By Mia Khatib
mia.khatib@triangletribune.com
CARY — Robert P. Taylor was sworn into office Sept. 29 as the new Wake County Public School System superintendent. The Mississippian landed the role after being denied superintendency confirmation in his home state earlier this year.
Taylor has served in various administrative and instructional roles across North Carolina, including deputy state superintendent, Bladen County Schools superintendent, and positions in Clinton County Schools and Cumberland County Schools. His goal now is to level up Wake County public schools.
“Wake County will not be the flagship district in North Carolina. It will be the flagship and the model in this nation of how you provide an education for a growing and diverse community where everyone feels valued and this is the choice they make,” Taylor said about the state’s largest school district.
Taylor acknowledged educators and leaders who have been instrumental in his growth and said it’s because of them that he learned the true nature of the superintendency, as well as how to work with the school board and develop principals and teachers. He is focused on “instructional greatness” and ensuring all students can access the curriculum.
“Your role and responsibility is not to grow a classroom, not to grow a school, but to grow a district and an entire community to get them to engage in what it means to have a healthy and robust school system,” he said. “Great teachers made the difference in my life… and that is what every child deserves when they come to our public schools.”
Taylor’s new role will award him an annual base salary of more than $300,000. He plans to spend the next six months learning more about the community and engaging with community members.
“We all know, those of us who work in education, that the No. 1 factor for student success is a highly qualified and excellent teacher,” N.C. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt told Taylor at the ceremony. “That’s exactly why this group selected you because you know that this is about students, and you know how to put students first.”
School board chair Lindsay Mahaffey added that it was his commitment to children that landed Taylor the job, and ensuring every child has access to an excellent education and wonderful adults “starts at the top.”
