LYNN — School Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler received high marks in his evaluation from the School Committee.
But the committee’s report said he needs to work on improving the performance of English Language Learners (ELLs), bringing the school district into compliance with special education standards and engaging families.
The seven-member panel graded Tutwiler “proficient” on his evaluation, a step below “exemplary,” the highest possible mark. He was evaluated on his ability to meet his goals for the district, instructional leadership, management, family and community engagement and the professional culture that exists in the public schools.
Committee members said he could improve upon his “proficient” designation with additional funds and resources to the school district, as his performance was strong and could be seen as a “model for the rest of the state for a first-year superintendent.”
“Dr. Tutwiler has had a tremendously successful first year as superintendent,” one member of the committee said in the evaluation. “I thought his performance was exemplary because of the ambitious goals that he set for himself, the district, and the thoughtful, hard-won, sustainable progress that the district has made under his leadership.”
Tutwiler cannot receive a raise based on the results of the evaluation, but he is eligible for a $3,000 performance bonus, which is at the discretion of the School Committee. The superintendent is in the second year of his three-year contract with the district — he earned a $207,000 salary last year and will be paid a fixed rate of $210,000 for the final two years.
The committee voted last week to accept the evaluation, but did not vote on whether Tutwiler would receive the performance bonus.
Tutwiler told the committee he was encouraged by the feedback he received in their evaluation and plans to build upon their suggestions.
“I’m not above feedback,” Tutwiler said. “That’s how I get better.”
For example, committee members praised Tutwiler for developing an inclusive and comprehensive five-year district strategic plan, implementing initiatives such as “Every Student Every Day,” which has reduced chronic absenteeism in the district, and working with his administration to develop a K-5 social-emotional learning curriculum.
The panel was also pleased with how he used last year’s MCAS results to build programs for schools that improved the district’s test results this year. The committee deemed that the superintendent “met” his three student-learning goals, a higher grade than Tutwiler gave himself in his self-evaluation earlier in the school year.
Members also complimented Tutwiler’s transparency, noting they were prepared for most meetings with district data that was provided to them before it was presented.
But the committee wrote there needs to be a focus on hiring additional staff for the English Language Learner and special education departments, which work with the district’s two lowest performing subgroups.
The district remains out of compliance with state special education standards and there continues to be a large achievement gap between ELLs and their native-English speaking peers. But the committee said that the district’s diverse student population presents significant challenges, particularly with those who have experienced trauma.
Comments were mixed on the success of Tutwiler’s efforts to engage families. One commenter said Tutwiler makes a concerted effort to make every member of the school district feel wanted and secure, but there are some who either don’t want to engage or are afraid to come forward.
For example, one member wanted to see more of an effort with engaging Spanish-speaking families and suggested that more materials be translated.
But overall, committee members praised Tutwiler’s performance throughout the 17 pages of comments and were pleased with the “innovative” direction he was taking the school district in.
“It was clear from the get-go that Dr. Tutwiler was going to be a change agent for (Lynn Public Schools),” reads the evaluation. “He has a commanding presence, a big laugh, and an unending willingness to meet and come to a consensus. He is a respected professional in the district and in the community as a leader, a colleague and a willing partner.”
