THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, August 30, 2019 Page 9 From Saugus to Lawrence Town Accountant Matarazzo landed a job as Finance Director of Lawrence Public Schools By Mark E. Vogler F or five years, Town Accountant Donna Matarazzo has been a key part of the financial team that town officials have credited with putting Saugus’s financial house in order. Late last week, Matarazzo gave notice that she will resign effective Sept. 13. She told The Saugus Advocate that she was happy in the Saugus job, but accepted a more challenging job with a bigger budget in a city – as finance director of Lawrence Public Schools. “Saugus has been good to me,” Matarazzo said in an interview in her basement office at Town Hall on Wednesday (Aug. 28). “I just wanted to go on the other side of municipal finance and get to work on the schools. This is an opportunity to do that,” she said. “Now, I get to work on a $200 million school budget that funds 34 schools in a district that has 15,000 students. The overall budget for Saugus is $110 million…” she said. Matarazzo, an East Boston native, said she has thought about seeking finance work in the schools for several years. “I’ve always wanted school finance. My brother is a teacher in Revere. With children, I have an interest in the schools,” she said. Matarazzo, her husband and their two children moved recently from Salem to North Andover, a town that abuts part of Lawrence. “The Town of Saugus has come a long way since I began working here,” Matarazzo said. “It’s been a good time. I’ve learned a lot and I will miss the people here. They have a lot of heart in Saugus. The people who live here really care,” she said. Matarazzo has a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in accounting from Salem State College (2004). After graduation she worked for more than a dozen years in corporate accounting before going to work for the Town of Saugus. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree called Matarazzo an asset to Saugus town government. “I would like to thank Donna Matarazzo for her five years of dedicated service to the Town of Saugus, its residents, and employees,” Crabtree said in an email to The Saugus Advocate yesterday. “The Town of Saugus was incredibly fortunate that Donna contributed her extensive knowledge and experience to the Accounting Department and community as a whole,” the town manager said. “This is a remarkable vertical career opportunity for her with more responsibility and an increase in pay, and I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to her. We are extremely grateful for her time here in Saugus and we wish her the best in this new opportunity. She will certainly be missed.” TIME TO COME | FROM PAGE 7 school,” Smith said. One exciting initiative for Oaklandvale students this year is joining other schools in the computer age, he said. “This year, we’re adding a digital literacy program and we’re also increasing the Chromebook usage,” Smith said. The school is also taking a look at childhood trauma and recognizing outside factors that contribute to it. Is there something going on in the child’s life that causes chronic absenteeism or chronic tardiness? “It can extend from homelessness, the death of a parent or a loved one or even moving – something that could disrupt the child’s life,” Smith said. “We educate the whole child and make sure the child has wraparound support, from the time he or she is dropped at school until it’s time to be picked up,” he said. TIME TO COME | SEE PAGE 18 Lawnmower Tune-Up and Repairs • We repair all makes & models! • Authorized • FREE PICK-UP for all Tune-Ups! all m • We r d K-U makes & mo ma akes & mo D KU for all Tun UP fo 1039 Broadway, Revere • (781) 289-6466 Biker’s Outfitter (781) 289 , ee (8) 89 www.bikersoutfitter.com WE WORK FOR YOU! * Have your car repaired by Real Manufacturer Certiified Technicians * An I-CAR GOLD CLASS SHOP Highest Certificate in the Repair Industry * Premier Insurance Co. Collision Repair Shop for Geico, Liberty Mutual, Metlife, Progressive and more! * Over 30 Years of putting families back on the Road Safe & Fast! * ATLAS Stands Behind All Repairs with a Limited Lifetime Warranty 1605 North Shore Road, Revere * 781-284-1200 Visit us at: www.AtlasAutobody.com or call (781) 284-1200 to schedule your appointment today! Dealer
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