The School Committee approved a two-year contract for new interim Superintendent John Robidoux, who starts on July 1. Robidoux will be paid $208,000 the first year. His salary for the second year is listed as “to be determined.”
Robidoux just left the superintendent position in Swansea. He lives in Rhode Island.
The contact includes a no-cause early termination payment of $50,000. Member Al Williams, who joined the School Committee in February, asked his colleagues why they needed that.
“For us to terminate someone without cause, what’s the scenario where that happens?” he said. “Typically, if we’re documenting and doing a good job evaluating employees, that wouldn’t happen.”
Jenn Schaeffner, who was chosen as chair of the School Committee that evening, replied, “It could be any number of reasons why.”
Added member Sarah Fox, “Without it, you would need to go to arbitration or pay the entire contract.”
Last summer, the School Committee paid former superintendent John Buckey nearly $175,000 in a separation agreement. This year, the district also paid the former student services director and assistant director a total of $124,000 in separation agreements.
Robidoux’s contract also states that the School Committee needs to let him know by March 2026 if it wants to hire him for a longer period of time.
Robidoux arrives at a tumultuous time for the district. It faces a civil rights lawsuit over a student restraint and contract talks with the teachers union have been heated, with the School Committee and union filing grievances against each other. There are also several new district leaders, after an exodus over the winter and spring.
Student services shortfalls
At the same June 20 meeting, the School Committee heard about the Department of Secondary Education’s review of Marblehead’s student services department. Among the 34 categories, Marblehead did not score a single one in the “commendable” range.
Six areas fell into the “partially implemented” range, requiring further improvements.
Those areas include the following findings: IEPs not always issued in a timely manner, some services delayed without written notice to families, and some re-evaluations and annual reviews not completed in time.
The district is hiring an outside consultant to conduct a comprehensive audit of the special services department.
MHS to receive $75K state skills capital grant
Marblehead High School has been awarded $75,000 from the state to upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces and expand career and workforce training programs.
MHS is one of 65 high schools, colleges and other educational institutions to receive a total of $15 million in skills capital grants.
“Schools receiving skills capital grants partner with local businesses and align curriculum and credentials with industry standards, ensuring our students are prepared for when they enter the workforce,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants are a win for our students, schools, employers and local communities.”
Editor Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist.