FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 3, 2026

PHOENIX, NY — The Phoenix Central School District (PCSD) Board of Education is proud to announce the pending appointment of Dr. Ryan Lanigan as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Lanigan, a veteran educator with 27 years of experience, will succeed Interim Superintendent Mr. Christopher Byrne, who is retiring after 25 years of dedicated service to the district.

A special board meeting will take place on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Phoenix Central School District Office where the board plans to appoint Dr. Ryan Lanigan as the next Superintendent of Schools. This concludes a comprehensive search process that began on November 15, 2025, and attracted a competitive pool of 21 highly qualified applicants. The Board’s decision was heavily informed by extensive stakeholder feedback gathered through community sessions and a community stakeholder survey conducted in late 2025. The community survey identified several key themes that the Board utilized as the foundation for their selection criteria:

• Student-Centered Focus: A deep commitment to doing what is best for students and providing a rich educational experience.
• Academic Excellence and Innovation: A desire for forward-thinking leadership to strengthen instructional programs and curriculum.
• Strong Community Culture: Preservation of the district’s "small-town, family feel" and close-knit relationships.
• Transparent Communication: A leader who is approachable, reflective, and values collaborative teamwork across all stakeholders.

Dr. Lanigan’s professional background directly mirrors the attributes sought by the Phoenix community. Most recently serving as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at Brockport Central School District, where he led the development of a five-year strategic plan and spearheaded the implementation of the "Portraits with Purpose" framework.

This groundbreaking initiative at Brockport empowered students to develop and showcase essential skills and career-connected competencies, directly aligning with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Portrait of a Graduate. By fostering student agency through micro-credentialing and personalized branding, Dr. Lanigan has demonstrated a unique ability to blend innovative, future-ready instructional strategies with a student-first mentality—a top priority identified by Phoenix stakeholders.

A lifelong resident of Oswego County, Dr. Lanigan brings a deep understanding of the local region and its values. His previous leadership roles include serving as High School Principal in the Mexico and Oswego school districts, as well as an administrator in the Fulton City School District.

"I was drawn to Phoenix because of the incredible energy and heart of the students and staff," said Dr. Lanigan. "There is a rare, palpable sense of pride here that you just don't find everywhere. I am beyond thrilled to join a community that values its 'family feel' while remaining so ambitious for its children. My goal is to protect the traditions that are loved while opening even more doors for every student to soar."

The Phoenix Board of Education invites the community to officially welcome Dr. Lanigan at the special board meeting to be held on April 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Phoenix Central School District Office located at 116 Volney Street, Phoenix, NY 13135.

Questions from the media can be directed to: Mr. Jeremy Belfield, District Superintendent, Sole Supervisory District of Oswego County - jbelfield@citiboces.org or 315-963-4222.

Dear Phoenix Central School District Community,

The Phoenix Central School District Board of Education has officially begun the search for our next Superintendent of Schools. This search follows the planned retirement of Mr. Chris Byrne, who will have served our district with distinction for twenty-four years. The new superintendent is anticipated to begin on July 1, 2026.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Byrne for his dedicated leadership. Mr. Byrne has faithfully served as the Superintendent for the past ten years and we are grateful for his leadership and his contributions to the school community. Mr. Byrne has graciously agreed to continue serving as Interim Superintendent until the new leader begins, ensuring a smooth and stable transition for our district.

Hiring a superintendent is one of the most critical responsibilities of the Board, and we are committed to finding a visionary leader who will build upon our tradition of excellence. To ensure a thorough and inclusive search, we have partnered with Mr. Jeremy Belfield, District Superintendent of the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation (CiTi), to facilitate the process.

After careful consideration, the Board has chosen to conduct a confidential search. This approach protects the privacy of applicants and historically attracts a larger pool of highly qualified and experienced candidates who may not participate in a public process. While interviews will remain confidential, the first and most crucial step is gathering community input to build a profile of our ideal candidate. An FAQ document created by Mr. Belfield is available to help answer further questions about the search process: FAQ Regarding the Search Process

We invite you to share your perspective on our district's strengths, opportunities for growth, and the most important qualities for our next superintendent. Please participate in a brief online survey, which will be open from October 21st through November 15th.

The survey is available here: To Complete the Survey Click Here

Your feedback is invaluable and will directly guide the Board of Education throughout the selection process. Mr. Belfield will also be facilitating stakeholder group meetings in the very near future. These meetings will take place with Union Presidents, Administrators & Supervisors, Staff Members in Each Building, Clerical, District Office/Business Office Staff, and Community Members. Additional information on these meetings will be sent out in the coming days. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to the future of the Phoenix Central School District.

Sincerely,

The Phoenix Central School District Board of Education