Ryan to Retire as Carmel School Chief at End of School Year
When Dr. James Ryan first came to the Carmel Central School District, he and the Board of Education talked about what the two sides wanted to see accomplished during his tenure as head of the district.
After beginning his Carmel career in 2008, that career is set to end in 2015, as Ryan announced his retirement last week, the final stretch in what school officials deem a successful tenure.
Ryan confirmed his impending retirement at a Feb. 3 board meeting, with his last day marked for July 31. Working as an educator for 42 years, Ryan served the final seven as the school chief of the Carmel school system, a run he considers “personally rewarding.”
“I think anyone working in a position of leadership has to give themselves and give the school or the district the opportunity to develop over time,” Ryan said. “I’m certainly not a fan of short stays in positions. I think people should aspire to some degree of longevity and work to contribute to what they say they’re going to do when they arrive.”
Ryan began his career as a teacher in the Lakeland Central School District, the first step in a steady ascension. He became an assistant principal at Monroe-Woodbury Senior High School in Central Valley and then became principal at Ossining High School. Joining Rockland BOCES in 1993, Ryan served as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services, deputy Superintendent, and before finishing his time at Rockland BOCES he was named the district’s Superintendent of Schools.
Finally, Ryan was named Carmel school chief in 2008, where he oversees more than 4,500 students and almost 900 staff members each year.
When he first started his career, Ryan never put much thought into taking administrative positions, but his desire to
lead eventually convinced him to climb the ladder.
“I never aspired to that but I thought there were opportunities for me to provide some other level of leadership within schools,” Ryan said.
Working in conjunction with the school board, Ryan said the district has upgraded facilities, turned the transportation system into a smooth operation, given students multiple activities and sports to be part of, and have more students going to 2-year and 4-year colleges.
Ryan is the latest superintendent from a Putnam school system to bid farewell, with an influx of new school leaders coming and going over the last couple of years. The Carmel Board of Education now has the task of finding a new superintendent, a process to be conducted over the next several months, according to a press release issued by the district.
Board president Rickard Krepps noted how grateful the school board is to Ryan, who has been able to steer the district through tough economic times, distinguishing himself over the last seven years.
“Although his expertise will be missed, Dr. Ryan has set our district up to continue to be successful,” Krepps said. “His leadership will be fondly remembered.”
