Saugus picks new school superintendent

SAUGUS – The Saugus School Committee voted 4-1 to appoint Milford High School Principal Michael Tempesta as the district’s new superintendent Thursday.The Committee held final public interviews for the position Thursday as Tempesta and Ann Bradshaw, the current superintendent in Mashpee, made their final pitches for the job.After more than three hours of interviews, School Committee member Joe Malone made a motion to appoint Tempesta, however, School Committee member Arthur Grabowski made a substitute motion for Bradshaw.Grabowski cited letters of recommendation for Bradshaw commending her handling of financial issues in Mashpee, which he said “mirror” the situation in Saugus. However, School Committee member Frederick Doucette said Tempesta also had “very strong” letters of recommendation.School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed and Vice Chairman Corinne Riley both said they had “reservations” with the candidates.”Tempesta has district-wide experience and references ? he seems very passionate about making a difference, I just don’t believe Ms. Bradshaw has that passion,” said Reed. “Having the right personality to deal with the town, and us individually, that’s very important.”Reed said she preferred Tempesta, but would rather appoint an interim superintendent for the time being.”It’s not a lack of experience I’m concerned with, it’s getting the right fit here in Saugus,” said Reed.The committee voted 3-1 against Bradshaw, with Grabowski voting in favor and Reed voting “present” because she didn’t want to vote against either candidate.In the end, Doucette, Malone, Riley and Reed voted in favor of Tempesta with Grabowski voting against. Tempesta will start pending successful contract negotiations and a background check.Tempesta was first to be interviewed and said he keeps an open-door policy, and would look to get out in the community in order to meet residents and business leaders.Tempesta, who has served as principal in Milford for three years, said he has a strong personality and a passion for education, noting he’s very familiar with fighting for the school.”I’ve been to Town Meetings ? we have had drag out, dog fights over all kinds of money issues and program issues ?.” said Tempesta, who was principal at Ashland High School prior to Milford. “They have never passed an override in Ashland ? I definitely understand what it takes to advocate.”Bradshaw, who was 10 minutes late to her interview, has been the superintendent in Mashpee for eight years and was Assistant Superintendent in Falmouth before that. She said people are always welcome to talk to her and noted she’s always out in the community and regularly updates the School Committee.Bradshaw said her leadership style is to bring people together around a common vision, and noted she sets high goals and works to develop a plan to get there.Tempesta said his strengths as an administrator include “listening to people, being open and working together,” while Bradshaw said she has a collaborative management style and enjoys working with other people on projects.”I try to have a good understanding of all the operations in the district without micromanaging,” she said.Tempesta said he thinks he has a “strong vision for the community” and a good understanding of Saugus.”What I really connected with ? was on the tours, the passion and energy of the teachers to improve the students was overwhelming,” he said. “It’s something I would love to be a part of.”Tempesta noted his experiences are a perfect match for Saugus, and said he’s helped create special and alternative education programs both at Ashland and at Milford, while Bradshaw said she has direct experience working with special education, and takes the approach that “special ed and general ed really work together.”When it comes to the budget, Bradshaw said she has eight years of experience building a budget where she provided “most of the leadership” and worked with the Finance Committee to build “an understanding that the sc