Public Calls For Saugus School Chair To Resign
The Saugus School Committee meeting turned into a public reckoning over a $1.5 million budget gap and calls for the chair's resignation.
School Committee · Meeting of March 26, 2026
SAUGUS — The Saugus School Committee meeting turned into a public reckoning over a $1.5 million budget gap and calls for the chair's resignation. Town meeting member Elizabeth Marchese told Chairman Fontenot his dual role as an elected official and town employee created "a direct conflict between professional obligation and elected duty" and asked him to step down. Teacher and Precinct 10 town meeting member Jenna Nuzzo said the district's approved level-service budget is about $37.3 million, roughly $1.5 million above the town manager's recommendation.
Fontenot countered that "it's the school department that shoots themselves in the foot," blaming overspending rather than the town. The board unanimously approved an $808,195.51 bills warrant, Dow Street parking changes near Belmonte STEAM Academy, and four Saugus Cultural Council grants to the BSA totaling $2,745.
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Source: the School Committee meeting of March 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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