ITEM FILE PHOTO
The Saugus School Committee voted 3-1 to appoint Saugus High School Principal Michael Hashem as interim superintendent at a special meeting Wednesday night.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — The school committee voted 3-1 to appoint Saugus High School Principal Michael Hashem as interim superintendent at a special meeting Wednesday night.
“I’m grateful that we had the two internal applicants stand up for this,” said committee member Peter Manoogian. “I’m offering Michael Hashem’s name because of his involvement with the MSBA process right from the beginning.
“It’s probably the most important issue with the town,” he said.
“I’m also very much aware of his extreme skills with mathematics,” Manoogian said. “We all know he was a high level math teacher. With issues going forward with the budget, I think he would be helpful.
“I find him to be highly credible,” he said.
Committee member Linda Gaieski agreed that Hashem is the right person for the job.
“I also support Michael Hashem,” Gaieski said.
Gaieski said she feels comfortable that prospective candidates won’t get the idea that the position is already filled.
She is also impressed by his “MSBA experience and attendance at all meetings,” “his longevity with the system” and his “community investment.”
“He lives in the town, has a family in the town and has a fresh viewpoint on the job,” she said. “He (has a) vast amount of experience analyzing data. I think that could also be helpful to the system.”
Former interim superintendent Matthew Malone announced his resignation at the beginning of the month.
Malone was chosen as interim superintendent in October 2015, following the resignation of former superintendent Michael Tempesta.
Malone is also the ex-superintendent of Swampscott and Brockton Public Schools.
The committee decided at a special meeting last week to only accept applications for the position from members of the school district. The chosen candidate for the acting superintendent position will not be eligible for the permanent superintendent position.
Pola Andrews, executive director of finance and administration, acted as the point person for superintendent decisions until an acting superintendent was chosen Wednesday night.
Candidates were narrowed down to Hashem and Lori Gallivan, executive director of curriculum, instruction and accountability for the superintendent’s office.
Grabowski, who voted against appointing Hashem, first made a motion to appoint Gallivan as the interim superintendent.
“The fact is that a high school principal does not have the skillset to walk into a superintendent position,” Grabowski said. “I’m not doubting Mr. Hashem’s heart in the situation, but Ms. Gallivan has been the executive director (of curriculum, instruction and accountability).
“She has been instrumental in writing the 2020 vision plan,” he said. Grabowski also cited Gallivan’s experience with “adjustments and reasoning behind the budgets.”
“She has been attending and participating in the North Shore Superintendents’ Roundtable,” he said. “She has much knowledge and many contacts, if she has any questions.”
“We just came from a disastrous situation,” he said. “We need someone that’s closer to the experience of being a superintendent.”
“(Hashem) works with staff and students on a daily basis,” Manoogian said. “When you’re in (the) central office, you just don’t have that type of opportunity to have that engagement. (That’s what I) believe the district needs at this time.”
Hashem will serve as the superintendent until June 30. The committee will continue to work towards choosing an individual to permanently fill the position.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
