LYNN — After seven interviews and several back-and-forth discussions between members, the School Committee voted 4-3 to approve Attorney Howard Greenspan of Lynnfield as the new legal counsel for the Lynn Public Schools.
Mayor Jared Nicholson and committee members Donna Coppola, Dr. Tiffany Magnolia and Lenny Pena voted for Greenspan, but committee members Brian Castellanos, Eric Dugan and Lorraine Gately voted for former Lynn city councilor and School Committee member Timothy Phelan to fill the position.
“We appreciate everyone’s help throughout this process,” Nicholson said at the end of the vote. “Also for moving at the speed that we did, and understanding how important it is for this district that we fill this role.”
Nicholson, who chairs the School Committee, said one of the reasons he voted for Greenspan was due to his experience working with school committees in urban areas including Malden and Medford.
“I think personally for me, it’s important to have someone who has done this work previously and has experience with representing school committees in urban districts,” Nicholson said.
Coppola agreed with Nicholson’s assessment, and said she chose Greenspan because she believes he will get to work quickly and efficiently.
“We have to pick someone that does have urban school experience,” Coppola told the committee. “What we need isn’t someone with training but someone who can hit the ground running.”
Committee members who voted for Phelan cited his connection to the city as the reason he should be selected as the next legal counsel.
Gately said Phelan’s knowledge of the city and the city charter was important in her decision-making.
“When Tim Phelan decided to apply he met those criteria,” Gately said. “He also had experience on the School Committee and had hand-to-hand experience with the former legal counsel John Mihos.”
Dugan also vouched for Phelan, and said despite other candidates who also have a great deal of experience, Phelan’s greatest strength was his history with the city.
“It is true he may not have the resumé that other candidates might have, but I feel as if he’s going to be our attorney,” said Dugan.
Nevertheless, none of the three members who voted for Phelan had any complaints about the final decision to hire Greenspan.
As legal counsel, Greenspan’s starting date and salary will be determined by the School Committee. In Greenspan’s bid response, he requested an hourly rate of $225, but his final rate will be negotiated by the School Committee, Nicholson said.
His duties include offering opinions and suggestions in regards to any legal matters that the committee might find. Greenspan will succeed former Legal Counsel John Mihos, who died in May 2021 due to complications from a fall. Since then, City Solicitor George Markopoulos has served as acting legal counsel for the School Committee.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler said he is looking forward to building a relationship with Greenspan and the two of them have plenty of work to do for the Lynn Public Schools.
“I welcome the partnership with the new legal counsel,” Tutwiler said. “We have a lot of work to do and I am excited to bring the new attorney into the work.”
