LYNN — Former Lynn Public Schools superintendents reflected on their tenures in light of the recent resignation of Superintendent Dr. Evonne Alvarez.
Alvarez joined Lynn Public Schools as superintendent in 2023, taking over after Dr. Patrick Tutwiler served in the role from 2018-22. She signed a three-year contract that was set to expire in June of 2026. Her resignation was announced during Thursday’s School Committee meeting, where Mayor Jared Nicholson read a statement that said “the parties have mutually agreed to move in new directions.”
Under the terms of Alvarez’s contract, the School Committee was required to notify her by December as to whether she would be offered a new contract in June.
James Mazareas, whose LPS superintendent tenure lasted from 1998-2002, gave his thoughts on the news.
“I thought she was a dynamic, energetic woman. I was impressed with her. I thought it was wonderful for the city to have a Latina woman with a vision. I thought she was a great role model. I think she should move on to a larger district,” Mazareas said.
Nick Kostan, who was the LPS superintendent from 2002-09, said, “Being able to speak Spanish with the student population was an advantage for the city.”
Mazareas and Kostan said that superintendent tenures are an average of two and a half years and gave insight into possible reasons why.
“A lot of times, it doesn’t have to do with job performance. It’s a big, political job, and the political nature of the job makes it even more difficult. It’s too bad, but I’m not surprised,” Mazareas said.
Kostan said, “You can’t be an expert on everything, but the job touches on a lot of different issues. I give credit to anybody who can last for two years.”
Kostan added, “It’s harder in today’s world. Your approach to dealing with things changes with the times. School boards, unions, government officials, and the general public consist of people of different opinions and backgrounds, so it’s difficult for a superintendent to deal with all the personalities.”
Former LPS Superintendent Dr. Catherine Latham, who held the role from 2009-18, weighed in on how a pattern of short-term leadership can affect schools and students.
“High turnover affects the stability of the system. It makes it difficult for people to get used to administration,” she said.
Kostan said, “Continuity is good for the system. Turnover can be disruptive.”
Mazareas described how constant changes in leadership can impact decision making within school systems.
“Lynn has tremendous challenges. Teachers are really working hard, and they need to be supported. If you’re going to have a long-term tenure as superintendent, you have to work with teachers to create a culture where they’re on the same page,” Mazareas said. “If you’re constantly changing leadership, it is harder to have long-term goals. It’s harder to make tough decisions and get staff to listen — especially if you have a three-year contract and they know you’re on the way out. That’s no way to run things. As long as you have politically-elected school boards, that is going to happen.”
