SAUGUS — Two School Committee members will not seek re-election.
Liz Marchese and Lisa Morgante told The Item Wednesday they would not run for another term on the board.
“I hope whoever gets into office is able to work together as a committee,” said Morgante. “They don’t necessarily have to agree on everything, just respect one another’s opinions and give anyone the opportunity to be heard.”
Marchese echoed the sentiment, adding that the district needs and deserves a committee that can work together.
While no incumbent School Committee members have pulled papers to run, the other three members — Jeannie Meredith, Linda Gaieski, and Marc Magliozzi — say they plan to. They have until Sept. 13 to obtain papers and until Sept. 17 to return them with at least 50 signatures.
A divide between members became clear after the panel voted to lay off the School Department’s custodians and hire a private cleaning company. The board voted 3-2 on the issue in June with Morgante and Marchese opposed.
Superintendent David DeRuosi estimated that the unpopular decision could provide “potential overall cost savings” of $1.1 million annually that could be used for educational programs.
Gaieski said the decision was difficult but necessary given the district performs worse than 92 percent of other schools in the state.
“We were in dire circumstances and it required a dire remedy,” she said.
Her initial trepidation to run for re-election stemmed from harassment she endured since the decision was made. Feces and a decapitated animal were left at her front door on separate occasions.
“I’m not going to be intimidated or bullied into not running,” she said. “I have advocated for the education of children for 49 years and I’m not stopping now.”
Serving on the School Committee is a lot of work and decisions are not always well received, said Meredith, who intends to pull papers.
“I have worked very hard and diligently to see this new school come to fruition for the children of Saugus, and I want to see that new school open and see the new educational initiatives that we have brought to the forefront implemented,” said Meredith.
So far, eight challengers are also vying for a seat on the board.
Among them is former committeeman Arthur Grabowski. Michael Coller, William Moore, Thomas Whittredge, Darren Ring, Ryan Fisher, Joseph Dennis Gould and John Chipouras also intend to run.
