To the editor:
As a parent of two young children in the Marblehead public schools who tries to remain regularly active and engaged with current events and school initiatives, I want to emphasize my enthusiasm and support for Melissa Clucas as a School Committee candidate. Just three years ago when my children were first starting out in our public schools, I found myself enthralled in a chaotic and challenging school environment. Every School Committee meeting I attended left me with confusion and an underlying sense of dread. Teachers looked defeated, we had our school principal leave her job mid-year at Glover, and an inevitable teacher strike was looming ahead. Parents were frustrated. I found the School Committee leadership at the time to be unorganized, disengaged with the root cause of the problems at stake, and in complete misalignment with the School Committee mission that was boldly stated on their website and handbook. There was a strong disconnect to our educators and parents. I deeply believed that there was no path forward unless leadership changed and we took a different approach.
When the town voted in Kate Schmeckpepper and Henry Gwaza, and appointed Melissa Clucas, I noticed an immediate change. Parents could ask questions and stay informed. School Committee meetings were engaging and purposeful. The budget was presented in a way that made sense including the future problems that may arise if we don’t address specific issues now.
There were new School Committee initiatives to reach out to the community to engage and interact. Melissa’s term brought on a level of financial expertise that was critical in the puzzle pieces finally coming together. As a CFO with years of expertise, she could break down the budget in a way that we could actually grasp and understand. Not only does she dig into every number to acquire a fundamental understanding, but she took on the additional commitment of serving on the Budget Subcommittee. It is clear that Melissa wants real structural fixes — she does not believe in a band-aid approach that provides short term solutions only. She regularly reiterates her belief in a foundation that relies on community transparency and trust.
Her desire to continue serving on the School Committee and ensure fiscal responsibility comes from being a parent of young children herself. She knows what the stakes are and why strong leadership is important. She also knows how to engage with parents that need answers and she does it well. Melissa’s vision for our schools is a positive and strong one. Her ability to present the state of affairs that we are in and pave a path forward to a bright academic future for our kids is evident in her work and commitment to her role. Her willingness to be an ally to our educators and create a strong work environment for them to succeed is crucial. As a parent, I finally feel hopeful that choosing Marblehead as the town to raise my children in was the right decision.
Renee Saranteas Stout
Ralph Road
