To the Lynn School Committee,
In May 2018, Patrick Tutwiler was hired as superintendent, and in August 2022, he resigned, as The Item quoted him, because it was “the best for my health and my family at this time.” And yet, just four months later, he accepted an appointment by Gov. Maura Healey as Massachusetts Education Secretary.
In December 2022, Evonne Alvarez was appointed as superintendent. Suddenly, and without explanation, she resigned just last week, eight months before her three-year contract ended. Both Superintendent Tutwiler and Superintendent Alavarez failed to remain in their positions to see through their five-year district strategic plans. So, once again, we student-facing educators will endure the next superintendent’s five-year district strategic plan in less than eight years. One has to wonder why the Lynn Public Schools rank near the bottom of the state’s school districts. It’s not the fault of student-facing educators: teachers, paraprofessionals, clinicians, counselors, etc. It’s the failed and inconsistent leadership at the district level.
You can’t blame the 1,500 plus educators in the classrooms working with students on a daily basis. You can blame the constant, and often poorly executed, changes in district curriculum, directives, initiatives, and professional development.
If I remember correctly, under the leadership of Superintendent Catherine Latham, the Lynn Public Schools ranked at the top of the urban districts throughout Massachusetts… and not since Superintendent Latham. We made progress because of consistent leadership under her nine-year tenure, as we did under her long-serving predecessor Superintendent Nicholas Kostan.
Superintendent Latham was a Lynn teacher, school department head, and district deputy superintendent. She established relationships and trust with fellow Lynn educators to move the district forward.
It’s time for the Lynn School Committee to hire its next superintendent from within its own ranks. There’s no need to waste precious time by conducting prolonged national searches. The talent is here in the Lynn Public Schools. It always has been.
It’s insulting when we hear from elected leaders in public forums or local media how dedicated, professional, and successful Lynn educators are, and yet the Lynn School Committee searches outside of Lynn for its next superintendent. Look to your current deputy superintendents and principals. We have diligent, dedicated, and forward-thinking leaders who have already established respected and trusting relationships with staff, colleagues, families, and community partners.
I think it’s time to hire one of these leaders who will commit to long-term leadership in our district.
Sincerely,
Matthew Wilkins
Lynn Educator and resident
