Saugus’ top educator reflects on 2024

It was a year marked by the hiring of Saugus High’s first female principal and a lifelong Saugonian as athletic director, the loss of several prominent Saugus educators and the retirement of a 40-year veteran teacher

By Michael C. Hashem

Superintendent, Saugus Public Schools

The Saugus Public Schools have gone through several changes and transitions during 2024. Our Saugus Middle High School Complex is now under new leadership. Dr. Carla Scuzzarella became the first female principal of Saugus High School and is now the principal of the Saugus Middle High School Complex. Her veteran leadership has already started a positive cultural shift in the Complex. An additional change was made to the Athletic Department with the hiring of lifelong Saugonian and Saugus High School alumnus Matthew Serino. Serino too brings his veteran leadership to his role, and he is seeking to reestablish a sense of Sachem Pride and a return to the glory days of our program. Both additions bring a sense of the community of Saugus to our schools.

This year also saw some losses to the Saugus Public Schools family. Just last week, Saugus High School endured the tragic passing of current and longtime history teacher and former coach Michael Broderick. Mike was a positive influence to countless students during his 27 years in our school. His loss was shocking, and his presence will be sorely missed by students and staff alike. Former educators Ronald Ahern and Myron Manoogian both passed away in 2024. Personally, I was both a student and colleague of these two teachers, coaches and mentors, and I will forever be grateful to have known and worked with these two educational icons. Lastly, the second longest tenured current employee of the Saugus Public Schools stepped away and retired in 2024. William Palmerini spent nearly 40 years in our schools teaching and mentoring thousands of students during his career.

There were also several changes in our instructional areas of focus. As we entered the year 2024, we had focus areas designed to promote student learning, improve instruction, provide aligned curriculum and establish open two-way communication. We continued our curriculum integration using high-quality instructional materials while providing staff with professional development and support. While our goals for the 2023-2024 school year stay in place, we added additional areas of focus that align with our five-year strategic plan. Our primary focus areas for 2024-2025 are (1) develop a work culture and environment to ensure Saugus is a district where educators are valued, appreciated and motivated, (2) offer students in all grades access to opportunities that match their talents and interests, (3) provide all students with standards-aligned, consistently outstanding instruction within a supportive learning environment.

In conjunction with our goals and objectives, our schools were able to put together a vast enrichment program for our students at all grade levels. The priority focus area for our newly created enrichment program was students in our upper elementary and middle school; providing them with after school activities and instructional support where none was previously available. Thanks to the support of the Town and their funding, students were able to participate in robotics, arts and fitness opportunities, as well as tutoring and remediation services to provide academic support for struggling and/or highly motivated students. The program is in its infancy and hopefully can be expanded and funded moving forward.

As the calendar shifts from 2024 to 2025, we will be working to continue to focus on the needs of our students and our collaboration with the community of Saugus. Our administration will continue to work in collaboration with the School Committee, town manager, police and fire departments, town meeting members, Selectmen, finance committee, Saugus Youth and Recreation, Saugus Historical Commission, Saugus Alumni Association, SBEC, facilities department, the DPW, and all of the in-town groups and organizations to continue with our One Town – One Team philosophy. I am sure I left some group, person or organization off the list; if I did it was only because there are so many groups that work with our schools to support our students. If there is one resolution that I would say we have for our schools, it would be to continue to collaborate with all stakeholders, parents, guardians, caregivers, community members, teachers, staff and students to make Saugus Someplace Special. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and I look forward to many successes in 2025 and beyond.