Education - Marblehead Current

27 Jun

NEW: Town, school finance directors issue joint statement about energy reserve fund flap

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

Tuesday afternoon, Town Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin and Schools Assistant Superintendent of Finance Michelle Cresta issued a joint statement days after confusion erupted at a Select Board meeting about $350,000 in energy reserve funds typically allotted to the schools. "The town's new finance director was unaware of the school's utilization of the energy fund," the statement reads. "Historically, the school department has utilized a majority portion of the energy reserve fund as the schools are the largest department in the town with far and away…

22 Jun

Town will let schools access $350K in energy reserve funds, but only for one more year

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Top Stories

In a heated meeting Thursday morning, Marblehead Finance Director Aleesha Nunley-Benjamin emphasized that the school district will have access to $350,000 in town energy reserve funds for fiscal year 2024, easing concerns about more layoffs in the district. The Finance Committee discussed $350,000 in energy reserve funds typically used by the schools. Nunley-Benjamin, who started in Marblehead this spring, told the Finance Committee that she was shocked to learn Wednesday that the school district has historically used $350,000 of the town's energy reserve fund as…

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,…