Education

At 2:20 p.m., Chair Sarah Fox sent out a "joint press release" on behalf of the School Committee and superintendent saying, "The Marblehead Public School Committee and Dr. John Buckey have come to an acceptable agreement resulting in his resignation as Superintendent of Schools. Former Superintendent John Buckey outside the Brown School. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER The statement continued, "Dr. Buckey’s resignation comes after several days of contract negotiations. Dr. Buckey deeply appreciates the opportunity to have served his community, and the Marblehead Public…

The attorney for Superintendent John Buckey, Mike Long, tells the Current that he sent an email at 6:59 a.m. today with a "modified proposal" to the School Committee, which has met in two executive (private) sessions to discuss Buckey's early termination. School Committee Chair Sarah Fox confirmed that the committee's attorney received the proposal, adding, "I believe she has responded." No details of the proposal are being disclosed. Cathyann Swindlehurst of Marblehead has filed an open meeting law violation claim against the School Committee, asking…

A Marblehead resident has filed an open meeting law violation complaint against the School Committee in the early termination controversy involving Superintendent John Buckey. "I am concerned, as per the attached complaint, that the School Committee has committed an Open Meeting Law violation by failing to deliberate in public on the decision to consider exercising the termination for convenience clause in the current Superintendent’s employment agreement," Cathyann Swindlehurst wrote in an email to the School Committee alerting them about the complaint, which was filed July…

At 9:30 a.m., the School Committee convened on Zoom and voted immediately to enter an executive (private) session to discuss Superintendent John Buckey's early termination. The school district's attorney Colby Brunt is in attendance. Committee member Brian Ota, who filed a discrimination complaint against Buckey, recused himself from the executive session. School Committee Chair Sarah Fox seemingly did not mention whether the meeting would reconvene after the executive session, which would be a violation of the state open meeting law, G.L.c. 30A, § 21(b)(4). For…

The following is a timeline of events leading up to the Superintendent John Buckey's departure on August 2. July 2020Buckey hiredSchool Committee hires Dr. John Buckey as superintendent, following Maryann Perry and interim Bill McAlduff. July 2021Contract extendedSchool Committee gives Buckey a "proficient" rating on his performance review and extends his contract for another two years, until 2025. The vote is 4-1 with Sarah Fox dissenting. (Fox is now the committee chair.) June 2022Buckey receives raiseSchool Committee approves 2.5% raise for Buckey following a "proficient"…

If you blinked, you missed it. Tonight's highly-anticipated School Committee meeting to vote on the early termination of Superintendent John Buckey's contract lasted less than one minute. The next time the School Committee meets, it will be in executive session with no public access. "We are no longer going forward with this meeting tonight due to last-minute communication between counsel and I have been advised to adjourn the meeting immediately at 7:31," said School Committee Chair Sarah Fox. More than 235 people had tuned in.…

Hours before the School Committee meets to discuss the early termination clause of Superintendent John Buckey's contract, the attorney for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents says it is unfair that Buckey will apparently be fired tonight — without knowing why. Superintendent John Buckey speaking at the gay pride flag raising in June. CURRENT PHOTO / WILLIAM J. DOWD "Dr. Buckey has asked me to convey his deep disappointment and sadness resulting from the abrupt action of the Marblehead School Committee, orchestrated in a Zoom…

The executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents is speaking out about the Marblehead School Committee's vote tomorrow on the "early termination" clause in Superintendent John Buckey's contract. "Marblehead has got to get their act together," M.A.S.S. Executive Director Tom Scott told the Current. "This will be your seventh superintendent in the past 15 years. That includes permanent and interim superintendents. That's not good for a long-term plan for a district." Superintendent John Buckey outside the Brown School. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER…