Town Meeting members expand efforts in push for new high school

SAUGUS – Two Town Meeting members are taking to Facebook to educate fellow voters on the effort for a new high school.As a parent of four young children, Precinct 6 representative Sean Maltais said it was difficult to make any of the 7 p.m. meetings that the town held to create the statement of interest for the Massachusetts School Building Authority. After hearing the same complaint from fellow elementary school parents who are hoping to send their children to the new school someday, Maltais created “Saugus Needs a New High School,” a Facebook page dedicated to informing voters about the project.?I figured this could help out a little and answer some questions,” Malais said of the page. “It?s just another avenue to let people know what?s going on.”The page features information about the MSBA process and updates on the effort for a new high school, including a note from Superintendent Michael Tempesta on April 10 announcing that the final statement of interest was “signed, sealed and delivered” to the MSBA.Created Tuesday, the page had over 200 “likes” within the first 24 hours. On Thursday it was up to 381 likes. More than followers, Maltais said he was happy to see that photos that were uploaded to the page of model MSBA buildings have been viewed more than 200 times.Maltais said if the MSBA approves Saugus for a new high school, “eventually we?ll need a vote to increase property taxes.” But with the Facebook page, Malais intends to keep voters aware of the big picture, that in the long run it will improve property values.?If you put your home on the market in other communities, they tout the school system, but not one (person selling) in Saugus will say that,” said Maltais.Maltais said it?s not just about attracting families, it?s about retaining Saugus residents. “I hear of elderly people that have to go to Rowley to visit their grandchildren because their children didn?t stay here because of the conditions of the school,” he said. “I know someone right now who is closing on their house and moving to Lynnfield because of the schools.”Precinct 10 representative Peter Manoogian, who also participated on the town?s joint committee to write the statement of interest, is the other administrator of the Facebook page. Manoogian said in researching other communities who were successful in partnering with the MSBA, like Franklin, it seemed that voters were more likely to approve a school when they were informed starting with the application process, not a few months before they saw a ballot.?Saugus taxpayers are no less concerned about taxes than any other community,” said Manoogian. “It ultimately comes down to people having the information.”Manoogian said once people realize what it costs to maintain the “behemoth” that is the current high school building, they would warm up to a green, energy-efficient, code-compliant new building.?People are reliable and rational about a subject when they have information,” he said.Maltais said in the first few days, the page has gotten positive feedback. “Someone from Florida who graduated from Saugus in the 1960s sent us a private message wishing us luck,” he said. “It was really nice.”