Posted by Bill Reilly
On October 24, 2019 Dr. Patrick addressed the Rotary Club of Lynn at the Old Tyme Italian Cuisine Restuarant in Lynn.  
On October 24, 2019 Dr. Patrick Tutwiler spoke at a Rotary Club of Lynn luncheon meeting.  The meeting was at the Old Tyme Italian Cuisine Restaurant in Lynn.  He shared with the Rotary crowd the Lynn public schools 5 year plan to fulfill its mission which is:  “To provide students with a safe inclusive learning environment that inspires and promotes individual and personal growth”. 
He mentioned that this school year there has been little or no reports of overcrowding at the middle schools as there was last year.  That is because of an innovative program which takes about 350 eighth grade students from the middle schools and transfers them to the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI).  At the LVTI, the eighth graders are enrolled in the Discovery Academy which gives them an opportunity to explore the different options the school has available to them should they wish to continue at LVTI for their high school experience.
He also shared with the members that the Department is exploring an expanded night program at LVTI so students can work toward industry recognized credentials in a skill of their choice.  Since there is a waiting list for LVTI, it is thought this program will provide more opportunities for Lynn students to obtain skills critical to the community.
Dr. Tutwiler mentioned that at the beginning of the school year approximately 160 new teachers were hired by the department.  He also shared with the members that prior to this year, union contracts prohibited the hiring of teachers prior to September of the school year.  That was causing the department to miss out on highly qualified teachers since they were hired by other districts.  Union agreements made it difficult to hire new teachers early in the hiring season, causing the department to miss out on interviewing many highly qualified candidates.  Revisions to the contract now allow the district to begin the hiring process sooner.
In closing he said: “Lynn is a special place.  A tight-knit city rich with adults who are deeply committed to ensuring that every young scholar has the opportunity and the support to learn to thrive, advance, and impact the greater community and the world. This is the essence of our work – a task that we take seriously and that I, as superintendent, am deeply honored to lead”.