After fourteen years of being a principal in the West Morris Regional High School District, Mr. Ryan was voted to be the next superintendent by the Board of Education on February 27. The Mendham school community is sad to see him leave, but we are still proud of his promotion and overjoyed that he will be staying in our district as he takes on this new role. Mr. Ryan’s legacy as principal has left a lasting mark on Mendham High School’s history, and his vision promises an inspiring future for the district as a whole.
At the board meeting where the decision was made official, a deluge of heartfelt testimonials from staff, parents, and community members highlighted the extent of Mr. Ryan’s impact on those he works with. Mr. Roy Hamblin, who worked at Mendham as a teacher for 36 years before retiring and still works as a track coach, remarked, “I’ve had seven principals at Mendham. None compared to Mr. Ryan.” He shared that within just a week of starting, Mr. Ryan was already asking staff how he could improve the school, a green flag indicative of his proactive spirit. “He molded the culture of Mendham,” Hamblen said. “It became a great place to work.”
Spanish teacher Mr. Cataldi praised Mr. Ryan, remarking, “He is a man who lives and breathes the West Morris Regional School District.” He further added, “In all my years teaching across districts, I’ve learned that what we have here doesn’t exist anywhere else.” All of Mr. Cataldi’s students know that whenever Mr. Ryan passed by his room, he would stop by and talk to the teacher in fluent Spanish, a skill that never ceased to impress the students in class. Mr. Ryan’s skills extend far beyond those required to be a principal, and his abilities make him a perfect candidate for any leadership role.
Parents also shared emotional stories about the connections Mr. Ryan has made with all of Mendham’s students. Tina Okun Smith, who had two children attend Mendham, recalled how her son found confidence and community, thanks in part to Mr. Ryan encouraging him to join the mock trial team. “Mr. Ryan made him feel like his opinion mattered,” she said.
There was unending support from people at the Board of Education Meeting. Caitlin Cillian from Chester noted the issue of turnover in the superintendent role and the fact that Mr. Ryan still wanted the job, nonetheless. Mr. Ryan is unafraid of the district’s flaws and sees his prior experiences working with the administrations at Central and Mendham as an asset in this new role. His comfort and familiarity allow him the confidence to make smart decisions that are based on years of observation.
Even when facing criticism from a few community members who raised concerns about the selection process, Mr. Ryan approached the dissent with grace. “People are passionate about their schools,” he acknowledged. “You’re inevitably put into positions where not everyone agrees with your decisions. But I always put student safety first and strive to create a culture of belonging.”
Reflecting on his time as principal, Mr. Ryan shared his favorite memories, including watching students perform in the musicals, cheering on the mock trial team during a remote national competition in the library, and even singing along to an a cappella group’s rendition of “American Boy.” “The performance of students never ceased to inspire me,” he said.
As he steps into his new role, Mr. Ryan is excited about the opportunity to shape the future of the district. “The new role is a privilege. I’m enjoying the peace that comes with setting a vision and planning for the future.” Mr. Ryan has been in his new role for about a month and believes he is quickly getting accustomed to everything the job entails. He’s also looking forward to working with an “incredibly talented” team at his new office and watching Mrs. Meagher step into her role as Mendham’s new principal. “I’m excited to see her leadership build upon what we’ve created.”
While he may no longer be greeting students at the door or checking in during lunch, Mr. Ryan carries with him the same spirit that made him beloved at Mendham High School: a deep commitment to students, a vision for progress, and a belief in the power of community. As Mr. Ward said during the board meeting, “As good a principal as he was, I believe he’ll be an even better superintendent.”
Congratulations, Mr. Ryan. Mendham is proud to call you ours, and now, so is the entire district.
