Adam Taylor
Highly experienced, multi-disciplined, results oriented instructional leader with demonstrated success
utilizing systemic data to improve equity and inclusion through the effective use of innovative
practices, strategic planning, and development of organization capacity. Demonstrated ability to
increase achievement in racially diverse and high poverty schools through engaging community
support as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools. Highly skilled at communicating
transformation and investing in a wide-array of stakeholders.
● Superintendent of Rutland City Public Schools, with successful experience as an Executive
Director (Regional Superintendent) of West Contra Costa Unified School District.
● School principal having achieved school turnaround under NCLB Program Improvement
criteria.
● Presenter, covering topics focusing on community engagement, trauma-informed learning,
data-driven instruction, equity, and strategic planning at national conferences.
EDUCATION, LICENSURE, & TRAINING
Master of Arts Education Training
Master of Arts Curriculum & Instruction New Leaders (cohort 7), New Leaders
Patten University Oakland, CA Superintendent Certification, ACSA
Urban Superintendent Academy, AASA
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science National Superintendent Academy A.R.P.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA
Administrative Certification, CA
EXPERIENCE
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
● Led district through the successful PK-12 accreditation.
● Formed team to develop & support implementation of strategic plan, mission, vision, and core
values.
● Transformed 2 schools, grades 6-12, into rigorous learning environments that included project
based learning, increased technology and innovative learning opportunities.
● Increased community partnerships to provide on-site mental health case management and
support due to long-standing community issues and extreme poverty.
BOARD GOVERNANCE
● Worked with the board to codify district expectations aligned with policy to monitor employee
accountability, which dramatically reduced instances of employee discipline issues requiring
board intervention.
● Collaborated with board members and staff to review and write policy to ensure equity and
inclusion of all Board policy.
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
● Developed and executed a $54M operating budget.
● Established communications team to ensure current district information and events were
shared.
● Engaged board to right-size the district, which involved redesigning 2 alternative schools.
● Engaged in the development and implementation of collective bargaining agreements
ADVOCACY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
● Wrote weekly memos to staff to engage the organization community.
● Wrote “letters to the editor” to provide information regarding district operations to increase
community engagement and involvement.
● Spoke to dozens of civic groups and potential partners to increase on-site mental health
support.
● Conducted press conferences and led meetings with the mayor to address community issues.
● Attended Legislative Days at the State House and had numerous opportunities to speak at
committee meetings and to state legislators about issues impacting education.
HUMAN CAPITAL
● Redesigned employee hiring and onboarding, prioritized wellness for educators, and
established employee expectations, which led to improved employee engagement and retention.
● Reorganized central office to improve efficiency and support school needs.
● Wrote weekly emails to all employees to share information about the strategic plan, establish
and share my vision and encourage wellness and self-care.
● Led equity, inclusion and racial bias training for all employees
Darryl Richardson, LLC. 2020 - Present
Consultant
● Providing research based expertise and exceptional practice consultations that focus on
supporting equitable systemic change, leadership practices that utilize student and school data
to support the equitable distribution of resources to ensure all students are college and career
ready. Providing research based expertise aligned to mentoring and inclusion practices that
support African-American achievement. Grant writing.
Rutland City Public Schools 2018 - 2020
Superintendent
Serving 2,500 scholars, 9 schools, 450+ employees; $54M operating budget
● Collaborated with the Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership to ensure efficient resources
were allocated and aligned to meet the strategic plan of college and career readiness for all
students.
● Led students, families, faculty/staff and community organizations to redesign 2 alternative high
schools to create student centered technology focused, proficiency based academic learning
environments, with improved facilities, to ensure career and college readiness upon graduation.
● Led district staff and labor union leadership through a collaborative, consensus based process
to develop and implement a strategic professional learning plan that included implicit racial
bias, trauma informed practice, and equity.
● Improved the district's communication tools, including websites, social and print media to
facilitate communication with families and the community.
● Led a facilities improvement plan that included review of current facilities, design and
construction of new facilities and incorporated solar power into all schools.
West Contra Costa Unified School District 2012 - 2018
Executive Director / Regional Superintendent PK-Adult School
Serving 29,500 scholars (18% Black, 11% white,52% Hispanic, 15% Asian, 4% Other; 65% low income),
54 schools, 3,000+ employees; $350M operating budget
● Supervised a diverse team of 27 school leaders (PK-12), including underperforming and
distinguished schools with operating budgets of $138M to create conditions and environments
to improve student academic outcomes.
● Directed district-wide programs and initiatives including, Safety, Full Service Community
Schools, Response to Intervention, and athletics/student leadership.
● Collaborated with district personnel, civic leaders and community organizations to develop
and implement a comprehensive strategic health and safety plan.
● Established African American Male and Women of Color STEM education programs in
collaboration with UC Berkeley Upward Bound.
● Partnered with district personnel, civic leaders and community organizations to design,
implement and evaluate 31 Full Service Community Schools.
● Made decisions on the approval of school based professional development, field trips, research
requests, local and federal funds requests to ensure alignment with district strategic plan and
budget.
● Supervised a diverse team of directors, coordinators, and specialists to develop
department/program specific manuals that included specific policies and procedures.
Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, CA
2008-2012
Principal Brookfield Village Elementary School
● Developed and implemented school-wide instructional practices and expectations that led to
increased school-wide API scores, met AYP criteria and moved school to exit NCLB Program
Improvement.
● Increased student assessment results for African American (+106 pts.) and Latino (+48 pts.)
students.
● Decreased student truancy from 17% to 5%.
● Empowered the Instructional Leadership Team to develop, plan, implement and evaluate
differentiated professional learning to increase student achievement.
● Created a Full Service Community School by advocating, procuring, and developing
partnerships with businesses and community based organizations to provide resources, services
and programs that support student, family, teacher, and community.
● Organized parents, teachers, staff and community organizations to provide enrichment
programs and services.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Principal Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, CA 2007-2008
Teacher Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, CA
2003-2007 Dropout Prevention Specialist
Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, CA
1993-2003
Dropout Prevention Instructor California Dept. of Education 1996-2003
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
● Oakland Alliance of Black Educators Distinguished Service (2012)
● In-Spirit Educator of the Year (2010)
● Most Improved School Attendance (2010) recognized for reducing truancy from 17% to 5%
● Superintendent Semi-finalist San Diego Unified School District, San Diego, CA (2022)
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
● Welcome Keynote. National Dropout Prevention Conference, San Diego, CA (1999)
● Dropout Prevention 101. National Dropout Prevention Conference San Jose, CA (1996)
● Keynote. California Association of School Psychologists (2000)
● Increasing Early Literacy. Anne E. Casey Foundation; Congressional Black Caucus (2011)
