Town Election 2025 – Eight candidates explain why they are best qualified to serve on the next Saugus School Committee

(Editor’s Note: Today, in the first of a four-part series leading into the Nov. 4 Town Election, we asked each of the School Committee candidates the following question: What part of your background or past experience best qualifies you to be one of the five members on the next Saugus School Committee? Summarize in 300 words or less the chief assets you possess that set you apart from the other candidates. Here are the responses from the candidates who will be on the ballot seeking a two-year term in one of the five seats. We have listed the candidates alphabetically.)

Roberto Bruzzese, a career educator and former Saugus teacher:

  What best explains my qualifications and explains who I am as a person to best serve the school committee is first my compassion for society and people in our society. At an early age I realized that making a difference in the world is what is important for me to do. As a son of two Italian parents, I realized how tough it was for my parents to come to this country. At this point in my early life I realized getting an education and helping people was important. For me, the best way to do this was to become an educator and a mental health clinical therapist. After seven years of working at Saugus High School and 32 years overall as an educator, I feel that my compassion and experience can help the children and teachers in Saugus. Having both the compassion and experience will best help me be an active member of the school committee. Also, living in Saugus the last 10 years I have an understanding of the families and people in Saugus. All three of these components will make a powerful assist to the town, community and district. Since I am the only educator running for the committee, this will only benefit the community and get what needs to be done in the schools. To conclude, it is my understanding, experience and love of people that will help me be successful as a school committee member.

Brian Doherty, a member of the town Finance Committee:

  I am confident that my background in finance will be a tremendous asset to our district if I am elected. From day one, I will conduct a thorough review of our financial operations to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently and effectively. I will ask the tough questions — are we maximizing our resources, eliminating waste, and exploring every opportunity to strengthen our revenue base? Once I have a complete understanding of our fiscal position, I will share a clear and comprehensive overview with the community so that every resident understands where we stand and where we are headed.

I will also develop data-driven justifications for any requests for additional funding, illustrating both the necessity and the impact of those investments. Transparent, evidence-based decision-making will be at the heart of my approach. I will maintain open and consistent communication with the town manager, finance committee, and town meeting to ensure alignment and accountability throughout the budgeting process. I will provide regular updates on any post-approval budget adjustments, reinforcing transparency and trust across all levels of our local government. I believe we can build a stronger, more financially responsible future for our district.

Andrew Finn, a parent of a child in the Saugus Public Schools:

  I have a daughter in 1st grade at the Veterans Early Learning Center, so I have a direct and personal stake in the long-term success of the Saugus school system. I want to make sure our schools continue to support students, teachers, and families effectively — not just for today, but for years to come.

While I have not previously served on a school committee, I bring leadership experience from other community organizations. I served on the Leadership Committee of the New England Epilepsy Society and currently serve as Treasurer & IT Director for Volunteer Musicians for the Arts.

Professionally, I have a strong background in quantitative analysis and problem-solving. I focus on facts, clear communication, and finding practical solutions. I believe this perspective will complement the strengths of others on the committee and help ensure thoughtful, responsible decision-making for Saugus schools.

Joseph “Dennis” Gould, a former Saugus School Committee member:

  My past experience volunteering for five years as librarian at Veterans Memorial when it was K-5, four years on School Committee during COVID pandemic and past six years on Saugus School Committee Policy and Athletic Sub Committees , along with having a student in 10th grade I have brought to school and picked up every day since kindergarten, has kept my awareness of the needs of our students, teachers and School District Administrators current, so I would be able to contribute from Day 1 of new term and School Committee Team.

I also during my stint on the School Committee, pushed for and was successful in getting a Librarian for Belmonte and an arts/music teacher for elementary.

Reading development in early school years, in my opinion, is key to furthering academics and arts, music, sports and clubs are also key learning for leadership, teaming, problem solving and developing social skills to prepare our students for Military, apprenticeship in trades, college and/or workforce.

Since I go to many of the boys and girls sporting events all three seasons and attend as many drama, chorus and band performances as I can, I get an opportunity to talk with many parents and get their feedback on what is working well and/or what we could be doing better in our district.

I am ready to step in on Day one to make a positive impact on our School District.

Please check #3 Gould on School Committee Ballot!

