Marblehead Public Schools

The School Committee voted Wednesday night to approve up to $25,000 for an independent investigation into antisemitism accusations and counterclaims among district employees. School Committee members also decided to have incoming interim Superintendent John Robidoux select the investigator with a deadline of July 19. Robidoux starts in Marblehead on July 1. The School Committee’s counsel has proposed three investigative firms to choose from. At an emotional public meeting on June 20 several community members asked to vet the firms before one is selected. People packed last week's School Committee meeting, which addressed accusations of antisemitism and counterclaims. COURTESY PHOTO / JAMES MARONEY Wednesday night, School Committee member Brian Ota cautioned against “investigating...

After listening to two hours of emotional public comment about accusations of antisemitism in Marblehead schools, the School Committee voted to hire an independent investigator to look into the claims and counterclaims.  More than 140 people packed a School Committee meeting June 20 to address accusations of antisemitism in Marblehead schools. COURTESY PHOTO / JAMES MARONEY More than 140 people, including several from the Israeli-American Civic Action Network,  packed the School Committee meeting Thursday night, after a June 10 ICAN webinar where Veterans School teacher Brigitte Karns accused a high school world language teacher with the initials “C.S.” of making antisemitic statements. Karns also accused the teacher of tearing down the Israeli flag in the cafeteria and th...

The School Committee approved a two-year contract for new interim Superintendent John Robidoux, who starts on July 1. Robidoux will be paid $208,000 the first year. His salary for the second year is listed as “to be determined.” New interim superintendent John Robidoux CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Robidoux just left the superintendent position in Swansea. He lives in Rhode Island. The contact includes a no-cause early termination payment of $50,000. Member Al Williams, who joined the School Committee in February, asked his colleagues why they needed that. “For us to terminate someone without cause, what’s the scenario where that happens?” he said. “Typically, if we’re documenting and doing a good job evaluating employees, that wouldn’t happen.” Jenn Schaeffner, who was ch...

The School Committee will vote at its June 20 meeting on hiring an independent investigator to look into “multiple formal complaints of harassment and discrimination” filed by district employees, according to a statement sent to the community by interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness. The statement does not provide details on the subject of the complaints, but does say, “The contemporary political climate has fanned strong emotions and divisiveness. We are aware of a rapidly intensifying dispute among groups of school district employees.” McGuinness’ statement continues: “The district has attempted, as is our obligation, to investigate these claims internally. Unfortunately, the allegations made by the persons involved have escalated to the point that these investigators themselv...

A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the town, Marblehead Public Schools and several Glover School teachers and staff on behalf of a 9-year-old Black student who was allegedly improperly restrained. “From September to December 2023, MPS employees at Glover brutally and impermissibly restrained (the student) on numerous occasions,” the complaint filed in Suffolk Superior Court alleges. A civil rights lawsuit has been filed against the town, school district and several Glover School teachers and staff, alleging a student was illegally restrained multiple times. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER It continues, “MPS employees at Glover also isolated (the student) in empty rooms, leaving him alone, upset and afraid. These employees’ actions terrified the student and caused him to ...

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination has dismissed a complaint filed by School Committee member Brian Ota against the Marblehead Public Schools. Ota, the former Glover School principal, filed the complaint in May 2022 after then-superintendent John Buckey chose not to renew Ota’s contract. Ota alleged discrimination based on his age (he was 71 years old), race/color (Asian) and national origin (Japanese-American), according to the MCAD. The MCAD said its investigation “reveals insufficient evidence” that MPS made the decision based on Ota’s age, race/color or national origin.  Brian Ota filed a discrimination complaint against the district after his contract as Glover School principal was not renewed. The state recently dismissed the complaint. COURTESY PHOTO...