Farmington Schools Business Administrator Retiring

From teacher salaries to keeping the lights on, pensions, Open Choice tuition and special education costs, Farmington Schools’ Business Administrator Mike Ryan knows all the numbers and has balanced them year after year.  

Now someone new will have to learn those numbers.  

Ryan, who authors and oversees the school district's $56 million budget, is retiring. Officials made the announcement at the Monday Town Council meeting as they offered their thanks and well wishes to Ryan.  

“There are few people as consistent, direct, honest, easy to deal with and accurate as Mike Ryan,” Town Council Chairman Jeff Hogan said. “Mike, you’ve been a huge contributor not only to the Board of Education but to the town as well. We’ve done so much public policy together in the last eight years and I wish you well.”

At audit time, BlumShapiro representatives praise Ryan’s work. At meetings, Superintendent Kathleen Greider often defers to Ryan for his exhaustive knowledge of school district finances as well as day-to-day affairs. Though quiet, he talks protectively of the town's “youngsters.”  

Board Chairman Mary Grace Reed thanked Ryan for the countless hours he has put in and nights he’s spent away from his family.

“You are not just a dedicated steward of the dollars but your stewardship oversees our most precious commodity – our children,” she said. “It’s very unique for a CFO; it’s not typical. But nothing about Mike Ryan is typical. I also appreciate your sensitivity and what you have put up with, not just from the current board, but boards over the years.”    

The district has listed a vacancy announcement seeking a replacement for Ryan here.