LYNN — Phylitia Jamerson has been hired as the administrator of special education for Lynn Public Schools and started her position on Monday.
The School Committee unanimously approved the hiring of Jamerson, who was recommended by Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, last week.
Her salary is $123,340.
Jamerson has worked as an assistant director of special education for the past two years to a consortium of five charter groups based in Las Vegas, under the State Public Charter School Authority, according to her cover letter.
She has worked in education for the past 15 years, including three years as special education facilitator and transition specialist for a school district in Las Vegas. Prior to that, she worked as an equine specialist, special education teacher and resource specialist in Las Vegas and San Diego, according to her résumé.
“I’m so excited to be here,” Jamerson said. “I do have a lot of visions, a lot of ideas and it’s a really great team. I thank everybody for the support and I just love this community.”
Tutwiler said Jamerson meets all the standard requirements of the position, but school officials were looking for other criteria as well.
“We sought an individual who had the professional and leadership dexterity to actualize a vision for the special education department, one that embraces the knowledge and experience of the existing members and brings fresh ideas to bear on the effort to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities,” Tutwiler said.
The superintendent said they were also looking for a senior leadership teammate with the same core values of the existing team and a person who could push their collective thinking.
“The recommendation of Ms. Jamerson reflects a markedly high standard and our collective belief that she is the best candidate for the position,” he said.
According to the job posting, Lynn Public Schools was looking for a candidate with a bachelor’s degree with a doctorate or master’s degree in administration of special education preferred, state certification as an administrator of special education, and 10 years of experience in the field of special education with experience as a director or assistant director of special education preferred, among other qualifications.
Jamerson has a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Administration from the University of Phoenix.
The position has been vacant since Lynn Catarius resigned earlier this year as the district’s acting administrator of special education to work as director of special education and student services for the Amesbury Public Schools.
“It is an honor to have you here,” said Lorraine Gately, a member of the School Committee, to Jamerson. “We have been looking and searching for you for three years. We finally found you and we’re so grateful.”
