Students were evacuated from Marblehead High School this afternoon after several people heard a series of "pops," part of the school lost power and some people reported smelling what they described as "burning plastic." Fire Chief Jason Gilliland told the Current that a "breaker on a transformer" serving the school popped on a utility pole on the Broughton Road side of the building, knocking out some of the school's power. The outage caused HVAC equipment on the roof to overheat, prompting the evacuation. The incident…
The results of Marblehead High School's latest Substance Use and Risk Factors, or SURF, survey show several encouraging trends, including declines in anxiety, depression and substance use among students. However, anxiety and depression levels remain "above the risk threshold," according to MHS counselor Gina Hart. "What’s good is we’re trending downward," she added. Asked what might be contributing to those trends, Hart answered, "It’s a generational response to substance use right now. Kids are not as interested in it. That has to do with the…
The School Committee Monday green lighted a 3% raise for Superintendent John Robidoux. The increase was already part of the fiscal year 2027 school budget approved at Town Meeting last month. Robidoux just completed the first year of a three-year contract. He earned $215,000 the first year and will earn $221,450 in year two. Superintendent John Robidoux Robidoux, who just completed his Ph.D., spoke at the June 22 School Committee meeting. "I'm not looking to necessarily change that number, but I thought it would be…
The School Committee voted unanimously June 11 to name the Marblehead High School auditorium in honor of Greg Dana, the retired math teacher and theater technical director. A plaque recognizing Dana's service to the schools' performing arts programs will be installed soon. "It's hard to remember a time when Marblehead High School theater has not been a part of my life. I owe it to many wonderful memories over 60 years, beginning when I was in ninth grade," Dana told the Current. "When I returned…
A small crowd of students, families and educators gathered outside Veterans Middle School Friday afternoon to dedicate a bench in memory of Savanah Gatchell, the 13-year-old killed in an alleged drunk-driving crash last August. Savanah Gatchell's mother, Christine, and sister, Alysa Otero, at the bench dedicated Friday in Savanah's memory. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER The bench honoring Savanah Gatchell's memory was wrapped in a pink ribbon. Her schoolwork was displayed there, too. Savanah Gatchell's family and friends embrace at an emotional ceremony dedicating a…
For several hours on Wednesday, a lot of Marblehead was captivated by a rescue mission about 100 feet off Grace Oliver's Beach, where a stolen, red SUV with New York plates was discovered submerged in the water. Marblehead Police — working with Salem Police divers — were able to get the vehicle back on land and lifted onto a tow truck. Police say the car is linked to overnight vandalism at Marblehead High's Piper Field where two cars smashed through an access gate and drove…
“Class of 2026, today is about us,” were the words from Marblehead High School salutatorian Ian Chemel during an address to the graduating class of 2026 at Piper Field on Friday night. “We’re done! We did it! We got up for that dreaded 7:55 a.m. bell however many hundreds of times," Chemel added. "We pushed through probably thousands of pages of notes and who knows how many essays and lab reports and presentations. On this day of celebration, I hope we can all take a…
The Current — in collaboration with The Mariner — was proud to present the Ed Bell and Fraffie Welch Scholarship to graduating Marblehead High School senior Grey Collins. Current President Bob Peck handed the scholarship to Collins at the MHS Scholarship Night on Tuesday. The scholarship is in memory of Current co-founder and legendary newsman Ed Bell and popular Reporter columnist Fraffie Welch. Collins started at the Current more than two years ago as a reporting and photography intern and quickly became an important part…
Marblehead High School will present diplomas to 183 graduating seniors on Friday evening. What's next for these young people as they leave MHS? Check it out.
Final preparations are underway for the Marblehead High School Class of 2026 graduation ceremony, set for Friday, June 5, at 6 p.m. The school will graduate 183 seniors this year. Commencement exercises are scheduled to take place on Piper Field, with the ceremony moving inside the field house in the event of rain. The MHS concert band and orchestra will perform several pieces, including “Vienna” by Billy Joel and “Rivers and Roads” arranged by 2023 graduate Griffin Collins. Members of the Class of 2024 throw…
