NEW on March 24: The School Committee's budget subcommittee will meet virtually Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. to try again to determine whether the $1.5 million additional cuts requested by the town represent an accurate number. The public can join HERE. Public comment is on the agenda. Then on Friday, the School Committee will meet at 10 a.m. to vote on its final budget and a possible override request, according to the agenda. The meeting will take place at the Mary Alley Municipal Building (lower level)…
As Marblehead confronts a $7.7 million budget deficit for fiscal 2027, residents concerned about deep cuts to schools and town services have launched a grassroots ballot question committee called For Marblehead. The group will “advocate for sustainable funding, responsible policies and strong civic leadership in support of the town’s schools, services and infrastructure,” according to a press release. For Marblehead is pushing for a “comprehensive, forward-looking” override that will “provide meaningful support across town departments.” It is not seeking a “menu approach” override that would…
At its March 12 meeting, the Marblehead School Committee began discussing override options to help restore deep budget cuts planned for fiscal 2027. As directed by the town, the district delivered a level-funded budget that includes more than a dozen staff layoffs. Now the town is requesting an additional $1.5 million in cuts. “I’m not interested in backing a band-aid situation,” School Committee member Melissa Clucas said about an override. “I’m interested in backing something that structurally fixes the problem.” Select Board Chair Dan Fox…
Much-anticipated figures are now in from Group Insurance Commission, the state-backed insurance plan the town uses to purchase employees’ health insurance. The increase for fiscal year 2027 will be 11%, down from the 15% feared earlier but not as low as recently hoped. “Pretty much the same,” Marblehead Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin wrote in an email to the Current Saturday night about the final impact. “No real change.” That means the town’s projected $7.7 million deficit will likely not decrease significantly. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer…
The Current welcomes 150–200-word submissions to News in Brief. Send yours to lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Second community meeting set for Coffin School reuse The old Coffin School CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER The town will hold its second community forum to hear feedback from residents about possible re-uses for the old Coffin School on Turner Road.The meeting will happen Wednesday, March 18, 6 p.m. at Abbot Hall on the second floor. It will also be available on Zoom at marbleheadma.gov/event/coffin-school-community-meeting-2/ Joining the town will be representatives from…
Todd Bloodgood, the facilities director for Marblehead Public Schools, died suddenly March 1. He was 58 years old. Todd Bloodgood worked for MPS since 2018. COURTESY PHOTO At a March 5 School Committee meeting, Superintendent John Robidoux spoke about Bloodgood, who was heavily involved in several capital projects for the district. “This past Sunday night, our school community was devastated by the sudden loss of Todd Bloodgood, our facilities director. Todd was a kind and gentle man who dedicated himself to our district since 2018…
The Marblehead School Committee spent much of its Thursday meeting discussing how to move forward with the district’s fiscal year 2027 budget after town officials proposed a scenario Wednesday night that could require the schools to absorb roughly $1.5 million in additional cuts. (Review the town's two budget scenarios at the bottom of this article.) Members said they were reluctant to consider further reductions to the district’s proposed level-funded budget without clearer data from town officials about the financial assumptions driving a request for additional…
When Josh Buchsbaum walks through the halls of Marblehead High School this week, he won’t just be revisiting his old locker and classrooms. He’ll be looking at the building through a completely different lens — one shaped by 25,000 miles of solo cycling across five continents and a career devoted to energy efficiency. Marblehead native and MHS grad Josh Buchsbaum cycled 25,000 miles around the globe. This picture was taken in Bolivia. COURTESY PHOTO Buchsbaum, who graduated from MHS in 2008, now lives in Golden,…
The Marblehead Current and The Mariner are partnering to offer a prestigious $2,000 scholarship created in memory of Frances "Fraffie" Welch and Ed Bell, both of whom had significant careers in journalism and contributed greatly to the Marblehead community. Applications are being accepted now through April 9 HERE. Welch, a graduate of Marblehead High School, spent over 30 years serving as a journalist and committed herself to her community. Bell had a distinguished 50-year career, excelling in newspapers, broadcasting and wire service. He co-founded…
About 25 people came out for the School Committee’s public forum on the district’s proposed $49 million fiscal 2027 budget, which includes staffing and other cuts. The town requested that Superintendent John Robidoux present a level-funded plan. “This requires a decrease in staffing and services and no funding increase over our current (fiscal 2026) approved budget,” Robidoux explained. A mix of educators and parents came out for the School Committee’s Feb. 26 budget forum. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Among the cuts are the equivalent…
