FeedsGraceful exit
Schools chief hoping for a ‘super’ transition
Dr. Jim Ryan will retire at the end of June but remain working with the district through a third-party contractor, under an agreement approved last Tuesday by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education.
“It was energizing for me,” said Ryan about the board vote to approve the plan. “The last nine months of my career are laid out for me.”
Ryan began working in schools in 1971 as a teacher at Taylor Public Schools. He moved up the ranks in positions as assistant principal and principal at middle and high schools in the district.
From there, he went to Reed City Area Public Schools in 1990, where he served as superintendent for four years before going to Lansing Waverly.
After seven years there, he and his wife wanted to move closer to family, so he took a deputy superintendent job in Plymouth-Canton. He became the interim superintendent when Kathleen Booher resigned in July 2002, and was made superintendent that December.
He said he doesn’t plan to stop after June 30.
Although Ryan will retire as superintendent, he will serve the district as a senior advisor through February 2008.
Ryan will also have the designation of Superintendent Emeritus, but he’ll be a contracted employee through a third party, GMS Corp. The district has had the same arrangement for the last four years with other retiring administrators, such as principals, said Ryan.
The workaround is necessary to avoid cutting into retirement pay and benefits.
“The current retirement board provides a disincentive for school administrators to continue to do work after they’ve reached a certain retirement age,” said Gary Collins, board attorney.
Under the agreement, approved last Tuesday by the Plymouth-Canton Board of Education, Ryan will receive a pro-rata share of his $161,000 annual salary for the length of the contract, from July 1 to Feb. 28, 2008.
In July, Ken Jacobs, a district employee since 1968 and the current assistant superintendent of administrative services, will begin work as superintendent pro tem.
“Mr. Jacobs will continue his current responsibilities and also assume the legal responsibilities of the office of superintendent, focusing on the district’s ongoing operational and administrative needs,” said Collins.
Ryan will focus on financial issues and contract negotiations, as well as navigate the board through a lengthy search process for the new superintendent.
“I’m a proud old Irishman. I want to work hard right ‘til the end. That’s a value I’ve always had,” he said.
He will also help formulate one-two and five-year plans for the district, which will aid the next superintendent.
“I think we’re going to have some great accomplishments,” he said. “When we hand it off, by gosh, you won’t even notice. That would be the biggest compliment if we could do a seamless transition.”
Ryan had planned to leave the schools completely this summer, but the recent special election changed things.
“With the bond last February, we knew we couldn’t do the (superintendent) search,” he said.
The district stands to save $59,000 under the agreement, since it will no longer pay for Ryan’s fringe benefits.
After February, Ryan will be free to enjoy even more time with his family, including his sixth grandchild, just born last Wednesday.
He was up late that night but still came to work Thursday to prepare for his year-end superintendent evaluation.
“We’re weary,” he said, “but it’s a happy weary.”
