To the editor:
Marblehead takes pride in being an inclusive, compassionate community, yet awareness of our special education in the public schools remains limited.
Through my research and interviews with local educators, advocacy leaders and School Committee board members, I learned that our schools are deeply committed to inclusion, yet funding and staffing limitations make it difficult to support every student. When budgets are tight, special education positions are often the first to be cut, School Committee member Henry Gwazda told me. This results in a ripple effect: fewer teachers mean fewer services, lower salaries make it harder to retain qualified educators, and families seek out-of-district placements, and the town ultimately spends more.
Educators told me they believed in inclusion, but without adequate trained staff or time to collaborate, even the best models of inclusion cannot reach their full potential. One teacher shared with just an extra hour every two weeks for instructional assistant training, they believe many problems could be prevented. Small investments can make a large difference.
At the same time, programs like Best Buddies and Unified Sports show how powerful inclusion can be when supported by the surrounding community. These initiatives in Marblehead communicate the importance of respect and awareness in special education, while building real friendships. Thus proving, inclusion does strengthen an entire community.
We can continue this process, but only if we take action now. Marblehead, driven by the value of inclusion, should protect special education funding. We should work to prioritize staff training, and strengthen community awareness through SEPAC and local initiatives. I encourage residents to attend SEPAC meetings, speak up at School Committee sessions and advocate for the resources our educators and students need to be the best. Supporting inclusion in special education means investing in the future success of every child in Marblehead.
Sincerely,
Eliza Payne
Pingree School junior
Clifton Heights Lane
