Superintendent Gaylon Taylor has made a tremendous impact on our small town school, leaving an important legacy. Mr.Taylor will be ending his career at the end of the 2026 school year, as he will be retiring after an extensive career in education. Taylor has served both the Buffalo Island school and community for many years, and his efforts have shaped BIC into what it is today. 

Taylor has dedicated 44 years of service to working in education, a career that he found himself turning to because he decided that he wanted to be a part of a school family after earning his degree in Physical Education. Taylor has worked in two Craighead County schools:  Buffalo Island Central School District and Valley View School District. Taylor’s tenure  at BIC was split into two eras, as he first worked in the district for 11 years beginning in 1982, and then returned in 2013 to work for 13 additional years. 

In his time working in education,Taylor has filled many roles, including Superintendent, basketball coach, and teacher.  “I love to volunteer wherever I am needed, I love to help out in any way I can” said Taylor. 

 Taylor previously coached the basketball team for 29 years in total, which was a job title he was very passionate about. “My favorite memory from my coaching days was by far winning the state championship 2 years in a row!” Taylor said of his 1992 and 1993 State Championship victories. “When I first started coaching at BIC we were terrible, but by the end of my time as coach we were back to back State Champions.”                                         

Taylor has had many accomplishments during his time at BIC. Perhaps the most important achievement has been securing the funding to build the new school building that was erected in 2019. The two new campuses, located in Monette and Leachville Arkansas,  were a significant upgrade on the aging buildings that used to serve as our school facilities. These upgrades also allowed the East and West elementary campuses to consolidate, creating a new school structure that could allow both small towns to keep their school buildings while creating a more unified elementary school.  BIC now boasts modern, secure facilities that will serve students from the district for decades to come, both of which proudly display a plaque with Mr. Taylor’s name on the building as he was one of the primary people responsible for this major upgrade. 

“I saw the condition of the buildings, and most of them were from the 1950s. We needed to get them rebuilt and update them for the student body,” said Taylor.

Another major success of Taylor’s was implementing the four day school week, an idea that has been extremely popular with BIC students and staff alike.

“I felt like the four day week would be good for teachers and so students could keep their jobs and work. It also extended the lives of teachers so they wouldn’t retire so early,” said Taylor.

Senior Martin Arellano explained the ways the four day school week has improved our district for all, saying, “I can work more hours, so I can basically work full time hours at my job which wouldn’t be possible if we had a five day week. We still go an extended amount of time during the day which makes up for missing Fridays. That extra day is good for kids who struggle mentally with the stress of a life and school balance.”

Mrs. Kylie Crosskno, who has taught at BIC for 18 years, has worked alongside Mr. Taylor and has only good things to say about him. “ I appreciate how Mr. Taylor treated all students in the district equally. Whether it was athletics, academic clubs, or classes, he worked to provide the needed funds or supplies,” Crosskno said. 

Through all of his positions and accomplishments, he still makes time for his family. “My wife’s name is Sandra. She is my best friend and my soul mate. We have two amazing daughters, and have been married for many, many years.” said Taylor. Taylor also spends time with his family at work now since his brother Bill Taylor has come back to work at BIC as the baseball coach. “It’s always important to spend time with family in any way you can, so it’s good that I have this opportunity to be on staff with my brother for my last year at work before I retire.” Taylor stated. 

During Taylor’s retirement he plans on spending long summer days on the golf course, spending time with his wife and daughters, serving in any way he can in his church and community, and attending BIC basketball, baseball, and softball games. One thing he loves doing is cooking. “My wife and I love to cook together, and I like to experiment and try new concoctions for my wife and family to try,”  Taylor stated.

While working in education has been one of the defining characteristics of Taylor’s life, he looks forward to new opportunities that might find him in retirement.

“I will miss it, yes, but I am ready for a new adventure,” said Taylor.