Santa debate heating up among Saugus firefighters, school district

SAUGUS (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) - A fifty-year tradition in Saugus was almost broken Monday after the school superintendant told firefighters they would not be allowed to dress as Santa and deliver coloring books to children, the Saugus Fire Chief told FOX 25.

Ever since 1960, Saugus firefighters have dressed up every December as Santa and delivered coloring books to children at local elementary schools; however, Saugus School Superintendant Richard Langlois told the firefighters Monday morning that they would not be welcome in the classrooms.

Langlois told FOX 25 that because of the policies surrounding the separation of church and state in schools the firefighters can not dress as Santa, and that it is his job to enforce the rules.

However, shutting down the tradition had firefighters heated. In their opinion, Santa and coloring books are not religiously influenced and they should be allowed to deliver the items that had been donated.

After receiving several complaints, the superintendant agreed to allow the firefighters to visit the classrooms, but says the matter will be discussed with the school committee at their next scheduled meeting.