ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County Schools Supt. Robert P. Taylor has been named the 2017 Sandhills Regional Superintendent of the Year, along with seven others from across the state. The award is made by the Sandhills Regional Education Consortium, which includes 13 public school systems and the Fort Bragg schools. The award is presented to an individual in each of the eight regions in the state who has shown tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of children and the community as a whole.
“This is a great honor to be selected by my colleagues to represent them as the regional superintendent of the year,” said Taylor.
These individuals are recognized regionally for strong leadership; creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students; personal and organizational communication skill; professionalism; constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills; professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team; community involvement; an understanding of regional, national, and international issues; and the success of students that has taken place during the evolution of tenure in their respective district.
Taylor, together with the seven other named regional superintendents of the year, will be presented to the North Carolina State Association of School Administrators in September as one of the finalists for the 2017 A. Craig Phillips State Superintendent of the Year. The state winner is chosen jointly by the North Carolina School Superintendents Association, the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, and the North Carolina School Boards Association, with support and sponsorship from worldwide education leader Scholastic.
In November, the NCASA selection committee will announce the winner of the 2017 A. Craig Phillips State Superintendent of the Year, who will then be presented to the American Association of School Administrators Blue Ribbon Panel of judges as a candidate for the 2017 National Superintendent of the Year Award. The national winner will be announced in March 2017.
Taylor said he feels strongly that one of the reasons for his success is the direct teamwork and collaborative efforts among staff at Bladen County.
“I know that we all share the same passion and commitment,” he said.
Taylor began his career in education more than 25 years ago and has served as Bladen County’s superintendent for the past five years.
Also at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, the board:
— Approved the advisory councils for Dublin Primary and Bladen Lake Primary.
— Made an amendment for the Other Special Revenue Fund for the budget.
— Approved the list of school treasurers.
— Renewed the student accident insurance policy.
— Passed a Teacher Assistant Evaluation Instrument.
— Approved a Beginning Teacher Support Program draft.