Saugus school board members have high hopes for new super

SAUGUS – School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed said she’s confident newly appointed Superintendent Michael Tempesta can do the job and will “put his all into it as a first-time superintendent.””Being a principal of a high school is pretty similar in that you have to deal with the public and are more visible than any other principal in the system,” said Reed. “He has strengths in curriculum and budgeting. I called him last night and he’s very excited. I’m excited about it and I think he will do a fine job.”The committee voted 4-1 Thursday to appoint Tempesta, the principal at Milford High School, over Mashpee Superintendent Ann Bradshaw.After motions were made to appoint both candidates, Reed brought up the possibility of appointing an interim superintendent if the committee wasn’t comfortable taking a vote.”We didn’t talk about consensus in executive session, we discussed references only,” said Reed. “I didn’t know if the committee was ready or felt comfortable enough, so I wanted to make sure that was an option ? But it was obvious once we started talking that the majority of the committee was comfortable.”Reed said she had “reservations” about both candidates, citing Tempesta’s lack of experience and saying some of Bradshaw’s answers during the interview process were “concerning.””Mostly, I didn’t see the enthusiasm that I saw in the younger candidate,” said Reed. “I don’t want to be negative because she’s certainly a great candidate and experienced, but I did state, and I’ll state again, the fight is gone and we need someone that will advocate.”While School Committee member Arthur Grabowski was the only one to vote for Bradshaw, he said he called Tempesta Friday morning to congratulate him and told him “he would be a fine addition to the schools.””I voted for Bradshaw. Certainly I would be disappointed that the person I voted for didn’t get in, but he’s certainly a capable individual, and his credentials and his passion and interest in Saugus lead me to believe that he’ll be a good superintendent,” said Grabowski.Grabowski said he liked some of Tempesta’s ideas about budgeting, include building a “zero-based” budget for the schools.”Zero-based budgeting is where you blow up your budget every year and start from zero, rather than keep filling it in year after year,” said Grabowski. “By blowing it up you have to justify all your programs by making them brand new. I like that critical thought process.”Vice Chairman Corinne Riley said she was happy with the results despite having concerns about Tempesta’s lack of “central office” experience.”I feel that he has a strong desire to move forward in his career,” said Riley. “If no one gave someone a chance because of their experience, then no one would be hired in any position. I think he’s a great fit here.”Riley said the committee made the right decision and cited evaluations filled out during his visit on Monday as playing a role in her decision.”I read the responses from all the schools, teachers, admin, students, and it was just really great responses and comments with Michael Tempesta,” said Riley. “They’re the ones that are more directly affected so it was nice to hear and see what they thought of both those candidates.”Tempesta could not be reached Friday.Michael Tempesta is no relation to Daily Item reporter Matt Tempesta.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].