Saugus school plan leaves time to spare

SAUGUS – All the potential town managers referenced their excitement in building a new Saugus High School during their interviews this week. Others seem to have the same mindset.Both Acting Town Manager Robert Palleschi and Superintendent of Schools Michael Tempesta gave an update regarding the timeline of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which is the funding source behind the massive project, Friday.Palleschi said Saugus is ahead of schedule in delivering its initial compliance certification. With a due date of Feb. 27, the town submitted its report Feb. 4.Pertaining to adhering to MSBA guidelines, the school building committee must be formed by March 30. Next comes the educational profile questionnaire and online enrollment projection, due April 28. Palleschi said for the most part, they are filled out.Enrollment/certification and maintenance and capital planning information must be executed by Monday, July 27.Local vote authorization and feasibility study agreement must be completed within 270 days, by Monday, Oct. 26, the same day the eligibility period concludes (it began Jan. 28).According to a Saugus Board action letter, completing these preliminary requirements within the time frames noted are set in stone. If Saugus is unable to meet those deadlines, they must withdraw their Statement of Interest and reapply when the district has the required financial and community support.But Palleschi has good news, especially since the initial compliance certification was turned in early. Saugus is 80 percent finished in putting together membership for the building committee.?We?ve gotten verbal approval, but we still have questions regarding meeting times and the location,” Palleschi said. “We talked about the makeup of the board briefly.”Palleschi said the town is planning to beat all the timelines listed above.The board will include town employees and possibly citizens, especially those with an engineering or architectural background, including, but not limited to: a finance committee member, procurement member, school committee and town accountant.Tempesta said it is still open to debate whether citizens will be included on the building committee.?Some think it should be a smaller group,” Tempesta said. “Our rationale is that it?s a time commitment, and people chosen need to step up.”Tempesta said last week that he had only talked to one comparable school – Holbrook – to see where it stood in the process. As of Friday, he had caught up with five.?I?m still waiting to hear back from two to three,” Tempesta said. “I?m looking at how they package their information. They?re great models, because they?re parallel to what?s going on in Saugus.”Tempesta said talking to superintendents who have or are going through the process is celebratory.Palleschi has a similar feeling.?We?re so excited about where we are,” Palleschi said. “We?re trying to be as proactive as we possibly can.”The last time Saugus had a new school was when Veterans Memorial School at 39 Hurd Ave. was torn down and rebuilt decades ago.The current Saugus High School campus opened in September 1955. The old school was on the corner of Winter and Central streets, expanding several times to meet the growing student body.