An SHS institution
Published on May 23rd, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - Not the only school official to decide to leave in recent weeks, SHS Principal Dr. Thomas Ryan has also decided to step-down from his post after serving 23 years in that role.
The high school leader's retirement will officially start on July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.
The veteran educator, who failed in a bid to become the town's newest superintendent of schools this spring, joins at least five other seasoned school administrators who have either retired or left Stoneham for greener pastures since last summer.
In addition to Asst. Superintendent Joseph Casey, School Business Manager Greg Zammuto, and Middle School Principal Christine McMenimen - all of whom accepted jobs in other school system's - Ryan will depart the town along with the man he unsuccessfully sought to replace, Supt. Dr. Joseph Connelly.
"I've had a good career in Stoneham and it's time to move on to something else," Ryan explained in a very brief interview this week.
According to Connelly, the SHS principal's retirement will leave a significant void to be filled within the district.
"I guess the word would be more disappointed, because I know how much Tom is needed," said Connelly, when asked for his reaction to Ryan's announcement. "Luckily, he has very capable assistant principals, so I trust the transition will be smooth."
"I don't want to put words in his mouth, but I think he was interested in the superintendency because it was new and interesting challenge," School Committee Chairwoman Maureen Soley said of Ryan's retirement. "I feel very, very badly. He has done a superb job of running the high school."
According to Soley, veteran member Cheryl Walsh, and the superintendent, the turnover of grizzled educators and administrators is a pause for concern amongst school officials.
Soley, the only School Committee member to vote in favor of naming Ryan the next leader of Stoneham's schools, contended that the town's dire financial state, especially the manner in which it has decimated the district in recent years, has played a significant role in the turnover rates.
"We just had two resignations today of high school teachers and hose were quality teachers that we thought would maintain the high caliber of educators we have here in Stoneham," said Connelly. "We've laid off 20 percent of our workforce in the past five years and I'm convinced that's the driving force in terms of the magnitude of these [resignations]."
"It is ongoing and a lot of the administrators have been going elsewhere where they'll do better financially and be in charge of a program that has more to offer," Soley commented. "We're doing the best we can to fill these vacancies."
According to School Committee member Cheryl Walsh, officials should start filtering through resumes for Ryan's replacement as early as next Friday. Applications for the principal's post were reportedly due two weeks ago, and a search committee is expected to be formed to narrow down the pool of candidates.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!