Record

Ryan's Record

During his eight years of service on the School Board prior to the pandemic, Ryan championed school system reforms in many areas, including:

Increased legislative advocacy. Ryan fought to make sure Fairfax County received its fair share from Richmond. As the School Board’s state legislative liaison for eight years, Ryan enhanced communication with legislators, improving the school system’s influence on state policy.

Improved public engagement. Ryan’s first action on the School Board was to draft a plan to allow community members to testify by uploading YouTube videos. As chair of the School Board’s Public Engagement Committee he led the School Board Student Leadership Development Program and hosted annual “Innovation and Advocacy Workshops” to teach students how to navigate local, state, and federal government policymaking.

Created a more sustainable infrastructure. Ryan worked with advocates to bring the first plan to install solar panels on schools to FCPS, reduce plastic usage and Styrofoam tray waste, and decrease the system's carbon footprint by saving electricity. He co-sponsored the push to include planning for renewable energy in the FCPS Capital Improvement Plan, advocated for a Board resolution calling for state and federal action on climate change, and supported the expansion of the FCPS “Get2Green” program for environmental stewardship and embedding sustainability education in the curriculum.

Pushed for increased curriculum internationalization. Ryan formed the Internationalization Working Group, which developed FCPS plans to 1) make world language programs more efficient and effective; 2) expand world language learning to all schools; 3) increase partnerships with international institutions and embassies; and 4) enhance study abroad and school exchange opportunities.

Championed more inclusive policies. Ryan sponsored changes to both FCPS’s nondiscrimination policy, providing for LGBTQ student and employee protections, and the system’s dress code, which prior to the changes was overtly discriminatory of women. He began an annual Board recognition of human trafficking, which has led to increased local attention to combatting the issue. Ryan also sponsored a resolution to bring attention to addressing sexual misconduct that called for the updating of policies and procedures.

Advocated for gun violence prevention. In the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting, Ryan sponsored a resolution that was adopted by Boards around the nation calling on state and federal legislators to take concrete actions to prevent gun violence, including effectively regulating access to firearms in the interest of public safety, funding public-health research on firearms-related issues, and advancing mental health supports. He supported initiatives to enhance school security, including initiating a countywide electronic door access system, replacing outdated dual-keyed door locks, securing school vestibules, and hiring additional school-based mental health support staff.

Improved college and career access. Ryan has been a strong supporter of improved alignment between FCPS, community colleges, four-year college institutions and apprenticeships, championing Career and Technical Education and community college dual-enrollment programs. He also led Board advocacy to the UVA Board of Visitors to reinstate the AccessUVA program, which aids many economically disadvantaged FCPS graduates (the program was later restored).

Implemented healthier food options. Ryan secured funding for the first countywide study of school food improvements, resulting in the redesign of school cafeterias and ongoing roll-out of salad bars and school gardens at every school. He initiated the Statesmen Station pilot kitchen concept at Marshall High School, providing a model for serving freshly prepared food. And he worked with Real Food for Kids and staff to provide healthier drinks and snacks in machines countywide.

Enhanced alumni engagement. Ryan spearheaded the creation of the FCPS Alumni Networking Action Group, which developed a plan to better engage FCPS alumni and establish an alumni association, with the goal of improving fundraising, mentorship and networking opportunities in the Fairfax County community. He also worked to improve the collection of information from graduating students so that they can remain connected with the community after graduating and the system can better track their college and career paths.