LYNN – At a special meeting Thursday night, the School Committee unanimously voted to appoint Molly Cohen superintendent of schools on an interim basis. Cohen had been serving in the role of deputy superintendent since 2022. Her appointment is effective immediately and runs through June 2027.
Cohen replaces Dr. Evonne S. Alvarez, who announced her resignation last week.
A 20-year veteran of Lynn Public Schools (LPS), Cohen has also served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, and executive director of curriculum and instruction. She was the other finalist when Alvarez was elected superintendent in December 2022.
Her longest tenure in LPS was as principal of Thurgood Marshall Middle School from January 2015 to July 2022. She has also worked as assistant principal at Breed Middle School, guidance counselor at Lynn English, and teacher at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute. She taught in Chile and in Salem for three years each.
Cohen, who is proficient in Spanish, earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Vermont and master’s degrees from Simmons University and Salem State University. She is in the final year of a doctoral program at UMass Lowell. She also earned a certificate in Educational Leadership from the Lynch Leadership Academy at the Boston College Carroll School of Management.
“Molly Cohen is a proven leader with experience at all levels in our school district,” said Mayor and School Committee Chair Jared C. Nicholson. “She is highly respected by students, teachers, and administrators and well-positioned to lead the district forward.”
“I am deeply humbled and grateful for this opportunity,” Cohen said. “Our district is filled with extraordinary educators, staff, students, and families. My priority is to ensure stability for our schools, staff, and most important, our students. I look forward to fostering authentic relationships, listening and learning from our community, and working to chart a clear and steady course forward for Lynn Public Schools.”
Cohen added, “I’d to thank the mayor, members of the School Committee, and members of our community for granting me the opportunity to lead in a city that I love. I am truly humbled by the magnitude of this role and deeply grateful to continue to work with the extraordinary educators, staff, families, and students.”
She continued, “Lynn is a very special place. I’ve absolutely loved the 20 years that I’ve spent here, and continue to spend here, dedicated to all of you. I am so thankful for the trust you are instilling in me, and fully prepared to lead with equity, excellence, and purpose grounded in our district strategic plan and core values. It is an honor to work with all of the wonderful stakeholders of the Lynn Public Schools, and the wider community. I look forward to the work we will accomplish together.”
