Education - Marblehead Current

22 Jun

Charter School students show off their smarts at exhibition

Leigh Blander0 CommentsArt, Education, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools

Marblehead Community Charter Public School held its 25th annual Exhibition of Student Learning on Wednesday, June 14. Family and friends were invited to walk through the school and explore dozens of projects created and presented by the students. Eighth-grade students Marly Barry (left) and Anna Baughman present their clocktower-themed roller. PHOTOS / CLAIRE TIPS This year’s event was the first full-school exhibition since before COVID. That’s partly why the school chose the theme of “community” this year. “We try to make the projects themselves very…

21 Jun

School Committee chair ‘shocked’ by town budget announcement that could lead to more layoffs

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

The Marblehead School Committee and the district are dealing with a bombshell announcement late Wednesday that the town may not be able contribute the full $350,000 expected toward school energy costs in fiscal year 2024 because there may not be enough funds available. The town also notified the schools that it has to charge back approximately $60,000 in utility costs to the department for the current fiscal year, according to the district. The new Select Board is sworn in Wednesday night. Shortly after, it adjourned…

21 Jun

Marblehead fire chief blazes new trail

Will Dowd0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Public safety, Top Stories, Uncategorized

When Salem State University seniors crossed the stage to collect their diplomas on May 20, there was a very familiar face in the crowd. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland accomplished something no other Marblehead fire chief has done when he earned a bachelor’s of fire science and administration that day. And it only took him 30-plus years to do it. “It was good to finally accomplish this,” Gilliland said. “I hate leaving things undone.” Fire Chief Jason Gilliland wearing his cap and gown after receiving his…

20 Jun

Marblehead voters reject $2.5M general override

Will Dowd0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

Marblehead voters turned down a proposed $2.5 million general override on Tuesday, extending a nearly two-decade trend of rejecting permanent tax increases beyond the annual state-mandated cap of 2.5%. Supporters hold signs outside the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center on election day. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER The general override failed on a vote of 3,399 to 2,992 and comes after weeks of passionate debate in the community. The measure was intended to address a structural deficit in the fiscal year 2024 municipal budget.…

20 Jun

Marblehead voters head to polls to decide tax override, candidate races

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Politics, Public safety, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Marblehead voters are heading to the polls today, June 20, deciding a $2.5 million permanent tax override, along with several hotly-contested races for Select Board, School Committee, Board of Health and more. Override supporters say the tax increase is necessary to fund dozens of town positions in the schools, public safety and public works, along with programs. Critics say the town has mismanaged its finances and should live within its means. Read more about the override debate here. For a complete election rundown, check out…

16 Jun

Superintendent: Now is not the time for raise or contract extension

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

Superintendent John Buckey started the June 15 School Committee meeting saying he would not accept a contract extension or raise, if offered, because his focus is on Tuesday's $2.5 million override vote that will help fund the schools and other town departments. Superintendent John Buckey says his focus is on the tax override vote. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER "I want to state unequivocally that all of us — the School Committee, the superintendent and the people of Marblehead — have a far more pressing…

15 Jun

Music, poetry, passion at Juneteenth celebration

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Municipal Matters, Nonprofit corner, Top Stories

Marblehead High School students of color shared their visions of a "world with justice" at the town's third annual Juneteenth celebration and flag raising on June 14. More than 100 people gathered on the Abbot Hall lawn for the event. Marblehead resident Maeve Hargrove listens with her five-year-old twins Luna and A.J. at the town's Juneteenth celebration. CURRENT PHOTOS / NICOLE GOODUE-BOYD "A world with justice looks like being able to check social media without seeing another article about a victim of police brutality," said…

14 Jun

Parents, businesses support preschool after church removes pride flags

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Religion, Top Stories

The Marblehead Pride Committee along with some parents and local businesses are rallying to support the Pleasant Street Preschool after members of Grace Community Church removed gay pride flags put up by the preschool’s owner Michael Richmond, who is gay and rents classroom space in the church. Richmond’s partner is a teacher in the preschool. They say the church has been trying to kick them out for months. “We see discrimination, violence and hate directed toward the LGBTQ community on the news every day. Sadly,…

13 Jun

Teacher faces ‘personal attack’ on social media over gender/sexuality vocabulary lesson

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

Veterans School Principal Matt Fox sent an email to parents today alerting them to what he called a "personal attack" on a teacher who was named and tagged in an anonymous post on a local social media page over a lesson on sexuality identity. Veterans School Principal Matt Fox says a teacher has been subject to a "personal attack" on social media. "This post and many very hurtful comments were linked directly to the teacher's social media accounts and included her name within many of…

13 Jun

Abbot Library hosts Summer Reading Kickoff

Leigh Blander0 CommentsCommunity Resources, Education, Entertainment, Local News, Municipal Matters, Nonprofit corner

The Abbot Public Library hosted its first Summer Reading Kickoff on Saturday, June 10, featuring live music, ice cream, community partners and a book sale. People browse the book sale sponsored by Friends of Abbot Public Library. CURRENT PHOTOS / CLAIRE TIPS Folk singer Dan Blakeslee plays his guitar for children at the Abbot Public Library’s Summer Reading Kickoff. “The Summer Reading Kickoff is all about sharing the love of reading with kids,” Library Dir. Kimberly Grad told the Marblehead Current at the event. “We…