Langlois has big plans for Saugus

SAUGUS – Richard Langlois already has plans in motion to make his mark on his office as well as the district as the new Superintendent of Schools.Langlois started his first official day on the job Tuesday tearing down shelves and doing a bit of rearranging in his office, but was caught off guard when town employees showed up for coffee.Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Donna McNeil planned a coffee hour and invited town employees to meet their newest colleague. She just forgot to tell Langlois.He took the interruption in stride as colleagues from Town Hall and Public Safety as well as the Roby School, which houses Langlois’ office, dropped by in an open-house fashion to say hello.Langlois said he’s done some meeting and greeting but there are still plenty of faces to get to know. He’s met with the union heads and principals but Langlois said he’s only visited four of the six schools.He has not been shy in jumping into the job with both feet however.Langlois knew coming into the job he would have to fill a key personnel roll with the retirement of Pupil Personnel Director Judy Masucci.”I’m already into finding a replacement for Judy,” he said. “I’ll move to act on July 10th.”July 10th will be Langlois’ first School Committee meeting.Langlois said he’s also procured an assistant principal for Charles Nasso, principal at the Belmonte Middle School. He said he’s also acted on the budget, developing a plan to return the reading teachers to their initial jobs as reading teachers but said otherwise he isn’t spending any money.”I won’t do anything until I can sit down with (Finance Manager) Richard (Weeks),” he said.Meanwhile, he still has some settling in to do.Langlois said he plans to paint the office and trade in the circa-1970s television in the corner for a flat screen. And while he is clearly making the space his own, more than one town employee noticed one similarity between the new guy and his predecessor.Administrative Assistant Sue Dunn pulled a sign from one of Langlois’ boxes of belongings.”I like it,” she said before flashing the sign that read, ‘It is what it is.'”Belichick,” Langlois said referring to New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick.It was also one of former Superintendent Keith Manville’s favorite sayings.Langlois said he is happy to be on board and glad the long hiring process is over.”There is a lot to just getting settled in,” he added. “I’m finding my points of reference.”