When the Lynn School Committee gathers Thursday night for the purpose of selecting an interim superintendent of schools, you might expect it to be a short meeting.
The unexpected resignation last week of Superintendent Dr. Evonne S. Alvarez leaves the School Committee in an unenviable position, needing to fill the top position in the school district six weeks into a new school year.
A cogent argument can be made that they brought this on themselves, or at least a majority of them. Whether they expected her to announce her resignation on Oct. 9 is another story and now a moot point.
The reality is that a school district — or any organization for that matter — needs strong leadership and the vacancy created by Alvarez’ abrupt departure has to be filled, which is why a special meeting was called for tonight.
The School Committee is fortunate in that it has not only a logical, but eminently capable candidate sitting at their table. Deputy Superintendent Molly Cohen is a 20-year veteran of Lynn Public Schools, having also served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, and executive director of curriculum and instruction. She was a finalist when Alvarez was elected superintendent in December of 2022.
Cohen is widely respected among teachers, students, administrators, and families. She is an educator at heart, laser-focused on student achievement and all the work that goes into it. Taking over as interim superintendent would be a seamless transition for Cohen, who is already deeply involved in the inner workings of the district.
Cohen, who speaks Spanish, has two master’s degrees and is close to completing studies for a doctorate in education. She is the complete package and the School Committee is fortunate to have her as an option. The district would benefit from the committee exercising that option and then giving her the chance to lead the district as she sees fit.
The loss of Alvarez is a serious blow to Lynn Public Schools and its students. Cohen is in the best position to carry on the work she started and should be given that chance.
