Newark, MD, January 21, 2025– Worcester County Public Schools’ (WCPS) Superintendent Lou Taylor announced today his intent to retire from leading the school system effective June 30, 2025.
During the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting, Taylor was overcome with emotion and gratitude for the school system of which he has been a part since entering school as a kindergartener.
“My entire life has been intertwined with this school system since its start,” Taylor said. “I proudly attended these schools as a student, and since beginning my career as a teacher way back in 1983, I have loved every single position I have held along the way.”
Taylor was named superintendent in 2016. Prior to the superintendency, Taylor’s storied experience in the school system includes teaching physical education and coaching athletics, assistant principalship, leading Stephen Decatur High School as principal for 17 years, and serving as Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, Taylor established the Worcester County Education Foundation, a non-profit foundation which has donated nearly $250,000 to the school system, as well as served on a variety of community organizations and boards.
Taylor also shared his proudest accomplishments during his time as superintendent. “Despite the challenges that have come our way, I truly believe that we have made such positive progress,” he said before detailing the school system’s outstanding performance on state accountability measures, the technological transformation WCPS has undergone, and the school system’s continued investment in its teachers and staff.
While non-committal about his future beyond retirement, Taylor thanked the Board for its support and wished them well in the upcoming search process.
“I have every confidence that this Board will select a leader, who will – like I did – face the formidable challenge of pushing this already successful school system to great new heights, and they will not only meet those expectations, but exceed them.” Taylor said.
The Board is expected to announce the next steps in the national search process for the next superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools in the near future. However, the Board expressed its gratitude for Taylor’s leadership.
“Mr. Taylor has dedicated his entire 41-year career to this school system and has left an indelible mark,” Board of Education President Todd Ferrante said. “He has led this school system through trials and challenges that no superintendent before him has ever faced. From successfully navigating our students and staff through the pandemic to advocating for and implementing the resources to help our staff support our students as they experience growing mental health challenges because of the pandemic, we are deeply grateful for Taylor’s outstanding service but feel confident that whatever his next journey is, that he will continue to support Worcester County Public Schools.”
“While Lou and his leadership will be greatly missed, his dedication to and unwavering pride in the school system will be a big part of Lou's legacy,” said Board of Education Vice President Bill Buchanan. “Moving forward, we will search for the qualities necessary to keep WCPS on its positive trajectory. It won’t be an easy task, but our future generations are depending on the decisions that this board will make. We take that responsibility very seriously.”