‘Quite a few’ applications in for Saugus superintendent

SAUGUS – Saugus School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed said she?s received “quite a few” applications for superintendent as the committee looks to put together a group of residents to help in the search.?I haven?t counted them, but there?s quite a few,” said Reed. “On the 28th we?ll have some business to do.”Reed said the committee will do a “pre-qualification screening” in closed session on March 28 to make sure applicants fit the criteria listed in the job posting. From there Reed said the committee will look to schedule interviews.Reed also noted the committee will accept applications throughout the process and said while she?s aiming for a July 1 start date, an interim could be appointed if a new superintendent isn?t picked by then.?Typically it would be the second in command like the pupil personnel director or the business manager,” said Reed. “That?s up to the committee and who would be up to do it, and if we even need it. I think when we get closer to the deadline we?ll start discussing that.”Superintendent Richard Langlois was named superintendent of the Marlborough School District in January after five years in Saugus. Langlois submitted a letter of resignation to the School Committee last month and will start in Marlborough July 1.The Marlborough School Committee recently approved a three-year contract starting at $185,000 for Langlois, according to the MetroWest Daily News.Langlois? current contract with Saugus, which was renewed for four years in September of 2011, pays him $153,000.As the applicants come in, Reed said the committee is still looking for members of the public to serve on the Superintendent Search Committee.Reed said any Saugus resident or town employee can serve on the search committee.?It is important for the community to be involved in such an important task of finding the best person to lead the Saugus Public Schools and continue to build upon our successes,” said Reed.Reed said she has received 11 letters of interest so far to serve on the committee.?I haven?t opened them yet and I don?t know who they?re from,” she said. “We?re going to meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday to open them up, put them into categories, and make sure we have coverage from all angles and a nice balanced committee.”Reed said it will then be up to the School Committee to decide how many to appoint. She said there were 12 people on the last search committee that hired Langlois.Letters of interest are being accepted by the committee until March 13 and can be sent to Wendy Reed, Chairman, Saugus School Administration Building, 23 Main St., Saugus MA 01906.In addition to letters of interest, the School Committee is also accepting comments from the public during the public comment portion of its regular meetings on March 14 and March 28 for anyone who would like to provide input on the qualities and characteristics of a new superintendent.Comments may also be submitted in writing to Reed at the administration building or at [email protected] Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].