More Saugus teachers expected to make the cut

SAUGUS – Saugus School Committee members may not have to cut as many teachers as they originally thought.The School Committee will vote on the numbers Thursday with recommendations from Superintendent Michael Tempesta, said board member Arthur Grabowski.Grabowski said the School Committee will retain all the teachers it can. He said originally 12 to 15 teachers were scheduled to be let go, but the number is now reduced to four to five.Saugus High School students expressed their concern at an April 9 standing-room-only meeting, where many of them became emotional while speaking at the podium, adding they didn?t want to see their role models go.?Hopefully, we can get that number down to zero Thursday,” Grabowski said. “We don?t want to see any teachers go. We?re trying to keep them in the classroom teaching. So, we cut out supplies and dues for memberships for various organizations.”Grabowski explained there is no wiggle-room, or extra money in the School Committee?s operating budget. He said it won?t be an easy year financially.?We had a bad winter and the schools? utility bills are high, adding to costs,” Grabowski said.As for the possibility of athletic user fees increasing for the upcoming academic year, Grabowski said they will also do math to calculate that next week.?We don?t know for sure, so I don?t want to give anyone the false impression that it?ll go up or down,” he said.Athletic fees may hike up to around $700 for this academic year. Hockey and football athletic fees were approximately $400 (per sport per student), while other sports were slightly lower at around $350 for academic year 2014-2015, Grabowski added.Parent Anthony Cogliano, a 1984 graduate who played football, hockey and baseball, said even if the user fee remains the same rate as this past year, it is still unacceptable in his opinion.?We will find creative ways to eliminate the fees,” Cogliano said.Grabowski said some parents want to form a group to solicit funds, while others want to be rid of the user fees completely.Cogliano had three daughters who were three-sport athletes at Saugus High School: Cassandra, who graduated in 2011 (varsity basketball, soccer and cheerleading); Gabriela, who graduated in 2013 (varsity basketball, soccer and softball) and Sophie, who graduated this spring (varsity field hockey and golf).His son, Anthony, will enter high school this year and plans to play hockey, baseball and golf.Thursday?s meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the School Administration Building at 23 Main St. on the second floor.