THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 Page 3 Ready to sign on with Saugus School Committee members were poised last night to approve a contract for a new leader for Saugus Public Schools By Mark E. Vogler S chool Committee members were expected to approve a contract last night that would make Erin McMahon the fi rst woman superintendent to lead Saugus Public Schools. The meeting hadn’t yet begun before yesterday’s deadline of The Saugus Advocate. But committee ViceChair Ryan Fisher was optimistic that McMahon – who was the committee’s unanimous choice from the four fi - nalists selected from an original fi eld of 25 candidates – had support for her contract, with a vote scheduled for last night. “While I’ve learned by now to never promise ‘routine,’ I do expect a quick approval,” Fisher told The Saugus Advocate yesterday. “Dr. DeRuosi has been our superintendent for fi ve years. In the fi ve years prior, we had four superintendents and a revolving door, and it was diffi cult for us to fi nd any traction. We’ve learned the lesson there and we’re going to deliver on stability,” Fisher said. “Erin McMahon has an outstanding skill set and a proven record of leadership. Every time I’ve spoken to her she tells me she’s all-in on Saugus, 100 percent, and can’t wait to get started. The contract we’ll approve Thursday makes it clear we want her to succeed, allows the community to invest in its superintendent and allows her to invest in us. I asked her during her interview how long she wanted to stay on as superintendent, and she said until the job is done. We have a big job ahead of us.” McMahon, 47, of Marblehead, currently the senior advisor to state Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley, was the committee’s 4-0 LET’S GO! Erin McMahon, who was expected to become the next superintendent of Saugus Public Schools last night, gives School Committee members the thumbs up in one of her interviews. unanimous choice earlier this month to replace retiring School Superintendent David DeRuosi, Jr. School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge abstained from the vote because of a potential confl ict of interest, as his sister, Dawn Trainor, is the executive director of Pupil Personnel Services & Special Education – a high administrative position that reports directly to the superintendent. DeRuosi’s contract expires on June 30, which is the fi nal day of the 2020-21 academic school year and the 2021 fi scal year and also the end of his fi fth year as superintendent. Details of the contract were not immediately available, but the School Committee was reportedly pressing for a fi ve-year contract with McMahon, who would offi cially begin work on July 1 – the start of the 2022 fi scal year. “She's been taking meetings in the district and will continue to do so. She was in the schools this week meeting with staff and students,” Fisher said. The School Committee has (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) spent untold hours on the negotiations, according to Fisher, who noted that it was worth it. “It was our fi rst real chance to work with her and really see her in action,” Fisher said. SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 15 We pay tribute and honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA 01906
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