Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 FINAL | FROM PAGE 5 istration from Cambridge College (1993). What they say about the challenges of Saugus McMahon: “I think that as a community, you have an incredible tradition and you have families who continue to choose again and again to come back to Saugus. And so, you’re not just educating kids, but educating generations of the Town of Saugus. I think it’s incredibly important. And if I had the honor of becoming superintendent, I would be taking on that mantle. Really, this is about the generations of the families in Saugus and not just the kids who are in school right now.” Ferrick: “I did my due diliAUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Is your vehicle ready for the Summer Season?!! Recharge your vehicle's AC for the warm weather! Includes up to 1 LB. of Refrigerant* (*Most Vehicles/Some Restrictions May Apply) AC SPECIAL Only $69.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! 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There’s also significant differences in the community. I’m not saying they’re comparable at all. But the work that needs to be done in terms of improving the teaching and learning and climate and culture – and building trust within the community in Saugus is work that I have been doing for the last four years in the trenches with my sleeves rolled up. And we’re beginning to see some outcome data of change and we’ve been very significantly focused on two main priorities – teaching/learning, climate and culture and where the intersection of them are. I just feel like the work that I’ve been doing as a deputy is very similar to the work and how I can lead Saugus.” Tiano: “So, what entices me about Saugus? I look at the commitment that this community has just made in your schools and facilities. They are beautiful. And the organization and the work that’s being done there, I think is great. And that by itself is not enticing enough in terms of what’s going to happen in those schools. I’ve looked at your DESE [state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education] reFINAL | SEE PAGE 17 Replacing DeRuosi Superintendent Search Committee chair credits his panel with “great job” in fielding the list of finalists By Mark E. Vogler S chool Committee ViceChair Ryan Fisher offered high praise for the four finalists being considered for the next superintendent of Saugus Public Schools. Fisher, who chaired the 15-member Superintendent Search Committee which recently recommended a list of four candidates as possible choices to replace the retiring Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr., lauded the search committee in an interview yesterday. “That I’ve had community members reach out to me to say positive things about every candidate for the superintendency tells me the screening committee did a great job,” Fisher told The Saugus Advocate. DeRuosi plans to retire effective June 30, at the end of the current school year, which would end his service to the town at five years. It will also be the final day of the 2021 fiscal year that began last July 1. Fisher also offered his major takeaways on this week’s interviews for each of the candidates, stressing their strong points: • Frank Tiano, who is currently the superintendent of Uxbridge Public Schools: “Dr. Tiano is the one sitting superintendent in the mix, and while he gave a lot of great information on how he’d move the district forward, what stood out to me was how he directly and honestly he spoke of confronting past challenges, learning from them, taking responsibility and moving forward. “This is a difficult job and we know that the next superintendent is going to have challenging days, and what’s as important if not more important as avoiding difficulties is how they’re handled once they do and will happen.” • Eric Tracy, the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School principal. He is the lone candidate among the finalists who has no previous experience as a school superintendent. “Mr. Tracy is an experienced principal and a strong communicator and showed the enthusiasm and energy he’d bring to the job. “It stands out to me that ONE COMMITTEE MEMBER’S TAKE ON THE FINALISTS: School Committee Vice-Chair Ryan Fisher, who chaired the 15-member Superintendent Search Committee, gave rave reviews on each of the four candidates being considered for appointment as the next superintendent of Saugus Public Schools. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) he’s focused much of his career on the high school side of the system but spoke comfortably and knowledgeably about our youngest students as well, and is truly a handson, roll-his-sleeves-up, I’llcome-to-you leader. I don’t have any doubt he’s ready for the superintendency.” • Erin McMahon, who is currently advisor to state Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley: “Ms. McMahon has an impeccable resume. She’s worked in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Denver, has been an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, a regional superintendent, a senior advisor to the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, and has a proven track record at raising student achievement. “One person told me they turned on the TV with the intention of only watching for a few minutes and stayed for her entire panel. She’s a tremendous communicator.” • Margo Ferrick, who has been Deputy Superintendent of Southbridge Public Schools since June 2017: “Two things stood out to me about Dr. Ferrick. The first is her work experience and ethic. She’s worked REPLACING | SEE PAGE 17
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