Fremont Dist. 79 superintendent to retire in 2010

Fremont Elementary District 79 Superintendent Rick Taylor said he plans to retire in June 2010.

District 79's leader since 2002, Taylor oversaw an era of explosive student population growth, facility expansion, financial adjustment and educational achievement. Despite all of the changes, he said his focus never wavered.

"I came to education for one purpose: to make a difference in the lives of children," he said. "It has been a marvelous opportunity to be here and I've enjoyed every minute of it. What a great way to end a career."

Taylor announced his retirement during Monday night's school board meeting.

As an educator for 35 years, Taylor has been a respected teacher, coach, principal and district leader in several central Illinois schools. But his accomplishments and personality in District 79 earned him the admiration of the entire 'Fremont family,'

"His down-home approachability and leadership style helped create a family atmosphere within the district," said Tami Forman, president of the Fremont School District Parent Teacher Organization. "He has been the patriarch of our great family and an absolute joy to work with."

When Taylor took over, Fremont was short on cash and in desperate need of expanded facilities.

By instituting a education-rate increase via referendum, Taylor avoided staff reductions without raising tax rates. Five years later, the $22 million bond referendum he supported enabled the construction of Fremont Intermediate School.

"Opening a new building and keeping the tax rate down was a huge achievement," said Fremont Elementary Principal Carol Bennett. "He did everything with the community, staff and most importantly the students in mind. That is Dr. Taylor in a nutshell."

Taylor asserts the educational improvements Fremont has made during his tenure overshadow the financial balancing-act he helped orchestrate.

By adding programs for preschoolers, English as a second-language students, gifted and struggling students, Taylor reached out to those in need of a guiding hand. He also instituted student assessment and strategic planning initiatives to ensure academic success remained a top goal for the district.

"District 79 is fortunate to have outstanding educators and the best parents that I could ever have imagined," he said. "People stay here for a reason: we dedicate ourselves because we care."

The school board now begins the search for Taylor's replacement.