SAUGUS — The School Committee has reached a “tentative” contract agreement with the district’s incoming superintendent of schools, Vice Chair Ryan Fisher said.
According to Fisher, the committee and the district’s lawyers have completed a drafted agreement in collaboration with Erin McMahon, who was selected last month to replace Saugus’ current superintendent, Dr. David DeRuosi, when DeRuosi retires June 30.
A vote to finalize McMahon’s contract will likely take place Thursday.
“The lawyers are ironing out the language to make sure it works for everybody,” Fisher said. “Once (it’s voted on), it will be signed by both parties and we’ll officially have our next superintendent.”
In the meantime, Fisher and fellow committee member Dennis Gould said McMahon, who currently serves as senior advisor to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education commissioner, has spent time familiarizing herself with the district in preparation for her new role.
“I know she was in the district today meeting with people and Dr. DeRuosi. He’s doing a great job making sure there’s a very strong transition,” Fisher said. “No one wants for (McMahon) to be blindsided on June 30 by something or not be prepared for something.”
Gould added: “They’ve already started the transition discussions, and she’ll be spending more time with the administration to ensure a smooth transition.”
McMahon will be the district’s sixth superintendent since 2012. Upon her entry to Saugus schools, she will face a number of district-wide issues, many of which have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and a year of remote learning for Saugus students.
In particular, McMahon is tasked with addressing Saugus’ low Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores, which were highlighted in the district’s 2019 District Review Report, as well as overseeing the tail end of the town’s school building reconfiguration efforts.
Next week, Gould said the School Committee plans to hold a public session that will provide the town’s Board of Selectmen and other officials with an opportunity to meet McMahon.
“She’s a very dynamic person, so we’re enthusiastic to get her on and move the district forward,” Gould said.
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
