Saugus Santa issue stays hot

SAUGUS – Saugus resident Christopher Peatridge reminded Saugus School Committee members that they were elected by the people, and had some harsh words for Superintendent Richard Langlois Thursday night, in a heated Policy Subcommittee meeting on the district?s Santa Claus policy.?That gentleman that sits over there (Langlois) is appointed,” said Peatridge. “He could do what he wants, he could be elitist, he could be arrogant, he could be smug, and certainly he exhibits that on more than one occasion. I certainly hope that you pay attention to what the people, and the people that aren?t here, probably would have voiced, that this whole thing has turned into a major league joke because of one person?s opinion ? It?s a shame, it?s a laughingstock and it?s sad.”Peatridge also said the School Committee should stop “sticking up for the one or two people that will discombobulate and screw the pooch for everyone else.”Saugus High School Principal Joe Diorio, who sits on the Policy Subcommittee, took exception to Peatridge?s comments.?Your comments about kowtowing to the one or two ? you have to take all the kids into consideration,” said Diorio. “I understand your points ? but the kids in our schools do take exception. They feel like they?re being pushed aside. We?re trying to build cohesion. Trying to divide these kids ? you?re creating a division in the schools.”Just seven people were at the meeting Thursday, and School Committee member Rick Doucette started off by deflecting criticism about delaying a decision.?(Our policy) clearly indicates that all policy changes must go to the Policy Subcommittee ?” said Doucette. “This process is not a delay tactic. It is the policy of the Saugus Public School Committee.”Donna Trumpler, President of the Waybright Parent Teacher Organization, said Santa is a secular figure and noted all religions should be included in school.?I would love to see Santa as a secular figure and incorporate, as they do now, the dreidel, the Kwanzaa mat, but keep it all secular so nobody feels like they?re getting stepped on if Santa Claus comes to the school,” said Trumpler. “There has to be a way to incorporate him to keep the tradition going.”Doucette and School Committee member Arthur Grabowski got into a tense exchange about the committee?s previous meeting on the issue, with Grabowski saying a substitute motion he made was to declare Santa as a secular figure, and not a policy change.?I just tried to have Santa be classified as a secular figure which would then negate the policy of separation for church and state,” said Grabowski.But Doucette insisted that would still have been a policy change, noting the School Committee couldn?t have made a decision on the fly.The subcommittee did not make a recommendation Thursday. The full School Committee will take up the issue on Feb. 2.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].