THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 3, 2023 Page 15 Northeast Metro Tech Electrical Shop students visit International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers S uperintendent David DiBarri announced that seniors in Northeast Metro Tech’s Electrical Shop visited the local training facilities of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in Boston. On Thursday, Oct. 12, Electrical Shop Department Head Frank Zagarella and instructor Mariateresa Bonasera took the Electrical Shop seniors on a field trip to IBEW Local 103. The senior class toured the Local 103’s two training facilities. Students learned about career opportunities available to them through Local 103, including electrical apprenticeship and telecommunications apprenticeship opportunities. While on the ASKS | FROM PAGE 14 sidered carefully. Hatch: No, not currently. Gould: When I first was elected to the School Committee I gave the Ethics Commission a list of all non profits I was associated with and they requested I resign immediately from Healthy Students Healthy Saugus as President. I also was already CORI checked because I volunteered at the Ballard and Veterans Memorial Elementary Library. I have no conflicts professionally, politically or ethically that would Prohibit me from serving. Mastrocola: At this time there aren’t any conflicts that I would disclose. I would absolutely file a disclosure form with the Town if that was required from me. Fisher: No, I’ve never had to abstain from a vote for personal or employment reasons, and I don’t anticipate that happening in the future. Whittredge: Conflicts can pop up for anyone at any time. They will be addressed as they arise. Question Three: Four years ago, a previous School Committee privatized custodial services. Do you believe that was the right decision for the Saugus Public Schools, based on what you see now? Serino: I don’t think we need to go back. I want to move the district forward and discuss the future and how we can grow together. As far as custodial services we have gone to three schools in total, which would affect services to tour, students were able to see and learn about many different aspects of the electrical field, including fire alarm, hospital and security wiring, electric motor controls, safety, electrical theory and electrical transformers. Students also learned about renewable energy and were given a tour of the solar panels and a wind turbine that helps power the building. “This was a great learning opportunity for our students and we are grateful to the IBEW Local 103 for providing this opportunity,” said Superintendent DiBarri. “This tour allowed students to learn about a variety of subjects relating to electrical work and it was a valuable experience for all.” begin with. I would like to see custodians come back in some capacity. I think they add value to the schools and most importantly they become part of the fabric of our schools. Gerow: The privatization of custodians and the decision to do so was a very unfortunate situation for all involved. It divided the town, caused job loss and unrest. I think it would be unfair for me to look back and second guess the decision made - as I was not on the board at that time. I find it dangerous in retrospect to point fingers because we can always see things differently after time has passed. Hatch: Question 3 has been visited, re-visited, and re-visited again.... The buildings are clean, and the cleaning company went above and beyond during covid to keep everyone safe. Gould: I wasn’t on the school committee when this action was taken nor will I Monday morning Quarterback past committee’s decisions, but prefer to focus all my energy and efforts on improving student achievement and continuing the technological and curriculum improvements for Math and English we introduced during my term. We also have started working closer with the Town and the collaboration and cooperation needs to continue to assure we have proper funding and support to continue our positive trends in student achievement, continue free all day kindergarten and important ELA programs. Mastrocola: To go back four Seniors in Northeast Metro Tech’s electrical program visited the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ training center in Boston earlier this month. Pictured from left to right: Front row: Maranda Duff, of Winthrop; Aiden Jones, of Saugus; Alesandre Monge, of Revere; Hamza Khan, of Winthrop; Carmine D’Amelio, of Saugus; Miguel Castano Cadavid, of Revere; Giovanni Robles, of Chelsea; back row: Annmarie HaneyCooke, of Woburn; David Umana Gallegos, of Chelsea; Angel Agular Velasquez, of Revere; Johnny Alvarado, of Chelsea; Gabriel Angel Iraheta, of Revere; Carlos Escobar Cruz, of Woburn; Danny Silveira, of Woburn; Servelio Majano, of Chelsea; Jonathan Manoogian, of Wakefield, Justin Victoria, of Melrose. (Courtesy Northeast Metro Tech) years ago and criticize a committee on their decision is not fair for me to comment on. Sometimes that’s what is holding us all back. We focus so much on the past and criticizing others for their decisions that we never move ahead. Why are we asking about 4 years ago? I am running to make changes for our children and teachers and all the support staff in the Saugus Public Schools now. Keeping my eye on the ball is what will get things done. I can’t perseverate on what was done 4 years ago. Also, I don’t know enough about the new system in place at the schools so that would be unfair for me to comment on at this time. Fisher: Regardless of which side you were on, and I was very passionate at the time, it divided the town. It’s one of two events that, even by bringing them up, takes everyone back in time, dredges up anger and makes it difficult to move forward. Looking back, you had the logistics of how the district was structured, of where it put its resources, and you had the human element, and how that impacted both the people involved and the community itself. I don’t think anyone would say Saugus, or the district, was served well by that situation. I’m focused on moving forward and making the right decisions today. Whittredge: There have been a lot of past decisions made that the benefit of hindsight won’t help. I’m looking forward to making decisions that are in the best interest of the students and the district for continued progress in student achievement. Question Four: What do you consider the most urgent challenge facing Saugus Public Schools and how would you address that challenge? Serino: One of the most urgent challenges is teacher retention and the hiring of specialists. We have a teacher shortage nationwide. Saugus is no different. We continually work on ways to attract new teachers and keep our teachers. I am very proud of the work we did with the teachers to get them a new contract. We raised the pay for starting teachers and put language back in to keep our existing teachers. Teachers and support staff are the backbone of our district. We have the best around and we will continue to support them in their development. Gerow: One of the urgent challenges facing our schools is a combination of teacher retention and ensuring our classrooms have consistent educators. Statewide we are experiencing a teacher shortage. In partnership with our Teachers Union, we need to maintain the strong relationship that the Committee and Teachers have developed. With this, we can ensure Saugus continues to be a place that Educators want to come to work and teach. Hatch: I feel the most urgent challenges facing the district are teaching critical thinking, critical reading skills, and problem-solving skills. In addition to dealing with social/ emotional issues that our students are dealing with daily. This requests additional funding, as well as staffing that is always a challenge. Gould: Our two major challenges that I believe are linked are: 1. The influx of immigrant families into Saugus that will need educational support and transportation. 2. Driven by number 1, it will be a real challenge to absorb the extra needs and funding due immigrant students to assure we continue all programs, all Special needs and assure we continue to grow student achievement for ALL students. How would I address these challenges? 1. Keep the collaboration and cooperation with the town strong. 2. Assist our administrators for seeking and receiving grants 3. Work with TM and REPS to assure any State or Federal aid available to address the surge in immigrant families 4. Identify unique needs for clerk, paras and teachers due to the multiple languages and determine extra funding sources needed to address the same. Mastrocola: Retention of teachers is one of the most urgent matters. Without the teachers there is no learning! Our children are with these teachers 6 hours a day. They develop a bond with them and a certain level of trust. The teachers are faced with a lot more in their classrooms ASKS | SEE PAGE 18
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