After six years of service on the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board of Education, District 1 Director Chris Taylor announced his resignation effective at the end of the board’s Feb. 21 meeting. As the sitting president vacated his seat, he did so to several reflections on the progress made over the past six years, as well as a standing ovation from his fellow board members.
Taylor, who has been a large proponent of establishing and cementing a comprehensive strategic plan for the district, announced he would in the near future be moving to Utah, prompting his resignation, which was unanimously accepted by his fellow board members.
“I want to acknowledge you, Mr. Taylor, for the service you have provided to the Board of Education. I’ve appreciated the energy and effort you’ve put into your leadership and your representation of your community. It doesn’t go without notice that all of us up here realize not just the effort and energy that we put in, but also that our families and spouses put in,” said Board of Education President Theresa Phillips, while also acknowledging Taylor’s spouse, Holly Taylor, for all of her support.
Over the past six years, Lewis-Palmer School District 38 underwent much change and growth and benefitted through Taylor’s leadership through issues including the COVID-19 pandemic. His fellow board members, including Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz, reflected on his legacy.
“Serving on a board like ours takes commitment, patience, discipline and fortitude. It also takes family concurrence. You had all of those things, and you did them well. You relentlessly drove our team to create and follow and adjust our strategic plan,” Schwarz said. “You’ve donated your personal time, passion and energy for the benefit of our community and our country, and that service matters greatly.”
District 5 Director Matt Clawson added that Taylor has been “the epitome” of what every school member should be. Board Secretary Tiffiney Upchurch lauded Taylor for his relentless drive to put students first.
“Leadership is an action, not a position. And I would say Mr. Taylor you have certainly led by example, from the heart and for the kids. Over the last six years that I have gotten to work with you on this board, it has been such a journey,” Upchurch said, noting he would be greatly missed. “Mr. Taylor, you have left this district a better place than you found it. You certainly inspire, you advocate, you’ve asked the hard questions, you’ve encouraged all of us to look beyond and listen and learn and indeed dream.”
In reflecting on his time as a board member, Taylor shared that his passion has been serving for the benefit of the students, and he will continue to believe that the best thing anybody can do for a student is to share a love of learning. He also thanked his fellow board members for their service.
“I’m grateful for these six years. I’ve learned so much about the public school system, and I feel like now I’m ready to start, and yet, our next adventure awaits us. I want to thank the principals that I’ve been able to get to know, the teachers I’ve been able to visit, and I’m grateful to the administration. But I just want to say it again, I’ve absolutely loved serving with my fellow board members,” Taylor said. “What I’ve learned from them individually and what we as a group have been able to accomplish together. The beauty is we are a diverse group of people, and we don’t necessarily share the same perspective. That’s what I like, your differences, I learn from. Some of the best decisions we’ve made over time I know were not me, it was us.”
Taylor’s departure opens the seat for Director District 1, as well as the role of Board President. The Board of Education must fill this via appointment within 60 days of February 21, as well as hold a vote to reorganize the Board. A process to include applications and interviews will be solidified at the March 7 Board of Education work session, with an online application to be posted on March 8.