Dr. Robin Ryan
Superintendent of Schools
In GCISD, our purpose – our mission – is to prepare, motivate and encourage each and every student to achieve his or her full potential – to achieve his or her best. In fall 2011, we launched the LEAD 2021 (Leading Excellence – Action Driven) strategic plan that set us on the course toward accomplishing our mission for every student in our district. The first phase kicked off with the implementation of “digital classrooms” at six schools across the district, where we are combining the latest technology with interactive instruction to create classroom environments specifically crafted for 21st Century learning. The intent of LEAD 2021 is to design learning that meets the educational needs of students today and for the next decade, and these classrooms are the beginning of what we aim to achieve in the years to come. Much more work is underway on this 10-year plan, so continue to stay tuned for more progress. Also in GCISD, work is underway on the 2011 Bond Program. This program addresses facility maintenance and repairs, additions at two campuses to accommodate for pockets of growth, and works to further LEAD 2021 through initiatives such as digital classroom technology for students. Progress of bond work will be updated on the 2011 Bond Progress website, www.gcisdbond2011.com.
As we move forward with the LEAD 2021 and Bond initiatives, the topic of school funding remains ever-present in our planning and decision-making. We continue to reduce budgets to account for cuts to state funding as a result of the 82nd Texas Legislature. In GCISD, that translates to a 14 million dollar decrease in state funding over the next biennium – a 5.5 million dollar cut in 2011-2012 and an 8.5 million dollar cut in 2012-2013. This is in addition to annual Robin Hood payments, which are projected to be 29 million dollars in 2011-2012 and 27 million dollars in 2012-2013. We are working to be a part of a solution that will benefit all Texas school children, districts and taxpayers.
We are making bold changes now and throughout the next 10 years to ensure that GCISD students are prepared for success in the next chapter in their lives. We are excited about this bold journey for our district and look forward to continuing our partnership with our students, parents and community to fulfill our mission to be the BEST by Building Excellent Schools Together.
Dr. Robin Ryan joined GCISD as Superintendent on June 15, 2010. He has served 26 years in education, all in Texas, including as principal of Colleyville Heritage High School from 2004-2006. He previously served in Dallas ISD as Chief Academic Officer and Area Superintendent; in Carroll ISD as a high school principal, junior high principal, middle school principal and assistant principal; in Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD as a life science teacher and student services coordinator; in San Angelo ISD as the administrator of one of the first discipline alternative schools in Texas; and as a high school biology teacher in Graham ISD.
Dr. Ryan, 49, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in health education with a minor in biology from Texas A&M University; his Master of Education degree in school administration from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls; and his Doctorate degree in school administration with a minor in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Texas. He also served 20 years in the Army National Guard and Reserves, retiring as a major in 2004.
Named Administrator of the Year for 2001 by the Texas Computer Educators Association, Dr. Ryan also was the recipient of the Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Award for the Carver Learning Center in 1994. His professional memberships include the American Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and National Guard Association of Texas.
Dr. Ryan and his family have lived in Grapevine for 16 years. His wife, Dr. Cindy Ryan, is Associate Minister at First United Methodist Church of Grapevine. Their daughter, Daryl, is a graduate of Grapevine High School and Texas A&M. Their son, Reed, is a sophomore at Texas A&M and their youngest son, Graham, is in the seventh grade at Cross Timbers Middle School in Grapevine.
