Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – WEDnESDAy, nOVEmbEr 22, 2023 School offi cials expect a smooth transition as Superintendent Michael Hashem assumes a more permanent leadership role overseeing Saugus Public Schools By Mark E. Vogler L ess than a month after the firing of Schools Superintendent Erin McMahon, the Saugus Public Schools is moving forward with her replacement, Michael Hashem, who had previously served for 10 months Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 as the interim superintendent. At last week’s (Nov. 16) meeting, Hashem briefed the School Committee on his plans to prepare for the next fiscal year, which will begin July 1, 2024. Hashem told the committee that he is already meeting with principals and school administrators in crafting next year’s School Department budget. Principals are also preparing their respective school improvement plans, which are expected to be presented at the Nov. 30 School Committee meeting. School officials expect a smooth transition as Hashem assumes a more permanent role overseeing the operations of the school district. He’s a Saugus native who has spent 32 years as a public school educator in his hometown. “The teachers and educators and leadership team haven’t taken their eye off the ball,” School Committee Member Ryan Fisher remarked this week. “ They’ve invested and worked hard, and there’s a lot of hard work still to come, but amazing things are happening. Mike is very well respected across the board. I have every confi dence in him,” he said. The newly elected School Committee held its fi rst meeting last week, an organizational one, in which the chair and the vice chair were elected for the two-year term. School Committee Chair Vincent A. Serino topped the fi eld of seven candidates to claim his first full two-year term as chair. Former School Committee Member Thomas Richard Whittredge – the top vote-getter in the previous two elections – fi nished just 21 votes behind Serino. He will serve as the committee’s vice chair. Meanwhile, newcomer Stephanie Lauren Mastrocola fi nished 250 votes behind Serino to claim the third spot. Voters reelected John S. Hatch and Ryan P. Fisher to their third consecutive two-year terms, as they finished fourth and fi fth, respectively. Two incumbent School Committee members – Leigh M. Gerow and Joseph Dennis Gould – lost their seats. Both former committee members drew praise from their colleagues at last week’s meeting. “They will be missed,” Serino said. “But, I know in my heart, I will see them both back up here,” he said. Gerow appeared at last week’s meeting and pledged to continue working to help the school district. In his last meeting before the election, it was Gould who made the motion that Hashem be hired as the next superintendent and added that committee members begin working on a contract for him to keep him in that position. “Mr. Hashem has been a very calming force in the district for the last few months,” Gould told Committee members at their Nov. 2 meeting. Committee Member Hatch agreed. “When we were faced with adversity, we asked a lot of Mr. Hashem and he stepped up,” Hatch told colleagues. “The district was in a bit of turmoil. I think he’s done a great job at stirring the ship through diffi cult waters,” he said. SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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