Education - Marblehead Current

13 Mar

School Committee begins weighing override to restore budget cuts

Leigh BlanderEducation, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

At its March 12 meeting, the Marblehead School Committee began discussing override options to help restore deep budget cuts planned for fiscal 2027. As directed by the town, the district delivered a level-funded budget that includes more than a dozen staff layoffs. Now the town is requesting an additional $1.5 million in cuts. “I’m not interested in backing a band-aid situation,” School Committee member Melissa Clucas said about an override. “I’m interested in backing something that structurally fixes the problem.” Select Board Chair Dan Fox…

10 Mar

Town administrator to reveal override scenarios Wednesday

Leigh BlanderAbbot Public Library, Business, Education, Health, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Much-anticipated figures are now in from Group Insurance Commission, the state-backed insurance plan the town uses to purchase employees’ health insurance. The increase for fiscal year 2027 will be 11%, down from the 15% feared earlier but not as low as recently hoped. “Pretty much the same,” Marblehead Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin wrote in an email to the Current Saturday night about the final impact. “No real change.” That means the town’s projected $7.7 million deficit will likely not decrease significantly. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer…

09 Mar

Headlight: March 11, 2026

Headlight StaffEducation, Headlight

Check out the latest issue of Marblehead High School’s Headlight. In this edition: Assistant Editor Georgia Marshall, a junior, looks back on "The Mender," which earned four MHS students accolades in the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild drama festival. Also noted is the Junior Class Auction, with bidding on over 100 items set to wrap up by the end of the week. Headlight March 11th, 2026Download

09 Mar

News in brief: Coffin School meeting, energy reduction plan passes, Dems pick delegates

Leigh BlanderArt, Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, News in brief, Recreation

The Current welcomes 150–200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send yours to lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Second community meeting set for Coffin School reuse The old Coffin School CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER The town will hold its second community forum to hear feedback from residents about possible re-uses for the old Coffin School on Turner Road.The meeting will happen Wednesday, March 18, 6 p.m. at Abbot Hall on the second floor. It will also be available on Zoom at marbleheadma.gov/event/coffin-school-community-meeting-2/ Joining the town will be representatives from…

06 Mar

School Committee weighs next steps for FY27 budget amid uncertainty from town

Akanksha GoyalEducation, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

The Marblehead School Committee spent much of its Thursday meeting discussing how to move forward with the district’s fiscal year 2027 budget after town officials proposed a scenario Wednesday night that could require the schools to absorb roughly $1.5 million in additional cuts. (Review the town's two budget scenarios at the bottom of this article.) Members said they were reluctant to consider further reductions to the district’s proposed level-funded budget without clearer data from town officials about the financial assumptions driving a request for additional…

04 Mar

Marblehead weighs deep cuts, new fees to close $7.7M budget gap

Leigh BlanderEducation, Health, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Select Board Wednesday night that the town faces a $7.7 million deficit for fiscal 2027, presenting two stark budget scenarios that would either dramatically shrink town government or introduce new fees and additional cuts to maintain some services. “This is not a surprise, but it is shocking what we’re facing right now,” said Town Moderator Jack Attridge after hearing the presentation. The deficit, currently calculated at $7,736,211, reflects rising health insurance costs, inflation and limited revenue growth under the…

04 Mar

Marblehead Current, The Mariner partner to offer graduation scholarship

Leigh BlanderAbout Us, Community Resources, Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools

The Marblehead Current and The Mariner are partnering to offer a prestigious $2,000 scholarship created in memory of Frances "Fraffie" Welch and Ed Bell, both of whom had significant careers in journalism and contributed greatly to the Marblehead community. Applications are being accepted now through April 9 HERE. Welch, a graduate of Marblehead High School, spent over 30 years serving as a journalist and committed herself to her community. Bell had a distinguished 50-year career, excelling in newspapers, broadcasting and wire service. He co-founded…

02 Mar

Headlight: March 4, 2026

Headlight StaffEducation, Headlight

Check out the latest issue of Marblehead High School’s Headlight. In this edition: Editor-in-Chief Grey Collins introduces readers to the MHS Class of ‘26 valedictorian and salutatorian, Joy Meshulum and Ian Chemel. Freshman Sophie Li writes about the tastiest lesson of the year in French class, "Crepe Day." Headlight March 4th, 2026Download

02 Mar

Epstein Hillel School will remain open

Leigh BlanderEducation, Top Stories

Marblehead's struggling Jewish day school Epstein Hillel announced late Monday that it will remain open and "is charting a strong path ahead," according to an email sent to families and supporters. "Over the past three months, our community has stepped forward in ways that reflect a deep commitment to Jewish day school education and to the unique meaning that EHS holds for so many of us," the statement read. Twelve-hundred donors contributed approximately $2.6 million toward the school's $3 million fundraising push. "Most notably, we…

02 Mar

Let’s Eat!: Dollars for Scholars launches fundraiser

Leigh BlanderEducation, Local News

Marblehead Dollars for Scholars announces its sixth annual gift card fundraiser, “Let’s Eat!” Established in 1987, this local nonprofit that provides financial, need-based scholarships to college students will partner with a variety of Marblehead eateries to raise scholarship funds. Throughout the month of March, four businesses will donate 10% of all online or in-person gift card purchases to the organization. The vendors include: Shubie’s, The Landing, Sea Salt and Maria’s Gourmet. Marblehead Dollars for Scholars president Jac Bentley says the need for scholarship dollars is…