By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Worcester County Board of Education has entered the application phase in its search for a new superintendent of schools. Officials hope to find a replacement in May.

Reviews of the submitted interest forms will begin on March 31, and interviews will occur in early April.

The board of education has contracted with the nonprofit education group, Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), to oversee the search process.

According to the press release, the board and MABE created a job description that includes ideal qualities in a new superintendent.

Traits like being an ethical and decisive leader, an effective communicator, a consensus builder, and an experienced instructional and operational leader are necessary for applicants.

The school system’s website outlines additional criteria.

A Maryland Certification as superintendent is required, and a doctorate in education or a related field is preferred. Candidates should also exhibit knowledge of the Maryland education system, laws, funding, curriculum, and assessment with school and district-level experience. Furthermore, relocation to Worcester County is necessary if not already a community member.

The description lists a “competitive salary and benefits package with a minimum salary of $195,000” and adds that the offer amount will depend on the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

“Mr. Taylor is leaving the school system in the best possible condition – at the top in the state,” Board President Todd Ferrante said in the release. “Our stakeholders – our staff, parents, and community – want us to find someone who can keep our momentum and high levels of achievement moving forward. We want a school system leader who continues to put kids first.”

All applications are to be submitted to MABE. The school system’s release maintains that the Worcester County Board of Education is not accepting applications directly. Potential candidates can receive additional information about the role by contacting Edward Shirley, the lead consultant for the MABE superintendent search team, at eshirley@mabe.org or 410-841-5414.

Current Worcester County Public Schools Superintendent Lou Taylor announced his retirement at a board of education meeting on Jan. 21. His intention to step down follows a 41-year-long career in education.

Taylor began as a physical education teacher at Berlin Middle School, now known as Berlin Intermediate School, and later advanced to an assistant principal position. He moved to Stephen Decatur High School in 1991 as an assistant principal and then assumed the principal role.

Taylor led SDHS for 17 years.

During his tenure, the high school 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 position as superintendent, Taylor served as chief operating officer.

He was named school system head in 2016. In 2021, Taylor signed a new four-year contract at an annual salary of $210,000.

The school system hopes to find a new leader to replace the outgoing educator sometime this spring.

“It is important to this board that the upcoming transition in leadership flows smoothly,” Ferrante said in the release.