Over 95 percent of Saugus grads off to college

SAUGUS – After the 174 students of the Saugus High class of 2011 received their diplomas earlier this month, families and school staff have another reason to smile. According to superintendent Richard Langlois, 95.2 percent of students will attend two- and four-year colleges next year, a 10-percent increase over previous years”That is a huge accomplishment for a district of this demographic and this financial position we’re in,” said Langlois at Wednesday’s School Committee meeting. “I would put that rating up against any public school in the region and boast it. The community should be very proud of the 95.2 percent and hopefully we can sustain it.”But while the news is good for this year’s class, proposed budget cuts could see that number dip in 2012, as Langlois is set to present his three-tiered reduction proposal at next Wednesday’s School Committee meeting.The plan calls for a total of $1.2 million in reductions in three tiers, ranging from busing and crossing guards in Tier 1, to middle school and high school teachers in the Tier 3. Depending on how much money can be allocated to the School Committee during tonight’s Selectmen meeting, cuts will start from Tier 1 down.School Committee member Arthur Grabowski said Langlois has revitalized the school district since taking over in 2008, but that could change if the most severe cuts are realized.”MCAS scores as well as graduation rates are indicators that Saugus is getting better,” said Grabowski. “Now we throw this monkey wrench in. We’ve got to keep teachers in the classroom. We just have to work at it harder to make it work for the kids and for the residents of the town.”The amount of funds that can be obtained is still yet to be seen. Town Manager Andrew Bisignani will present his budget to the Board of Selectmen tonight and a final budget will be voted on at Town Meeting on June 27.”We’ve made plenty of arguments for increased funding,” said Grabowski. “But we have to be cognizant of the fact that this is a town-wide budget, everything is intertwined.”Despite the threat of cuts, Grabowski said he’s happy to see Saugus students excelling like they did this past school year.”It’s unfortunate that money seems to be the key to everything,” said Grabowski. “I gotta give credit to the kids, they’re reaching their potential.”