Ocean City Schools Superintendent To Retire After 15 Years

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Schools Superintendent Kathleen Taylor announced that she will retire from the district on Aug. 1 after 15 years at the helm.

Taylor announced her retirement in a letter to the school community on Friday.

“As superintendent of the Ocean City School District, I have had the privilege and good fortune to work with a progressive and supportive Board of Education, a knowledgeable, student-centered administrative team, and dedicated collaborative faculty and staff, who have the best interest of students as their top focus," Taylor said.

With Taylor at the helm, the district adopted a strategic plan focused on equity, a full-day preschool, and an expansion of college and career options.

The district also implemented adaptable technologies and innovative programs, an expansion of sports, visual and performing arts programs, and a focus has been placed on mental health supports and services for PK-12 students.

Throughout the letter, Taylor said she will miss interacting with students every day.

Following her retirement, she said she will continue to be an advocate for students in other professional avenues.

“Every day I champion children, from witnessing them learning, planning for their successes, tying their shoes in the hallways, giving high-fives, attending their games and performances, celebrating accomplishments, cheering them on to be the best that they can be, to sending them personal notes to recognize the differences they made in our community,” she said.

Over the past year, Taylor observed the pandemic’s impact on schooling. Education departments are adopting new, flexible school environments to help each student learn, according to Taylor.

"Therefore, retiring now is a perfect time," Taylor said. "The school district is ready for another visionary superintendent, one who can continue to lead this district, continue to challenge the status quo and maximize the benefits of this evolutionary time for the next generation of students."

In her retirement, she looks forward to spending more time with her family and grandchildren.

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