During what Sarah Fox remarked several times was a “feel good” School Committee meeting on March 6, Glover School students led a hands-on art project and encouraged committee members to join. Students Maya Flyer, Roan O'Reilly, Hunter Hayes and Nikko Vasiliou taught School Committee members about neurographic art and led through them a demonstration. Neurographic art is a technique involving drawing freeform lines. Glover School students lead the School Committee in a stress-reducing art lesson on March 6. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER “You can…
The School Committee’s policy subcommittee released its latest draft flag policy, which appears to exclude students and the community from having any input in what flags and banners are displayed in schools, a stance that the subcommittee indicated was largely due to advice from the School Committee’s attorney. It could lead to the removal of Black Lives Matter, Juneteenth and Pride flags. More than 120 students and residents packed two recent public forums, with the overwhelming majority asking that students have a voice in the…
The latest draft policy for flags in Marblehead schools apparently excludes students from the process.The School Committee's policy sub-committee meets at 11:30 a.m. to discuss a proposal that says the following: 1. Flags that have official legal status — the U.S. flag, Massachusetts state flag and the POW/MIA flag — shall be displayed on school property;2. In addition, flags, banners and similar symbolic displays that reflect the school district's mission, vision and values, shall be displayed at such times and locations on school district property…
This story was updated with new information on Monday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m. School Committee members Jenn Schaeffner and Alison Taylor plan to meet Friday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m., to discuss a new draft flag policy for Marblehead schools. Schaeffner told the Current that she shared information from two recent flag forums, as well as a counterproposal by students, with the district’s lawyer and that he is writing a new draft plan for discussion on Friday. That meeting is virtual and open to…
At a public budget hearing on Feb. 27, interim Superintendent John Robidoux said the district will begin working on the fiscal year 2027 budget, including “staff reductions and/or an override” as soon as Town Meeting wraps up this May. Educator salary increases (3% in 2027 and 3.5% in 2028) will lead to some tough decisions, according to Robidoux. “When we get to those discussions, we’re going to have to look long and hard at staffing … and determine early on whether there will be a…
The Marblehead Board of Health and Marblehead High School have notified families that a student there is suspected of having the serious, infectious illness bacterial meningitis. Meningitis can spread between people if they are in close contact with an exchange of saliva. This can happen during kissing, sharing lipstick or vapes, sharing food or utensils including cups and water bottles. “Out of an abundance of caution and because of the high degree of suspicion for meningococcal disease, the Marblehead Board of Health has identified close…
The public will get two opportunities to offer input to the School Committee this week — on flags and next year’s budget. First, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., the School Committee will host a community forum at the high school library on a possible flag policy. Committee members Jenn Schaeffner and Alison Taylor have proposed allowing only U.S., Marblehead, Massachusetts and POW/MIA flags on school property. This would lead to the removal of Black Lives Matter, Juneteenth and Pride flags in schools. The…
Interim Superintendent John Robidoux reported a spike in absences this week, which is typically a vacation week. School was scheduled to make up for missed days during the teachers strike. Here’s the breakdown of absences by school: — Glover 33.7%— Brown 37.5%— Village 44.2%— Vets 47.7%— MHS 49.7% “I know that flu and COVID were hitting all the schools hard over the past couple of weeks, so I would surmise that has impacted each school a bit as well,” Robidoux said. Robidoux added that he…
Interim Superintendent John Robidoux and other leaders in town are reacting to the Trump administration’s latest order against diversity, equity and inclusion. Department of Education Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor sent a letter on Feb. 14 saying that elementary, secondary and higher education schools that receive federal funding must cancel all DEI-related policies or programming by Feb. 28 or risk losing that funding. Marblehead schools received $947,992 in federal funding in fiscal 2025, according to Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin. Would President Donald…
Throughout February, Marblehead schools have been celebrating Black History Month with special projects and curricula. “We’re proud of the work our educators are doing to help teach our students about justice and equality,” Assistant Superintendent for Learning Julia Ferreira told the Current. In the elementary schools, students are learning about influential African Americans, including Jackie Robinson, former First Lady Michelle Obama and musician Trombone Shorty. Brown School students in Judith O’Flynn’s first-grade class learned about Rosa Parks and read the book “Rosa Parks: Bus Ride…
