Saugus MCAS performance lauded

SAUGUS – Speaking to the Saugus School Committee Thursday night, Superintendent Richard Langlois commended the district?s performance in the 2011 MCAS.With the state average at 69 proficient and advanced in English, Saugus was able to boost its English score 18 points over the last two years to come in at 65 while scoring a 54 in math, which is four below the state average of 58 proficient and advanced.?We?re moving forward,” said Langlois. “We?re sustaining our effort ? We have momentum and other districts are trying to regroup.”Langlois pointed to grades three, five and six as all showing improvement from last year and said the high school improved by nine points in English from 2010.?Nine points is huge,” said Langlois. “Most districts are only leaping two or three.”Langlois will give a full presentation of the MCAS results at the next School Committee meeting on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.The School Committee also voted unanimously to extend Finance Director Sam Rippin?s contract for another three years until 2015.?I?m pretty pleased we get to vote on this one,” said School Committee Chair Wendy Reed. “I?ve said it many times, I?m proud of the team we have sitting at that table.”Rippin, who took over as Director of Finance in 2009, said he?s looking forward to another three years.?I?ve certainly enjoyed being here and I look forward to the future,” said Rippin.In other business, the School Committee accepted a gift of $5,084 from Greg Nickolas and Julie Mitchell of the Youth and Recreation Commission, money that was raised in the fun area during Founder?s Day.The money will go to the athletic department, with 10 percent going toward athletic scholarships.?The coaches and the parents really participated and it was a great community experience,” said Nickolas. “Everyone got involved and it was a fun day for all and raising the extra money was a benefit.”Athletic Director Mike Nelson said he?s hoping to find a local business to match that 10 percent.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter at @MattTempesta.