Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022 SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 1 trict and children would be signifi cant,” McMahon warned. “I know this is worrisome and I don’t communicate this message to scare our community but rather to prepare you for the challenging times that may lie ahead.” The letter comes nearly a BRIEFING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE: At last week’s Finance Committee meeting (March 23), Saugus School Superintendent Erin K. McMahon summarized her proposed budget for the 2023 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) • • • week after McMahon’s appearance before the Finance Committee, where members didn’t off er supportive feedback in their review of her proposed budget. The superintendent seeks a $1.5 million increase in the current budget – about $1.1 million more than what Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree has recommended. With the town already facing a $1.2 million structural defi cit in the overall town budget, Finance Committee members called the superintendent’s request unsustainable. Some members said the town has supported education, but THIS WEEK ON SAUGUS TV Sunday, April 3 from 9–11 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, April 4 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, April 5 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Finance Committee Meeting from March 30. Wednesday, April 6 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – Saugus High School Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs. Malden from March 31. Thursday, April 7 at 6 p.m. on Channel 9 – School Committee Meeting ***live***. Friday, April 8 at 11 a.m. on Channel 8 – The Graff Report with Nick Graffi o. Saturday, April 9 at 12:00 p.m. on Channel 8 – Memories of The Boston Garden with Rocky Raymond. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22. For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may be subject to change without notice*** questioned whether the money was being spent properly by the School Department. School Committee’s response The Saugus Advocate reached out to the fi ve School Committee members for reaction to the superintendent’s letter. In an email to the newspaper on Wednesday night (March 30), School Committee Vice Chair Vincent Serino provided the following statement as a response from the whole committee: “We’re not going to put the cart before the horse, at this point we have not had any layoff s and are currently looking to avoid layoff s. It’s important that we be totally transparent to our hard-working teachers, administrators and support staff and parents of this district to be aware of any and all possibilities. Our budget is an open book. The increased services our students and families need and deserve were made worse by Covid and are straining our budget. We will continue to identify non-personal savings to keep the budget balanced. “While we continue work on our budget for next year, both the Commonwealth and the Town of Saugus work on theirs. There are many unknowns. We are only midway through this cycle, but it’s our responsibility to plan for all contingencies. “We have always welcomed public comment at every School Committee meeting, and continue to do so now. Our process is open.” Superintendent’s letter Here is what Supt. McMahon wrote earlier this week: Dear Fellow Educators. I am communicating with you today to keep you updated on the status of the budget process in the Town of Saugus. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth are facing rising costs and shrinking resources. Saugus is no different. The same is happening in towns from Gloucester to Newton. I understand the potential outcome of the budget decision may cause concern and anxiety among our staff and families, which is why I will be as transparent as possible during this process. 2021-2022 For those familiar with last year’s budget process, we anticipated that our budget would be tight this school SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 18
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