THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021 Page 7 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. A super special superintendent It’s not every day that a Massachusetts school district that is striving for improvement gets a chance to hire the senior advisor to the commissioner of the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. So, it had to strike School Committee members as an intriguing opportunity when they learned that a top aid from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley’s office was among the 25 resumes from people aspiring to be the next superintendent of Saugus Public Schools. There was a consensus among all five School Committee members that Erin McMahon, Riley’s senior advisor, is truly the right person to take charge of Saugus’s public education system. The other three candidates made compelling cases to the committee as people who are well qualified to succeed the retiring Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. But one glance at McMahon’s resume made it difficult for committee members to think about picking anybody else. After the committee’s 4-0 vote to hire McMahon, we decided to get some comments from the committee on what impresses them the most about the next superintendent of Saugus Public Schools and what they think sets McMahon above the rest of the field. Here’s what three of the members had to say: School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge: “I’m very excited to have the chance to work with Erin McMahon. What impressed me the most about Erin was her experience in different cities around the country, especially Washington, D.C., and New York, more specifically the Bronx. I think she will offer a different type of leadership for the district and bring a change to the way we view education in Saugus. The future is bright and I’m excited to be a part of it. School Committee Vice-Chair Ryan Fisher, who also chaired the 25-member Superintendent Search Committee, which recommended the four finalists: “All of the superintendent applicants, especially our four finalists, were enormously talented and ready, but even in that group, Erin McMahon stood out. Everyone who watched her public forum and interview saw someone with facts at her fingertips, deep experience to draw from, a calming presence and full command of the room, even though we were the ones interviewing her. She’s a graduate of Yale and Cornell, has worked in major districts all over the country, big and small, at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and she’s a college professor. She’s raised student achievement. She’s bilingual. She’s an athlete. At some point you’re going to run out of print space. She’s going to do an outstanding job.” Veteran School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski: “I believe the three candidates that we didn’t choose will be excellent superintendents in the future. But Ms. McMahon has educational credentials that show a very wide breadth of experience. She has some business expertise. She has some real-world experience in inner cities. She has experience in schools that needed a turnaround program implemented. She just has the abilities and talents that Saugus is in need of at this point in time. “I would hope that as our next superintendent, Ms. McMahon would review critically the District Review that was done by outside educational consultants to build upon their recommendations to where Saugus is no longer considered an underperforming district, but will have received extraordinary results that the students and parents can be proud of. I’m hoping to put the last five years behind us and look forward to an exciting time in Saugus where we can become an example of a high-performing school district.” Future superintendent welcomes new challenges Soon-to-be Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Erin McMahon emailed a brief message yesterday, expressing her appreciation to Saugus residents and town officials. “I am thrilled to be the next superintendent for the Saugus Public Schools, and believe my experience is a great match with what the Saugus community was looking for in a superintendent,” McMahon said. “I was impressed by the entire community’s investment in the process, especially the School Committee and the members of the Superintendent Search Committee. I am really looking forward to working with the students and families in Saugus to ensure every child achieves academic success.” Stay tuned. We have a winner! We have a winner in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. Congratulations to Ruth Berg, who contacted us with the correct answer. Here’s last week’s answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “The answer to the sketch is John Kane Scouts Troop Leader of # 62 & Kevin Wildman Scouts Troop Leader of # 61! John Kane earned his Eagles Badge in 1992 and Kevin Wildman his Eagle badge in 1989. of Selectmen. And we thought it was worth repeating, since we didn’t have a reader-generated “shout-out” for this week’s paper: “I’d like to request a citation from the Board in recognition of the retirement of Sgt. Maj Ken Oswald from Lynn English Marine Corps JROTC. Sgt Maj and the cadets have been an integral part of the Veterans Council’s ceremonies for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, POW/MIA Day and more for the better part of 10 years. He has played a significant role in the Town of Saugus’ patriotic ceremonies and celebrations and the cadets of Lynn English were named the honorary Honor Guard for the Veterans Council. The citation will be presented at the Memorial Day Ceremony on May 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.” Want to “Shout-Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout-Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. No Memorial Day Parade, but… The Saugus Veterans Council is planning a ceremony for Memorial Day. There won’t be a parade, but they are planning to have a ceremony at Riverside Cemetery at 10 a.m. GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED? In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who was sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who correctly identifies the Saugonians being sketched between now and Tuesday at noon qualifies to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) “These two men are responsible for helping a number of Scouts achieve the high rank of an Eagle Scout. The Scouting Program makes a tremendous difference in a kid’s life in almost every aspect! “These Scouts learn and gain so many new experiences even if they do not make the elite high rank of an Eagle. They still walk away with a wealth of fun and knowledge and new friends. “The Scouts learn new trades, life skills, first aid, camping skills, survival skills, develop Character, Citizenship and respect for Our flag, outings, Trainings, Awards Nights and cookouts at Camp Nihan and Camping experiences all over such as Grand Canyon! “The Scouting Program makes such a difference in kids’ lives and this one in Saugus has these two highly skilled Leaders. Kevin has been honored with prestigious medals, such as Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award and the list of honors of these two is quite impressive as well as their Public Services Outreaches. “As Scout Masters John & Kevin organize all kinds of Public Service Projects assisting the Scouts to choose and Learn to budget; they teach the Scouts Leadership skills and skills of organizing priorities and a vast array of business skills. “The Military recognizes and honors Eagle Scouts, upon entering by giving them an automatic pay raise just for the rank of Eagle Scout. They realize it’s a hard rank to achieve, but with Kevin and John Kane pulling for the Scouts, training them, they are in great training hands to make this Eagle Scout rank Goal come true. Thankyou John Kane & Kevin Wildman. “Yours Truly, “The Sketch Artist” A patriotic “Shout-Out” Board of Selectmen Vice-Chair Corinne Riley made the following request at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Board A community garden update The Rev. John Beach of St. John’s Episcopal Church said his growing crew of volunteers for the community garden in the backyard of the church rectory on Central Street can still use some help. If you have some free time today (Friday, May 7) from 8 to 11 a.m. or tomorrow (Saturday, May 8) from 9 to 11 a.m., you are welcome to join him. “We will be spreading the mulch and erecting the rabbit fence. If any are available to come over for an hour during that time, it would be greatly appreciated,” Rev. Beach said in an email this week. “If these times are not convenient and you would like to help out on another date, please let me know and we can arrange for a task to do on your own. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.” You can call him at 774-961-9881. Saugus Rotary Club awards scholarships The Saugus Rotary Club recently awarded $4,500 in college scholarships to three graduating members of the Saugus High School Class of 2021. They were selected for their outstanding academic, leadership and community service qualities. Here are the recipients: KYLE BERNARD: received the John Dean Memorial Scholarship ($1,500). He will be attending Northeastern University, studying Pharmaceutical Sciences. DANIELA MARQUEZ: received the Kang Yu Memorial Scholarship (1,500). She will be attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, studying Mathematics. She would like a career in the field of Engineering. MATTHEW RUGGIERO: received the David Carleton Leadership Scholarship ($1,500). He will be attending UMass Amherst, pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy. Steve Tarpey and Kathy Cucinelli, Co-Chairpersons of the THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 10 THE LONG SHOT: Carol and Bob Long celebrated their 55th anniversary last Friday (April 30) following the Fleet breakfast at the American Legion Hall. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate)
8 Publizr Home