Saugus Union School District Superintendent Colleen Hawkins is on a leave of absence until her retirement date, the governing board announced out of closed session during Tuesday evening’s scheduled meeting.
It was announced by governing board President Matthew Watson that the board unanimously voted to approve Hawkins’ leave of absence effective immediately.
“Dr. Hawkins will remain on leave through the date of her retirement on June 30, 2026. The vote was unanimous,” Watson said.
Also reporting out of closed session, the board announced that Jennifer Stevenson, who holds the position of assistant superintendent of human resources for the district, was appointed as the acting superintendent effective immediately and will hold the position until Robert Hernandez begins his contract scheduled for July 1.
“The district extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Hawkins for her eight years of leadership and dedicated service to the district, students, staff and community. The board wishes her all the best in her retirement,” Watson said, and then thanked Stevenson for her willingness to serve as the acting superintendent over the coming weeks “to help ensure a smooth and successful conclusion to the school year,” he added.
Hawkins announced her retirement in November through a written statement posted online thanking the community and cited personal challenges.
The governing board then hired a search firm to seek the district’s next superintendent, which came with a series of community forums in which all stakeholders gave feedback and voiced their concerns to create a leadership profile for possible candidates.
Hernandez was appointed the district’s new superintendent in closed session during the April 21 meeting. He is set to relocate from Texas and has over two decades of experience, according to a press release announcing his appointment.
