Saugus super explains extra cash a one-time event

SAUGUS – Saugus Superintendent Richard Langlois clarified some misconceptions about money recently saved as a result of lower-than-expected utility costs and a spending freeze.Speaking to the School Committee Thursday night, Langlois stressed that the additional money from the savings, totaling about $300,000, is not something the schools just “found” and isn?t likely to happen in the future.?No one should have the expectation that that is going to be the case next year,” said Langlois.Langlois also pointed out that the $460,000 in Medicaid reimbursements goes straight to the town and not the schools.?That money is not in our hands, never was and never has been,” said Langlois. “The money we generate is through our labor and goes directly to the town.”Cynthia Joyce, Pupil Personnel Director, said the reimbursements were “aggressively sought” after years of under-billing.?We?re paying those vendors, staff people and teachers. They?re billable services and the federal government reimburses us for those,” said Joyce. “There was no municipal agreement established prior. It didn?t take long to realize that we were under-billing. We revamped the whole project and looked for new approvals.”School Committee member Joe Malone thanked Joyce for her hard work in straightening out the reimbursements.?Without her where would we be?” asked Malone.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].