H*5340 Concurrent Resolution, By J.M. Neal
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND EXTOL MR. JOHN TAYLOR, SUPERINTENDENT
 OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR HIS DEDICATION TO EDUCATING
 CHILDREN IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

   05/28/02  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-7
   05/29/02  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-15

TO COMMEND AND EXTOL MR. JOHN TAYLOR, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, FOR HIS DEDICATION TO EDUCATING CHILDREN IN SOUTH CAROLINA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Whereas, Mr. John Taylor has dedicated thirty-three years to educating children in South Carolina's public school system; and

Whereas, Mr. Taylor has been the Superintendent of the Lancaster School District since 1995 and previously served in many other capacities in several other school districts and for the South Carolina Department of Education; and

Whereas, in 2000, Mr. Taylor was recognized as an Outstanding Superintendent by the South Carolina School Board Association; and

Whereas, Mr. Taylor is actively involved in his schools by reading to children, visiting classrooms, and attending events, and keeps children and their families involved and informed through newsletters, columns, and speeches. He also promotes the joy of learning through his work as host of The Bug Show and Great Things Are Happening Here; and

Whereas, John Taylor's instructional leadership has resulted in outstanding advances for the Lancaster School District including grants for at-risk children and their families, for after school help, and an Early Head Start program for children from birth to three years old, increased school allocations for books and periodicals, implemented homework centers and the Four-Blocks language arts program in elementary schools, and many other programs that benefit students and the learning process; and

Whereas, the instructional support and general aesthetic appeal of the schools in John Taylor's district have improved during his tenure through a five-year capital improvement plan, staggering school start times to make the best use of the buses, and starting the school year in early August so secondary schools finish first semester before the winter break and allowing all students to receive an additional two weeks of instruction before standardized testing; and

Whereas, Mr. Taylor has taken dramatic steps to encourage the employment of excellent personnel through a Teacher Attendance Incentive Program, increased minority recruitment efforts, scheduled summer workshops for more effective professional development, established a National Board Certification Scholarship Program and an awards program called Celebrate Great Teaching Program; and

Whereas, Mr. Taylor received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Davidson College and a Master of Education in Educational Administration, an Educational Specialist in Educational Administration, and is working on his dissertation for Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, it is with great pride and admiration that the members of the General Assembly recognize Mr. John Taylor of the Lancaster School District for his outstanding enthusiasm and commitment to education. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, commend and extol Mr. John Taylor, Superintendent of the Lancaster County School District, for his dedication to educating children in South Carolina's public schools.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr. John Taylor, Superintendent of the Lancaster County School District.