LYNN — The school committee voted to ratify the interim chief academic officer’s contract at Thursday’s meeting.
Dr. Jennifer Shorter was recently hired as the executive director of data, assessment & accountability for Lynn Public Schools, but due to recent budget cuts, her position was cut.
“In looking at closing some of the non-union administrative positions, the executive director of data, assessment, and accountability was one of those positions,” Superintendent Evonne S. Alvarez said.
Shorter will now hold the position of interim chief academic officer for one year.
She added, “Dr. Shorter agreed to take on a number of responsibilities, including Data Assessment and Accountability, innovation, and some professional development for diversity, equity, and inclusion, so that all of those things lived under academics instead of being siloed.”
Member Sean Reid said, “We’re actually saving a lot of money because we’re merging two positions together.”
Alvarez said that at the end of AY 2027, the interim chief academic officer position will be posted, and at that time, the committee will decide if the two positions will be split or remain merged.
School Business Administrator Kevin McHugh’s contract was ratified for a three year extension.
A mid-cycle review of the superintendent’s evaluation was postponed until the next school committee meeting on June 26.
