Saugus school board upholds Santa tradition

SAUGUS – The Saugus School Committee voted unanimously Thursday night to uphold the 50-year-long tradition of Santa Claus visiting the town?s elementary schools.The motion sets up new guidelines for the visit, which includes having the Fire Department contact the superintendent one month before the visit, having the superintendent schedule visits with individual principals and having principals send a letter home to parents giving them the opportunity to opt out of the visit. Students who opt out will be given “appropriate activities.”?I want to commend the School Committee on this wonderful dialogue and consensus building,” said Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian. “This is wonderful ? this is truly democratic.”Superintendent Richard Langlois garnered national media attention in the week leading up to Christmas after he initially decided to end a nearly 50-year tradition of Saugus firefighters dressing as Santa Claus and handing out coloring books at the town?s elementary schools, a decision he reversed later in the day.Only around 10 people showed up for the meeting Thursday, and while Langlois was not present, Santa Claus himself was on hand and even left a stocking stuffed with charcoal briquettes on Langlois? desk.?I work here in the town and used to be a Town Meeting member, and I felt really bad,” he said after the meeting. “It feels like the kids are getting a raw deal ? so I figured I?d take a little time and come. I think (the School Committee) made the right decision. They did a good job. It?s good for the kids in town.”The original motion, which was presented by School Committee member Rick Doucette, was slightly different than the motion that eventually passed. That motion had an “opt in” provision and also established a subcommittee to set up the guidelines.?I thought we should establish a subcommittee to follow the process along for the first year to see how it goes and work with the Fire Department,” said Doucette. “I think opting in is a little more positive.”However, School Committee member Arthur Grabowski said he would not support that motion, saying there are enough subcommittees and that students should “opt out” instead.?We don?t need an opt in for 450 kids,” said Grabowski. “We need an opt out for five or 10 kids ? I would feel very bad for a kindergarten kid not to know why he?s being told he can?t stay with Santa Claus because his parents didn?t care enough or were just inattentive to send in the form to let their kid participate.”School Committee member Joe Malone said he agreed with Grabowski, noting that parents are busy and sometimes miss small details.?Some kids would miss out if we insist on an opt in,” said Malone.Donna Trumpler, president of the Waybright Elementary PTO, thanked Grabowski for keeping in touch with her over the issue, and noted she saw some “animosity” toward him from the other School Committee members.?He?s the only one that reached out to my PTO,” said Trumpler. “I just want to let you know that he?s speaking for the parents. The relationship you have between each other definitely comes off toward him as a little negative. We?ve seen it in the last three meetings in a row.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].