Saugus’ top educator reflects on 2023

Michael C. Hashem’s 30-year career took an unexpected turn – from High School math teacher to superintendent

  (Editor’s Note: When Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Erin McMahon went on paid administrative leave in January in the midst of an investigation into her alleged misconduct, the School Committee turned to former Saugus High Principal Michael C. Hashem to get the school district through some challenging times. Hashem, who was teaching High School math, agreed to serve as acting superintendent – something he had done back in 2016 when the school district was looking to hire a new superintendent. Hashem served as Saugus’ temporary education leader for about nine and a half months. After School Committee members voted to fire McMahon on Nov. 2, they made an offer to Hashem to serve as superintendent in his hometown on a full-time basis. Hashem, a 1985 Saugus High School graduate who worked eight years as the Saugus High principal before returning to the classroom in June of 2021, accepted the position. Hashem agreed to sign a three-year contract that will keep him as superintendent through June 30, 2027. He agreed to write the following article as a message to the community about how he is embracing one of the biggest challenges of his career as a Saugus educator.)

By Michael C. Hashem

Superintendent, Saugus Public Schools

The Saugus Public Schools have been a huge part of my life for over 50 years. First as a student, then a student-teacher, teacher, advisor, coach, curriculum specialist, curriculum director, principal, and now superintendent. For me serving the Town of Saugus has been a privilege. As your superintendent, I am honored, proud, and humbled to serve our district and community. I am thankful for the School Committee’s confidence in me, but it will require a true team effort to keep us moving forward.

As a district we are focused on supporting students, staff, and families and providing a safe and welcoming learning environment. Another focus is communication. We want to ensure that we provide open and detailed communication to all stakeholders. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, we will promote student learning through aligned curriculum and targeted instruction. As an educator for over thirty years these have always been priorities and as a parent and a member of the Saugus community this is especially important for me now. We will continue to work as a district to collaborate with the town and the members of the community to support our One Town – One Team approach.

Our key goals and focus for the district are: (1) supporting teachers through coaching and professional development to create the learning environments needed to effectively support all students, (2) strengthening communication and engagement efforts so that students, staff, parents and caregivers are seen, heard, and feel connected to the Saugus Public Schools, and (3) providing all students with standards-aligned, consistently outstanding instruction in supportive learning environments.

As we move forward, we hope to offer our students the opportunity to learn and flourish in our schools. We as a community need to always keep in mind that the students are our priority. We want our schools safe, welcoming, and productive learning environments. Please realize that I, along with the leadership team, will make decisions with our students and their safety and success as our priorities.

As we close out one calendar year and move on to the next, there is often reflection as it relates to each past year, and anticipation for the upcoming year. As I reflect on the year 2023, I can honestly say that it did not go as I forecasted on December 31^st, 2022. At this time last year, I was teaching two Geometry classes, two Precalculus classes, and one Calculus class. My oldest was home from her first semester in college, and was looking ahead as the coach of Girls 7th Grade Travel Basketball. How quickly things change.

While my fate and plans have shifted, I am excited about the challenges that I have faced and will continue to embrace. Along with members of the district and school leadership, we will continue to be visiting classrooms in 2024 to ensure that the curriculum is integrated with integrity, and that both staff and students have what they need to be successful. Not every problem will be solved nor will every issue be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, but your concerns will be heard, evaluated, and solutions will be attempted to make certain that our students have what they need to be safe and successful.