Grapevine-Colleyville superintendent of schools announces plans to retire in January
Grapevine-Colleyville school Superintendent Robin Ryan announced Friday that he will retire after 38 years in Texas public education. He is the latest in a growing number of North Texas school leaders to leave in the last year.
He has served in the role in Grapevine for 13 years.
Ryan’s last day will be Jan. 1, pending board approval, according to a news release from the district. He will remain an employee of the school district until Aug. 31, 2023, to assist with the transition of leadership, according to the district.
“I am making this announcement now so that the Board of Trustees can have time to begin the selection process for the new Superintendent,” Ryan said in a statement. “The incredible level of community and district support we have experienced in GCISD has been a hallmark of our success.”
According to the release, the district has been recognized as “one of the most innovative in the state, developing a leading online school, early college high school and cutting-edge programs in STEM learning, fine arts, programs for the gifted and career and technical education.”
Ryan has served as superintendent for Grapevine-Colleyville schools since June 2010. Prior to this appointment, he served as the chief academic officer in Dallas ISD and as the principal of Colleyville Heritage High School.
He also served in administrative roles in the Carroll, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, and San Angelo school districts.
G-CISD Board President Casey Ford said the leader built a strong culture of collaboration in the district.
“On behalf of the Board, we highly value the progress made in our school system under Superintendent Ryan’s leadership,” she said in a statement. “Dr. Ryan has been a tireless visionary for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD over the past 13 years. Along with the Board, Dr. Ryan has focused GCISD and its stakeholders on identifying and developing the strengths and gifts of every child. This vision culminated in the single focused goal for all of our students to achieve success beyond high school graduation.”
Some of the achievements that occurred under the leadership of the outgoing leader include two bond issues, providing devices for every student in the district, creating a district department of emergency management and increasing participation in the district’s dyslexia program.
Grapevine-Colleyville has also become a flash point in statewide debates over the content of library books and policies limiting the teaching of so-called critical race theory.
Such debates were cited by other leaders leaving roles as superintendent earlier this year.
Other superintendents who have stepped down in the last year include leaders from Dallas, Fort Worth, Northwest, Hurse-Euless-Bedford, Mesquite, Desoto, Lewisville and Plano school districts.
This story was originally published September 23, 2022 at 11:31 AM.
