentucky.
Samons' ambassadorship leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to Kentucky's students and communities. The many innovative foundation stones he established during his tenure will continue to uphold the tradition, pride, and excellence of the Murray Independent School District. The continued success of the black and gold progression under his leadership is a testament to his visionary spirit. It is most evident in one of his most significant achievements: under his direction, the new Murray Elementary School project advanced significantly, including the acquisition of land to build a new facility designed to accommodate the district’s growing student population and commitment to quality education.
Samons said he is unsure about the next chapter of his life “However, I will continue to advocate for a quality public education for all.”
Samons and his wife, Ann, now a WKEC Grant Coordinator, are parents to Brooklyn Samons, a high school chemistry teacher at JFK Senior School in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, and Dr. Kerrigan Samons, a physician at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. Samons’ Eastern Kentucky educational roots followed him to Western Kentucky, providing quality education that met students’ needs and wants along their academic journey. The bar is set high, and now it’s our job to continue fulfilling these needs, for students who are the most important people in any school.