Shelbyville Central Schools hosts reception to honor McLeod’s remarkable career

The past and present came together Wednesday for Debby McLeod when an assortment of co-workers, family and friends assembled at the Shelbyville Central Schools central office to recognize her near half-century of work on behalf of the school system.

McLeod, who retired on Aug. 5 and marked exactly 48 years on the job, was genuinely moved by the demonstration of appreciation and support.

“I am extremely touched, blessed and humbled by this today,” said McLeod. “I could never explain just how much this means to me.”

McLeod worked as the secretary/executive assistant for the school’s special education department, most recently under Director of Student Services Andy Hensley.

“It would not be possible to measure Debby’s value to the school system,” Hensley said at Wednesday’s reception. “She has done so much in so many ways for so long. She is irreplaceable.”

Debby VanCleve McLeod is the daughter of Gene and Marylin Vancleve. She was born in Shelbyville, attended Pearson Elementary School, Shelbyville Junior High School, and Shelbyville High School, graduating in 1976.

“I had tremendous friends growing up who I value so much to this day,” she said. “Theresa Sexton became my best friend in junior high and we still share a very close friendship.” Sexton’s father, Gene Sexton, was the junior high school principal for 22 years and is a member of the Shelbyville High School Alumni Hall of Fame. Sexton had six daughters and routinely referred to Debby as his seventh daughter.

SCS office manager Kathleen Coulston hired McLeod for the position two months after her high school graduation. Her initial duties included typing student psychology reports and eventually expanded into virtually all aspects of student data entry. McLeod commented that the computer age allows for much easier information entry than the old electric typewriter she worked with in the late 1970s.

She also managed logistics for the department’s transportation program for a period, even driving students in school vans when circumstances dictated.

McLeod moved a great deal with her job over her career, but never out of Shelbyville.

“Special education operated from five different sites during my time there,” relates McLeod. “I started in what is now the town hall across from the library, which used to be the school administration building, moved through three other locations and finished here at the current central office.”

The lifetime Shelbyville resident has also weathered some extremely formidable personal challenges. Her sister Kathy’s son, Zach, was diagnosed with cancer in 1991 at the age of six and passed away in August of the following year.

“That was devastating for our family,” McLeod said. “For me, nothing will ever be as difficult as dealing with that tragedy with Zach.”

She has persevered through battles with cancer in 2004 and again in 2018.

“That whole experience was very scary and painful, but it made me a much stronger person,” she said. Debby has since recovered and enjoys good health today.

McLeod admits that she will miss the job and the fine people she regularly worked with as well as the students.

“When I was working out of the high school, the life skills students were right across the hall,” she said. “They have a true appreciation for life. They always brightened my day.”

In retirement, Debby will continue to pursue her schedule of activities such as taking tickets at athletic events and serving as one of the primary organizers for her high school class reunions.

“We have had a class reunion every five years and our 50^th is coming up in 2026,” she said.

McLeod declares that the most positive benefit to retirement is having more time for family and friends. She looks forward to much more time with son Ian, Cameron, and grandchild Paisley as well as with sister Kathy and her family.

“My mother is in assisted living and I will now have more time to be with her,” said McLeod. “My brother Bruce lives in the Houston area and I hope to be able to see him more often as well.”

Those who know her can attest to the fact that Debby McLeod’s diligence and goodwill are always on display. And on this Wednesday afternoon, SCS administration, teachers, office staff, family, and friends gathered to honor Debby McLeod, who seemed a bit overwhelmed by it all.

“I went to Pearson with Mark Campbell and Randy Montgomery, junior high with Randy Coffey and high school with Gerald Clements,” she said. “I am so thankful that they came.”

Debby McLeod’s essence defies any easy description. She consistently exceeds the norm and goes beyond to support and enhance those around her. For Shelbyville Central Schools, for 48 years she has been more than an employee. She has been a presence; a presence that will prove irreplaceable.

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