SAUGUS — Deputy Superintendent Margo Ferrick is set to depart the district to become the superintendent of schools in Georgetown in July.
Ferrick confirmed the news in an email Friday morning, writing that she was appointed to the position in Georgetown Thursday evening and would start “towards the end of the academic school year.” In a Facebook post, Georgetown Public Schools said Ferrick’s “background, experience and leadership style made her the unanimous choice of the committee.”
Ferrick was one of four finalists for the positions and is set to take over the top post in Georgetown on July 1, according to the Facebook post. She joined Saugus in May 2022 after serving as director of student support programs and practice at the Boston College Center for Optimized Student Support.
“Going to Georgetown as the superintendent is an exciting opportunity and fits nicely with my professional goals,” Ferrick said. “My colleagues in Saugus are wonderful and very supportive.”
School Committee Chair Vincent Serino said he was happy for Ferrick.
Ferrick’s departure comes amid a period of turmoil in the town’s school district.
Superintendent Erin McMahon has been on paid administrative leave since mid-January amid an investigation into potential allegations of unspecified misconduct. Serino said McMahon’s leave should not be considered disciplinary.
In a statement earlier this month Michael Long, an attorney representing McMahon, said his client has yet to be provided with specific allegations of wrongdoing.
Former Saugus High School Principal Michael Hashem has been serving as acting superintendent in her stead since being appointed on Feb. 2.
McMahon’s leave was announced one week after she submitted a $32.8 million fiscal year 2024 budget to the School Committee. In the weeks following, committee members voted down that budget by a 4-1 margin and slashed the document down to what they said were only the bare minimum needs necessary to begin the school year.
But, Town Manager Scott Crabtree recommended allocating even less money to the schools than the committee asked for, and Finance Committee Chairman Kenneth DePatto indicated the district is unlikely to receive its full budget request.
