SAUGUS – Vandalism was the topic of discussion earlier this week during a meeting of the Saugus School Committee.
“We had one incident of vandalism recently in one of our bathrooms,” said Superintendent Erin McMahon.
According to Vincent Serino, committee vice chairman, the situation is under control, and the necessary steps have been taken to avoid such situations in the future.
“We do know what is going on, we do have it under control, and we are taking the necessary steps to get it corrected and avoided in the future,” said Serino.
Committee members warned against overestimating what happened.
“A few kids maybe had a few things going on,” said committee chair Tommy Whittredge.
Joseph “Dennis” Gould said that the committee needed to make sure that what was broken could “get fixed and get taken care of, and that it doesn’t happen again.”
“I don’t think there is an issue; (something) got broken in the bathroom, and I don’t even know for sure if it was the bathroom, and it needs to get fixed, and the kid needs to get disciplined,” said Gould.
According to McMahon, the administration was working to make sure the area, especially the hallways and the bathrooms, felt safe — although “there is always a balance between giving kids autonomy to move, as well as monitoring areas.
“We are working very hard right now on targeting ways so that we could both monitor, but also give them autonomy,” she said.
McMahon said the aim was to raise the young adults and to teach them to be observant and considerate of their safety.
“If you see something, say something,” said Serino.
McMahon also addressed the cleaning situation for the Middle/High School.
“And our students are doing a great job and being responsible about throwing away trash, but you will still see masks and end up in the grasses,” said McMahon.
Oksana Kotkina can be reached at [email protected]
