Bill Text: MS SC522 | 2019 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize Carolyn Stanford Taylor from Marks, Mississippi, as new State Superintendent of Wisconsin Public Schools.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-06 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC522 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2019-SC522-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Fillingane, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 522
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CAROLYN STANFORD TAYLOR FROM MARKS, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COMMENDING HER DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
WHEREAS, we join the education community of the State of Wisconsin in recognizing a Mississippi native who will lead the public schools of her adopted state. On January 7, 2019, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers appointed one of his deputies and a former Madison, Wisconsin, School Principal, Carolyn Stanford Taylor, as Wisconsin's first African-American State Superintendent of Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Stanford Taylor knew how important education was to her future growing up in the Town of Marks, Mississippi, in the segregated 1960s Deep South. Carolyn, along with her siblings, became one of a few African-American families to integrate the schools in Marks, Mississippi, in 1966. That early experience with pursuing education started Carolyn's lifelong journey that led to a distinguished career in higher education; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Stanford Taylor, who served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Division for Learning Support at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, was honored for her lifetime achievements with the prestigious 2018 Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award during a ceremony May 31 at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Carolyn celebrated her 2018 Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award with family and friends at the Wisconsin State Capitol. "Carolyn is a compassionate and impactful leader who is integral in our agency's efforts to educate and serve all kids," said State Superintendent Tony Evers in a statement. "Her lifelong commitment to advancing equality by increasing educational opportunity for all of our students has long served as a model for other employees of the department. Our agency and Wisconsin's schools are blessed on a daily basis to have her 38 years of educational experience." Carolyn Stanford Taylor is one of Wisconsin's longest-serving Assistant State Superintendents. She managed the Special Education Team and one of the agency's largest teams, the Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Team. She was overjoyed with the award; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Stanford Taylor became the first African-American female appointed to serve as an Assistant State Superintendent in 2001. She also became the first African-American President of the Local Teachers Union. In many ways, Carolyn has been a trailblazer. She says that her mother was actually the ultimate trailblazer; and
WHEREAS, She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. Carolyn was a Classroom Teacher for ten years at Gompers Middle School and Allis Elementary School before serving as Principal of Marquette and Lincoln Elementary Schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District. In 2001, she came to the Department of Public Instruction to join the Cabinet of then-State Superintendent of Wisconsin Public Schools Elizabeth Burmaster; and
WHEREAS, Carolyn Stanford Taylor came up through the ranks as a Teacher and a Principal, hoping to make a difference and impacting more people, more kids, more families; and
WHEREAS, she has served as an excellent unofficial Ambassador for the State of Mississippi and we commend her record of achievement and educational leadership which brings honor to her home state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize Carolyn Stanford Taylor from Marks, Mississippi, as the first African-American State Superintendent of Wisconsin Public Schools and commending her distinguished career in public education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to Wisconsin State Superintendent of Wisconsin Public Schools Carolyn Stanford Taylor and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, forwarded to the Mississippi State Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
