Monroe has always been a fiscally conservative town, and Thomas Taylor learned about it first-hand during a field trip to Granby, while serving as chairman of the Jockey Hollow Middle School Facilities Study Committee in 1986.

"I took them to lunch," he recalled. "The bill came to $27 for seven people. The Board of Education later called wondering why a check for $27 was cut to Tom Taylor."

The longtime Board of Education member has been involved with Monroe Public Schools for 25 years, a span that included four school building projects and the hiring of five superintendents. On Monday night, Taylor stepped down.

Fellow board members publicly thanked Taylor for his contributions to the school district during its meeting at Masuk High School, and cake was served. After the board got through its agenda, Chairman Darrell Trump asked Taylor to make the motion to adjourn.

Taylor has served Monroe through the tenures of superintendents Don Maloney, Norm Michaud, Alan Beitman and Colleen Palmer. He was also part of the search and hiring of the district's new leader James Agostine.

"I know I can leave the district in good hands," Taylor said. "With the new superintendent of schools, the school system is in good shape."

While reviewing 16 resumes and interviewing candidates during the search, Taylor said Agostine stood out, adding "the cream rose to the top."

In addition to having served on the Jockey Hollow Middle School Facilities Study Committee, Taylor also served on a building committee for the renovations and additions to Stepney and Fawn Hollow elementary schools. During his time on the board of education, Masuk High School also had a building project.

Taylor served on the Board of Education from 1989 to 2005, then came back in 2008 to finish fellow Republican Debra Dutches' term. He had been on the board ever since. He had been board chairman for eight years and secretary for four years.

Minnesota Roots

While growing up, Taylor's father taught him the importance of public service. Taylor moved to Monroe from Minnesota in the fall of 1981 and met his wife Linda on Valentines Day the following year.

"She is my sweetheart," he said with a smile. "She supported me in all of my years in public service."

Taylor has three children and four grandchildren. His youngest son, Bret, graduated from Virginia Tech last May.

"We're thinking of downsizing," Taylor said of he and his wife.

The couple has already put their house on the market and Taylor said moving back to Minnesota is a possibility.

During his involvement in education, Taylor has been embroiled in the town's annual budget battles.

"I'm not gonna miss the discord over the budget," he said. "It bothers me when I hear the public use words like accountability and transparency. It couldn't be more transparent. An average of $1.2 million has been returned to the general fund during the years I have been here."

Through his experience, Taylor has gained "the deepest respect" for teachers and he had the most enjoyment interacting with the students. He said it's fun when the young children greet him as he walks into a classroom to read to them, and Taylor still runs into former students who remember him.

"I'll miss the kids the most," he said.