Saugus School Committee accepts $10,000 scholarship gift
Saugus teachers and a union leader warned the School Committee that overcrowded classrooms and unfilled leadership posts are hurting students.
School Committee · Meeting of April 9, 2026
Saugus teachers and a union leader warned the School Committee that overcrowded classrooms and unfilled leadership posts are hurting students. Belmonte STEAM Academy teacher Jennifer Maldonado said class sizes have grown to between 26 and 29 students, well above the district's 20-student target, after last year's cuts eliminated a teacher at every grade from second through fifth. School Committee member Dennis Gould said the district needs about $1.5 million more from the town "so we don't go backwards even further." The committee voted 4-0 to approve $777,191.16 in bills and unanimously accepted a $10,000 gift from Carolyn Hashem establishing the Thomas C.
Hashem Memorial Scholarship for Mathematics Studies. Members tabled a Project Lead the Way grant pending its dollar amount.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 942 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of April 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every Essex County meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in Essex County who follows town government? Share Townbrief Essex County: they can sign up free.