The School Committee approved a 3% increase to user fees for athletics and other extracurricular activities starting in the fall. Member Melissa Clucas voted against the increases at a Jan. 15 meeting. Committee Chair Al Williams was not present.
Fees for one season of sports at Marblehead High will rise from $540 to $555. The annual per-family maximum for family fees will jump from $2,060 to $2,125.
Fees for preschool and kindergarten are also increasing. The fee for full-day kindergarten is going from $4,000 to $4,120. Families can apply for financial waivers.
“Our user fees are already so high,” Clucas said. “I think we’re trying to force fit these on parents to make up a budget gap. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
The School Committee voted to place several placeholder override requests on the Town Meeting warrant (agenda). No dollar amounts are included. It also approved placing requests for 11 revolving fund accounts, including for kindergarten and special education.
Superintendent John Robidoux spoke about the ongoing budget process as the district tries to trim at least $1.7 million to meet the town’s level-funding mandate. District leaders have already identified several efficiencies, bringing the gap down to about $800,000.
“It’s important for folks to understand the financial situation that Marblehead is in and what impact the students and staff will face as a result of the town’s directive,” Robidoux said. “I feel compelled to share that we’ve been working diligently to determine what staff reductions and operational efficiencies need to be implemented in order to meet the goal of operating our schools next year with the same funding as this year.”
Robidoux continued, “This is a difficult but necessary task, given the increasing contractual obligations.”
Robidoux acknowledged “the need for ongoing, transparent and meaningful stakeholder engagement, especially within the entire townwide financial picture.”
“I’ve been attending PTO meetings and have some advisory council meetings on the docket as a way to engage community partners and share what we have discussed within the budget subcommittee meeting as we move through the process towards our upcoming budget presentation and public hearing,” he said.
Robidoux concluded, “Please understand that we are in the business of students. They are our main priority, and we cannot lose sight of that.”
Robidoux will present his proposed 2026-27 budget on Feb. 5.
Also at the meeting, member Henry Gwazda announced that the School Committee denied a union grievance filed by Veterans School teacher Brigitte Karns. Karns’ lead teacher position was “split” with another teacher, impacting her stipend and retirement benefits.
Karns accused the district of discriminating against her because she is Jewish and a Zionist. She also alleged the district retaliated against her for speaking out about what she described as antisemitism in Marblehead schools.
Gwazda did not elaborate on the committee’s decision.
The School Committee meets next Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.
