Koscielny won’t run again

Saugus board member will leave after 21 years of service for district

After serving 21 years on the Saugus Union School District board, Rose Koscielny said Friday she will not seek re-election in November.

“For the near term, I’m just going to enjoy my family and my grandkids, and I want to go back to school,” Koscielny said. “I’m thinking what I could do, maybe psychology.”

Koscielny said several good family friends have died recently, showing her that now is the time to travel with her husband and see places such as the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. — something she had always planned to do after leaving the board.

“If not now, when are you going to go?” she said rhetorically.

Koscielny said she has seen the Saugus Union School District grow since she joined the board. North Park and Plum Canyon are among the elementary schools she’s seen open under the guidance of the board she served on.

“Everything’s changed so much, and it’s turned out to be so wonderful,” she said.

She has told school district officials she will still be available to help reading to children and helping with programs.

“I can be as active as I choose to be,” she said.

Koscielny’s departure will leave at least one seat open in the Nov. 8 election. David Powell and Chris Trunkey are also up for re-election, and Trunkey has said he plans to run.