At the Veterans School Thursday, more than 150 seventh graders took on the roles of Marblehead voters, debating Proposition 2 1⁄2 tax overrides in a lively mock Town Meeting that mirrored the real decisions facing the town on Monday, May 4. Students rose one by one to speak at the microphone, some arguing passionately that additional funding was essential to maintain services, while others warned of the burden higher taxes could place on residents — particularly seniors on fixed incomes. Town Moderator Jack Attridge led…
Jerry Wishnow was combing through bins at a flea market on the Lynnway years ago when something caught his eye: a 72-page paperback titled “Town of Marblehead Auditors’ Report, 1890-91.” As Marbleheaders closely follow today’s budget and override debate, Wishnow said the old report offers a fascinating look at how little — and how much — has changed. Jerry Wishnow stands on his back porch holding the copy of the “Town of Marblehead Auditors’ Report 1890-91.” CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER Wishnow, a retired award-winning…
This article is part of the Current’s ongoing coverage of Marblehead’s upcoming June 9 election. With two seats open on the School Committee this June, voters will have two familiar faces and one newcomer to consider as they head to the polls. Incumbent Melissa Clucas is seeking to retain the seat she was appointed to in September 2025. Former committee member Sarah Fox and newcomer Ann-Marie Jordan are also in the race. Melissa Clucas Clucas, a chief financial officer and mother of three, was appointed…
The Finance Committee voted Monday night to recommend passage of Article 29 at Town Meeting, which authorizes the Select Board to place a three-year, three-tier ($9 million, $12 million and $15 million) override on the June 9 ballot. The FinCom recommended appropriating up to $4.3 million of the override for fiscal 2027, which is the amount laid out in Tier 3. The FinCom declined to endorse a specific tier, although Chair Alec Goolsby shared his support for Tier One at minimum. “I'm not afraid to…
The Marblehead High School auditorium has been transformed into the Greek island of Kalokairi ahead of the MHS Drama Club production of “Mamma Mia!” which is set for a four- show run May 1-3. “I’m very, very excited for people to see all of these elements come together,” said director Ashley Skeffington, who also teaches 11th-grade English at Marblehead High School. “Our tech crew really stepped up their game this year and our sets are really, really beautiful… I think the choreography is really next…
In preparation for Earth Day on April 22, Brown School students rolled up their sleeves last week, grabbing shovels and rakes and planting flowers in several spots outside the building. The project was organized by Brown’s third-grade Leadership Council. “We want to help the earth,” said member Harvey Caselli. Students also cleaned playground equipment, picked up trash, created colorful, Earth-themed chalk artwork and planted flowers. Elise O’Sullivan and Erin Murphy pick up trash on the Brown School playground before planting flowers. Jayce White plants a…
On a recent blustery Saturday morning, cameras rolled as residents gathered around town to film a short video encouraging voters to support a Proposition 2 1⁄2 override and preserve town services. The effort is organized by the citizen group For Marblehead, which is producing a 60-second video highlighting what supporters describe as the community’s shared commitment to its schools, infrastructure and civic institutions. Among those volunteering their time behind the camera are TV commercial director Tom Foley and his sons, Wyatt and Beckett. “A bunch…
School Superintendent John Robidoux, along with Police Chief Dennis King and Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, sent a message home with Marblehead High School students on Tuesday, asking "every family and every student to make safety the priority" as prom and graduation season approaches. "We are asking parents and guardians to speak directly with their students before prom night," the letter reads. "Please know where your student is going before and after the event, who they will be with, who is supervising any gathering…
By Kate Schmeckpeper The School Committee just approved an additional $1.5 million reduction to the Marblehead Public Schools FY27 budget without many staffing or programmatic reductions. Smoke and mirrors? No. This was achieved through a deliberate shift in how the district will manage out-of-district special education costs. It is not the result of a windfall or a shortcut nor a sign that MPS suddenly has money to spare. Rather, it is a thoughtful revision of a strategy that protected Marblehead during the pandemic’s period of…
Editor Leigh Blander and reporter Akanksha Goyal contributed reporting to this article. The Select Board is expected to meet Wednesday, April 15, to review a more detailed presentation of a tiered proposal to override Proposition 2 1/2 — $9 million, $12 million and $15 million — and what cuts each tier would restore. Marblehead faces a $7.7 million deficit for fiscal year 2027. The Select Board and Finance Committee have approved a proposed $123 million budget that includes program cuts and about 40 layoffs. The…
