Timeline taking shape for new Saugus High

SAUGUS – Plans to build a new Saugus High School are advancing, after the Massachusetts School Building Authority invited the project into the eligibility phase Jan. 14.According to Board of Selectmen clerk and School Committee member Wendy Reed, Superintendent of Schools Michael Tempesta has completed the initial paperwork. The town and school district must form a building committee and request that the Board of Selectmen call a special town meeting asking residents to fund a feasibility study.At last week?s selectmen meeting, the board made a request to call a special town meeting with a pending agenda.?It will be the first or second week in March,” Reed said. “The board likes to see the articles in advance, so they requested the town manager to insert the articles by Feb. 10. The annual meeting is set by charter the first Monday in May, but the board can call a special town meeting as needed.”Individual articles will then be inserted into the warrant.Reed said the building committee would be formed within the next few months. “The town manager and superintendent will identify individuals as quickly as possible, ideally within 60 to 90 days,” she said.The board of selectmen released an announcement inviting people to apply to sit on the building committee, noting that individuals with expertise in architecture, engineering and construction are needed, as well as parents and other residents of the community.Those interested may submit a letter of interest/resume no later than Feb. 9 to the Saugus Board of Selectmen at Town Hall.Reed said the town manager makes the recommendations and the board of selectmen does the rest.?It?s an exciting time, and we hope for a successful completion,” selectmen chair Ellen Faiella said. “We?ll bring forth names at a future meeting.”According to School Committee member Arthur Grabowski, who served on the Belmonte Middle School renovation committee, attendance is key.?It?s a large committee with about 20 people, but we need those who are 100-percent committed,” Grabowski said. “We had people who served on the Belmonte one who showed up for two meetings and didn?t come again. It was frustrating, because they have to take votes and their input has to be consistent.”That group started with 22 members and finished with 19.Pending the feasibility study, a new Saugus High School would likely be the biggest school building project the town has ever seen.