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Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 CLASSROOM | FROM PAGE 1 his decision, which appeared to be influenced greatly by a challenging year of having to deal with COVID-19. In the letter, he noted that “our Saugus Middle High School Complex has enjoyed its first year as the flagship school in Saugus.” “While the pandemic delayed our opening; we were able to end the year on a positive note and return most of our students to an in-person learning model and begin to see the resources available in our new complex,” Hashem wrote. “The completion of this project, combined with a transition HIS FUTURE IS MATH: Saugus High Principal Michael Hashem looks ahead to becoming a math teacher again next fall. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) to a new building, merging of two staffs, navigating through a global pandemic, serving five months as an interim superintendent, and serving eight years as a principal has taken its toll. I have no regrets about the sacrifices I have made and I am proud of these accomplishments, but it is time for my next chapter,” he said. “My health and family need to be a priority and I hope you all realize how grateful I have been to have this opportunity to be your principal. While this is the end of a chapter, it is not the end of my career in education nor working in Saugus,” he continued. Hashem said his intentions are to return to the classroom in a familiar role he had played earlier in his career as a mathematics teacher – which he described as a “critical … perhaps a more important role.” Hashem declined to be interviewed for this story, stressA SIGNATURE MOMENT: In one of his final tasks as Saugus High School principal, Michael Hashem hands out an honorary diploma to U.S. Navy veteran Joseph “Lenny” Atkinson during the school’s 150th Commencement Exercises earlier this month. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) ing he thinks a copy of his letter – which he provided The Saugus Advocate – “just about covers it all.” Retiring Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. was unavailable for comment and did not respond to a text message sent by the newspaper. But four School Committee members interviewed by The Saugus Advocate said that Brendon Sullivan, who is currently executive director of curriculum, instruction, & accountability, has been appointed to succeed Hashem as High School Principal. School Committee members lauded Hashem’s leadership and times as principal. “Mike is and has always been a class act,” School Committee Chair Thomas Whittredge said of Hashem, who has spent three decades as an educator in his hometown’s public schools system. “I thank him for his eight years of leadership at the High School and as interim superintendent. Without him, the move from the old High School to the new complex would not have been a smooth one. He will be a valuable asset in his return to the classroom,” Whittredge said. The School Chair said that committee members learned of Sullivan’s appointment as the next superintendent like everyone else – through social media. “I’m not sure that he [DeRuosi] officially announced it, but it’s out there and has been relayed to the staff at the complex,” Whittredge said. Whittredge called Sullivan “a great guy.” “I’m glad we got to keep him in the district,” he said. “Brendon Sullivan is a well-respected leader who is more than ready to step in and steer us towards raising student achievement.” Committee members praise Hashem Here’s what other School Committee members said about Hashem stepping down as High School principal and what they thought about his apparent successor: School Committee ViceChair Ryan Fisher: “I just want to thank Mike for all of his hard work, especially over these last two years. He shut down a building with seventy years of history during a global pandemic and made sure nothing was lost or misplaced. They practically had to demolish the building around him. He got staff and students through the most difficult years of education they may ever have, and now he’s going to do his most important job. He’s going to teach in a classroom. I’m appreciative of him for always being available and reCLASSROOM | SEE PAGE 17

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