Langlois’ bid irks Saugus school official

SAUGUS – School Committee member Arthur Grabowski isn?t happy that Superintendent Richard Langlois was named a finalist for the same position in Marlborough.?Here we go again,” said Grabowski on Monday. “The revolving door and the musical chairs play on again.”The Marlborough School Committee announced that Langlois, along with Washington state resident Tony Apostle and Christopher A. Bogden of Rochester, N.Y., were named finalists for the position Thursday night.Langlois will visit the school on Friday and a decision will be made on Saturday.Grabowski lamented the fact that the School Committee signed Langlois to a four-year extension in 2011 “with the understanding that he wanted to retire from Saugus.”?We normally give a three-year contract renewal ?” said Grabowski. “So as a courtesy to him, we extended his contract for four years with the understanding it would benefit him and that his work in Saugus has brought the district up ? Within a year of the contract renewal, he applied for a job in Pentucket. Now within a year of that he is applying for a job in Marlborough.”In December of 2011, Langlois was named a finalist for the Pentucket Regional School District, but the job went to Jeffrey J. Mulqueen.Grabowski said he has “grave concerns” that “people do not care to honor a contract” bargained “in good faith.”?It?s not fair to the community and the school district to invest time and effort in an individual, vet that individual, determine they?re the best fit ? and then have that individual in a short period of time decide they don?t want to be here,” said Grabowski. “It?s obvious he doesn?t want to be here.”Grabowski also questioned Langlois? “commitment to the town of Saugus.”?We, as School Committee members, as residents, as parents, have a commitment to people we hire and I would expect that to be reciprocating,” he said. “I?m not saying he?s not doing a good job, I just have to question the commitment. Twice in two years you?re looking for a new job. We put the full faith and standing of the people of Saugus in that contract, but it appears that people, from their point of view, they can just break their contract whenever the need fits them.”School Committee Vice Chairman Corinne Riley said she understands Langlois has to “look out for his future,” noting Marlborough could be a good opportunity “especially with him facing retirement at some point.”Riley also said it would be “a loss” for Saugus if Langlois was selected.?He?s really fought for this district and has gotten the schools in a much better position now than when my older children were in school, compared to my daughter who is presently in school,” said Riley. “It?s going to be interesting to see what happens. I wish him well and we?ll just take it from when we hear one way or the other.”School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed said he had “mixed feelings” about the news.?It?s not unusual that superintendents stay a while and move on,” she said. “I thought he would pretty much finish out his retirement here, so I?m not exactly sure what the motivation is to move on.”Reed said School Committee members found out Friday morning in an email from Langlois and, depending on if he?s selected, she said a search committee will have to be put together.?I?ve been through this before,” said Reed. “If he?s chosen and depending on when he?s leaving ? We would have to find someone to serve as interim superintendent and then advertise. That usually takes a couple of months. You put a search committee together which is comprised of stakeholders like teachers, parents and administrators.”Reed said it took “four or five months” to complete the search last time and noted that there was a “nice representation” on the search committee.If Langlois is selected, Grabowski said the committee should just avoid signed contracts all together so both parties can decide when it?s time to move on.?Maybe we should hire people as employees at will so if they want to leave they certainly have that