Arthur Grabowski, a former Saugus School Committee member:

  “EXPERIENCE”…there can be no substitute for experience…when elected I will have no learning curve…having served several terms on the school committee I am well versed in the workings of the committee…I have participated in negotiating several collective bargaining agreements as well as food service, custodial and bussing contracts. I have extensive knowledge of the school department budget and what it takes to make the budget work to secure the best possible outcomes to enhance student achievement. I have attended several Massachusetts Association of School Committees week long training sessions when we networked and had discussions with school committees throughout the state. These training sessions and contacts allowed me to develop useful best practices as well as developing resource contacts to gain a wider view of what kind of school system allows for the best outcomes in student achievement.. Probably my best experience I have developed during my past membership of the school committee is an extensive line item by line item understanding of the budget….Saugus is facing some important decisions that will have to be made concerning the best allocation of funds that we have to work with….there is no open checkbook, pot of money sitting somewhere that we can draw on to spend without facing some far reaching consequences….I have developed a good working relationship with the Town Manager and other town meeting members so that the school budget gets adequate funding to accomplish the goal of increased student achievement. I believe that my past experience uniquely qualifies me for one of your five votes for School Committee. Thank You.

Stephanie Mastrocola, incumbent Saugus School Committee member:

  Thank you for the question. Having already served for two years, I have a good understanding for what we need to accomplish versus what we can accomplish. I have learned that without persistence and doing your own research (which is a very important one) and having the confidence to stand up for what you think is the right thing to do is extremely important.

I have spent countless hours on the phone, on the computer, but most of all out in the community. The soccer field, the school events where you see and hear what goes on. I meet with the principles, and I tour the schools. I don’t rely on social media for my information. I’m all about facts and going right to the source.

My son went through the Saugus school system from kindergarten to the eighth grade. I was heavily involved in the schools and got to see firsthand what the teachers and students had to deal with. Some was good and some not so much. Most of all what I will always pride myself on is, I ask questions, and I’m truly concerned. I have a complex job as a nurse which entails dealing with issues that require compassion, thought out thinking and figuring out the best way to achieve something that sometimes isn’t always easy. I will always be honest in what I can and cannot achieve. I will work just as hard if not harder if reelected for a second term. Thank you.

Shannon McCarthy, a parent and active PTO member:

  I am an involved community member, active in the PTO, fundraising, and act as an advocate for those learning to navigate our town. Most importantly, I am a mother, a friend, and a resident who believes that Saugus has every tool we need to be the best community to live in; we simply need to leverage those tools more effectively.

My background in business has prepared me to take on this role with a practical and solution-driven mindset. I have experience developing partnerships, managing budgets, and leading teams where collaboration was essential. In these roles, I built a strong ability to foster cooperation, bring diverse voices together, and reach consensus to achieve shared goals. I also bring the ability to view challenges from a macro perspective, acting proactively and strategically to anticipate needs rather than simply reacting to them. This is a cornerstone belief of my School Committee campaign.

As a parent and community advocate, I understand firsthand the importance of ensuring every child and family feels supported within our schools. Through my work with the PTO and fundraising initiatives, I have connected people and resources to deliver meaningful results. These experiences have reinforced the value of transparency, accountability, and relationship-building to strengthen our school community.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine the personal, being deeply invested in our children’s future, with the professional, drawing on business expertise to navigate budgets, partnerships, and long-term planning. I believe in leveraging both perspectives to create lasting success.

My goal is to help shape a school system where students are empowered, families are engaged, and opportunities are maximized. With leadership experience, a collaborative approach, and proactive big-picture thinking, I am ready to bring both heart and skill to the Saugus School Committee.

Thomas Whittredge, incumbent Saugus School member:

  What makes me best qualified is the fact that I am currently the Vice Chairman and served as Chairman twice before that. The first term I served as Chairman was during the most difficult time in modern history, the Covid 19 pandemic.

From my time serving on the committee, I helped lay the groundwork for some of the things that are coming into play now.

I also have a unique perspective and have a good pulse on what goes on from day to day within the schools, as I have 4 children in the district, a 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th grader. I share the same concerns as many parents around the district have and want to ensure these concerns are addressed. My main concern is to improve upon the areas we struggle in as a district and work to improve the educational experience for all students. Even though we have made great strides, sometimes it’s frustrating to see little things we can improve on that will make a big difference.

Serving the families and community of Saugus has been a passion of mine for over a decade, from coaching town basketball, youth football, and being the Little League President. My decisions have and will always be in the best interest of the students.

I hope to gain your vote and continue to strive for excellence within the Saugus Public Schools.