What does School Committee say about DeRuosi's legacy as school superintendent?
School Committee member John Hatch marveled at what Superintendent of Schools Dr. David DeRuosi Jr. helped accomplish during his five years on the job, calling the progress a credit to the outgoing superintendent and his central office team. At DeRuosis final meeting as superintendent, Hatch praised the superintendent for his leadership in a district that now boasts new or refurbished schools and equipment throughout the school system. I think the best legacy Dr. DeRuosi will leave us with is the fact he has such faith in us as a community that his grandchildren will be attending our schools, Hatch said. Last December, DeRuosi announced he was retiring at the end of the 2020-2021 school year following a more than three-decade career as a public educator. Since that time, DeRuosi was hired as the interim school superintendent in Raymond, N.H.  a term that begins July 1. The School Committee voted to hire Erin McMahon as the next superintendent of schools in Saugus. School Committee Chairman Tom Whittredge said the position of school superintendent can be pretty thankless, as its impossible to please everybody. Whittredge noted there were times DeRuosi had to make some tough decisions that werent well received. If you look at DeRuosis body of work as superintendent, Whittredge said he deserves credit for transitioning the district to a three-school system filled with new facilities and equipment, and finding a way to implement free all-day kindergarten starting this fall. We have everything that every other district in the world wants, Whittredge said. DeRuosi played a huge role in helping to bring about these positive changes for the school system, Whittredge asserted. This is the end result and I think people will realize over the next couple of years all the work you put in, Whittredge told DeRuosi. You set the groundwork for moving us forward and I really appreciate that.  When considering someones legacy, School Committee member Ryan Fisher said you need to look at the persons best days and worst days. These last few weeks of DeRuosis tenure as superintendent have been some of the best days, Fisher said, citing the passage of a fiscal 2022 budget backed by DeRuosi that includes funding to implement free all-day kindergarten and curriculum directors and the purchase of new technology and equipment for students. Fisher stressed that these gains wouldnt have been possible if not for the hard work of DeRuosi, Executive Director of Finance and Operations Pola Andrews and central office staff. In addition, Fisher commended DeRuosi for his dedication right up until the last day to help ease the transition for McMahon to take over as superintendent. Saugus Educators Association President Rick Lavoie thanked DeRuosi for the time and effort he put in. While the teachers union and superintendent dont always see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, the thing we had in common was we kept the kids first and we have moved this district forward, Lavoie said. Not all roses  While Whittredge, Hatch and Fisher all sung DeRuosis praises, School Committee member Arthur Grabowski and the superintendent engaged in one last verbal joust after Grabowski suggested the next superintendent could help bring about a culture change for the Saugus Public Schools to become a highly performing district. DeRuosi responded that a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education report reported stated the time has come for the School Committee to work collaboratively with the central office. Im not going to sit here and listen to the excoriation of School Committee members from an outgoing superintendent, Grabowski said. DeRuosi said he was trying to make the point the opportunity exists for the School Committee and central office to focus on student achievement. The time was five years ago, Grabowski interjected, and School Committee member Dennis Gould also told DeRuosi its time for you to leave.  Grabowski has long taken issue with the previous School Committees vote two years ago to privatize custodial services in the Saugus Public Schools, a decision that cost 21 custodians their jobs, but freed up money that was reinvested into direct services for students. Im leaving you guys in a great position  DeRuosi said he believes the Saugus school district is in a good place. Ive had a good five years, the body of work is probably my best . . . I think Im leaving you guys in a great position, DeRuosi said. DeRuosi thanked administrators across the district who stepped up in recent years to provide leadership. Throughout the pandemic, DeRuosi said he told the central office and principals there will be a day when there are no more excuses. That day is now here, he added. Whats crucial, DeRuosi said, is that the School Committee and superintendent work together to move the school district forward. Youre ready, it will just be that idea of collaboration, DeRuosi said. Stop looking at the negatives, block out the noise and do what you need to do.  DeRuosi, a former Saugus resident, still has family that lives in town. Two grandchildren will soon be entering the school system. I dont think a grandfather could give a better gift than what theyre walking into right now, DeRuosi said.