LYNN — The School Committee voted unanimously Thursday night to appoint former Deputy Superintendent Deb Ruggiero as the interim school superintendent for the 2022-2023 school year, following the resignation of current Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutweiler, who announced his resignation last month.
Tutwiler, whose resignation will take effect Aug. 12, kicked off the meeting reading his official statement recommending Ruggiero to take his place as interim school superintendent. Tutwiler said he pre-wrote his recommendation to avoid “mincing words.”
“The Superintendency is an extremely challenging role. Simply maintaining in the role, nevermind achieving any degree of success requires far more than a willingness, it requires a deep desire for, and aspiration to it. I know this has and continues to be the case for Deputy Superintendent Ruggiero. It is with this, and all of the aforementioned reasons, that I recommend Deb Ruggiero to be the interim superintendent for the 2022 – 2023 school year,” Tutwiler said.
He also said that although he ultimately recommended Ruggiero for the position, Deputy Superintendent Kimberlee Powers, too, played an important role in surviving and improving during the last few years.
“My tenure as superintendent was during some of the most challenging years in recent history. We weathered the storm for certain, but also, advanced in meaningful and tangible ways – in our skill sets and programming, and our mindsets. This was work that was developed, guided, and masterfully implemented by Deputy Superintendent Powers and Deputy Superintendent Ruggiero,” he said.
Ruggiero said that she was not interested in applying for the permanent position, as she could not meet the term length or linguistic requirements needed to best serve the school district.
“First of all, I just wanted to say thank you for having the confidence in me. Kimberlee Powers and I have been sisters in leadership for many, many years, and we will continue that sisterhood,” Ruggiero said. “I have always been dedicated to Lynn, 37 years this year. When I was asked if I wanted to apply for the permanent position, my reason for saying no is because I am very dedicated to Lynn and feel very strongly that the next superintendent needs to be four or more years. I don’t know if I have four years in me, and need to represent the students and families of Lynn, hopefully linguistically.”
School Committee member Brian Castellanos said that he felt grateful to have Ruggiero as an interim superintendent because he thinks her experience can help stabilize the district.
“We’re really grateful to have Deputy Superintendent Ruggiero step up to the plate as superintendent. As you heard tonight, we need stability, and to move forward in this district requires that type of longevity that she has 30 years plus of,” Castellanos said. “We’re very happy to have her. She’s someone who has been committed to the school district.”
Mayor Jared Nicholson said that he was grateful for the condition in which Tutwiler left the school district, and that he was excited to see Ruggiero step up to the transitory position.
“We’re grateful for her stepping up in a difficult moment for the district, in making this transition, but I’m really excited for her leadership,” Nicholson said. “I’m tremendously grateful for the condition in which Tutwiler has left the district, and excited about the team we have moving forward with Deputy Superintendent Ruggiero at the helm.”
Nicholson also said that the City might hire a search consultant to help find the right candidate for the permanent position.
Ruggiero said she felt honored by Tutwiler’s recommendation, and looks forward to serving the district as a transitory superintendent.
“I feel honored to have been recommended by the superintendent. I feel honored to be able to represent this city, and I’m looking forward to helping this district move forward in preparation for a new superintendent,” Ruggiero said.
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected].