By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

This week, at his last Board of Education meeting as superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools, Lou Taylor gave an emotional goodbye to the academic system that has been a part of his life for 60 years.

Taylor announced his retirement in January. Effective July 1, the superintendent will round out a 41-year career in education and a 60-year involvement in Worcester County Public Schools.

In an emotional address to the Worcester County Board of Education at its Tuesday, June 17 meeting, the last of his tenure, Taylor said his goodbyes to school system personnel with whom he has had the “distinct pleasure” of working over the years.

“Thank you to this board and all the board members before you,” Taylor said. “Thank you to our school leaders and central office leaders, who inspire, and I see this every day, our staff and students to be their best every day.”

The superintendent continued, expressing his gratitude for his executive leadership team.

“We have been through some of the most challenging times together that this system has ever experienced,” Taylor shared. “I’m so grateful to have had all of you by my side as we navigated them … I wouldn’t have been who I am, leading through the pandemic and this political climate that we’ve had, without your expertise. This is a heartfelt thank you.”

“Thank you to our teachers,” Taylor added. “You’re the reason our students are not only learning academically but learning to be the greatest versions of themselves.”

Taylor also thanked Ivory Smith, the president of the Worcester County Education Support Personnel Association, and Worcester County Teachers Association President Beth Shockley-Lynch for their stellar support.

“You have been wonderful, and still are wonderful to work with,” he said, addressing Shockley-Lynch and Smith. “I don’t know where I’d be without you … I think we are the envy of the state, that the superintendent gets along well with the leadership of our associations. It’s because of the professionalism of you two that make that happen. I will be forever grateful.”

Taylor thanked the school system’s families and urged them to remain involved. Finally, he said goodbye to the facilities’ young learners enrolled in WCPS now and throughout his long career.

“Most importantly, I want to thank the thousands of students I have had the opportunity to work with for 41 years,” Taylor said. “Worcester County has great students. They have forever. For the past 41 years, I have had the chance to walk beside them, watch them grow, and to excel in areas that none of us thought were possible.”

The superintendent’s ties to WCPS began as a five-year-old kindergarten student in 1965 at Ocean City Elementary School.

“Worcester County Public Schools is and will always be a large part of my heart,” a teary-eyed Taylor said. “Thank you for 60 of my 65 years, learning and growing. Because I started as a five-year-old, I remember distinctly, on 89th Street in Ocean City, my mom walking me to the bus stop to get on the bus that day, and it has been an absolute joy since, both personally and professionally. I leave all of you with this: May God bless you, may God bless our kids, our families, our community, and may God always bless Worcester County Public Schools.”

Taylor grew up in Worcester County and eventually graduated from Stephen Decatur High School. He began his career as a physical education teacher at Berlin Middle School, now Berlin Intermediate School, before accepting an assistant principal position.

In 1991, Taylor moved to SDHS as an assistant principal before advancing to the facility’s principal and leading the school for 17 years. Under his reign, SDHS became the first Maryland Blue Ribbon School in Worcester County.

Taylor also established the Worcester County Education Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing student achievement in WCPS. Before his current role, Taylor served as chief operating officer and was named superintendent in 2016. His nine years in the position will end on July 1.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Worcester County Board of Education members expressed their gratitude for Taylor’s years of service.

“I came on board in 2016 just after [Taylor] came on as and was appointed superintendent,” said Elena McComas, board member. “… He honestly breathes Worcester County Public Schools … have we had our differences?… I drove him crazy, and he drove me crazy. But, we were able to sit down and work out our differences together, and that is the sign of a wonderful leader … He also had the unique ability to surround himself with outstanding people and then let them do their jobs. Many times, that is a rare gift in leaders. We are touted as one of the best school districts in Maryland, and in large part it is because of [Taylor].”

Board member Jon Andes, former county superintendent of schools, addressed Taylor’s parents, who were in attendance Tuesday afternoon, sitting in the front row at their son’s final board meeting as superintendent.

“Thank you for making him who he is, because without you, he wouldn’t be who he is,” Andes told Taylor’s folks. “I thank you, I praise you, I commend you for making this five-year-old going to kindergarten, you put him on the bus … When you put him on that bus, you probably never realized that, so many years later, he would be one of the most highly regarded and successful superintendents of schools in Maryland. It’s because of you.”

The goodbyes continued, rounding out the superintendent’s last meeting.

“I want to thank you for your kindness and your love … I love you, you’re my friend,” said board member Donald Smack.

“[Taylor] and I have been kicking around a little longer than the rest of you, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the time we’ve had together and the leadership he’s demonstrated … I believe your service will serve as a model for future superintendents,” member William Gordy added.

Todd Ferrante, president of the board of education, also said goodbye, recalling his long relationship with Taylor.

“When I was younger, I knew who Lou Taylor was, but as time has gone on, I’ve gotten to know more of who Lou Taylor is as a person,” he said. “He wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves Worcester County Public Schools. His leadership has shone through in the last nine years he has taken on this superintendent position…he has developed the trust of the teachers, support staff, bus drivers, and everyone he has come in contact with.”

According to Ferrante, Taylor is the reason he became involved with the school system in his professional life. Around 2011, Taylor came to him about starting the Worcester County Education Foundation, which has raised over $1 million for the school system to date.

“His passion is contagious; he’s going to be missed,” the president said. “On behalf of this board, I want to thank you for all you’ve done … You get up every day thinking about how you’re going to improve the school system. You haven’t lost it. I have a feeling that no matter what happens in the future, you will still be somewhere, supporting Worcester County Public Schools.”

When Taylor retires next month, the school system’s current chief operating officer, Annette Wallace, will fill the vacant seat.

“We know we have another great leader who is going to take the reins and do a fantastic job,” Ferrante noted.

As for Taylor’s future, he acknowledged in April on Ocean 98 radio he wanted to “recharge” but is strongly weighing a political post. He said, “If I can get rested and I can get rejuvenated, possibly running for District 6 county commissioner. All the stars have to line up.”