LYNN — The School Committee interviewed six candidates Monday night to fill the vacancy of the committee’s legal services role.
The interviewees at the meeting included Donna Brewer, Howard Greenspan and Alexandra Rubin from Miyares & Harrington LLP; former city councilor and School Committee member Timothy Phelan; Michael Maccaro, Vineesha Sow and Mary Ellen Sowyrda from Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP; James P. Hall from Qua, Hall, Harvey & Walsh; and Melissa Murray and Tim Norris from Norris, Murray & Peloquin, LLC.
The seventh interview with representatives from KP Law was scheduled for this week.
Mayor Jared Nicholson, who chairs the School Committee, said it was his intention for a final vote to be taken by the committee on Thursday night at its regular meeting.
“We are going to take this up on Thursday to finalize the decision,” said Nicholson. “We will consult with our acting counsel, City Solicitor George Markopoulos, to carefully look at each candidate.”
The interviews ranged from 15 minutes to an hour and a half, as committee members asked each candidate questions regarding special education, experience in urban settings related to Lynn, bargaining experience, and why they would be a good fit for the position.
Some candidates, such as Greenspan and Hall, discussed their experiences in cities such as Malden and Lowell, respectively. Meanwhile, Brewer and Rubin highlighted how they have focused on municipal law and worked on establishing regulations for school health.
Phelan, whose interview was the longest, dove deep into his experience as a School Committee member and as someone who has attended the Lynn Public Schools. He said one of the most important aspects of legal counsel is the ability to respond quickly to items and react accordingly.
“This is not just a position,” said Phelan. “This is a form of public service.”
Maccaro shared similar beliefs in his interview with the committee, saying that in order to be a good legal counsel, one must do what is best for the district.
“We love what we do,” Maccaro said about his team.
The School Committee has been in need of new legal counsel since its former attorney, John C. Mihos, died from complications from a fall last spring at the age of 74. Markopoulos has been acting as legal counsel to the School Committee during the interim period.
Nicholson said that while it was important to find a new counsel, he remarked that Mihos — who had provided counsel to the School Committee since 1985 — was irreplaceable for many people who knew him.
“We will miss him very much,” said Nicholson, who served on the committee for six years prior to being elected mayor this past fall.
