Interim Superintendent John Robidoux said he will announce his plan to “operationalize” the School Committee’s new flag policy before the end of the school year. The new protocols will take effect in the fall. After 18 months of contentious discussions and student and public protests, the School Committee approved a flag policy May 1. It allows the U.S., Massachusetts and POW/MIA flags to be affixed to school property by right, along with flags celebrating six national heritage months. The School Committee gave the superintendent the…
Marblehead High School Principal Michele Carlson is encouraging parents to talk to their teens about a TikTok trend that led to the evacuation of the high school Wednesday. The Chromebook Paperclip Challenge on TikTok encourages people to shove a paperclip, tack or aluminum foil into the USB port of a Chromebook. “This action can cause the device’s lithium battery to short-circuit, leading to overheating, smoke or even fire,” Carlson said. Screenshot Screenshot Cell phone video screen shots show the smokey scene after a Tik Tok…
The last of five candidates to pull papers for next month’s School Committee election, incumbent Alison Taylor, is asking voters for a second three-year term. Taylor’s young son attends Marblehead schools. She is a trained civil engineer who works as a “senior manager of customer success” at biotech firm Labviva. “One of my primary goals for the next term is to continue supporting and collaborating with this leadership team to further improve the district’s culture — one that values transparency, fosters trust and prioritizes student-center…
Reaction was swift to the School Committee’s 4-1 vote Thursday night to adopt a flag policy that may lead to the removal of Pride, Black Lives Matter and other flags and banners in Marblehead schools. “While I am disappointed that the School Committee has once again disregarded the needs and voices of Marblehead students, very little surprises me after the last eight months,” Marblehead High School teacher Ashley Skeffington told the Current. “At this point, my only hope is for new leadership on the board…
After 18 months of heated discussion, the School Committee voted Thursday night to approve a flag policy that allows, by right, only U.S., Massachusetts, POW/MIA flags ... along with six heritage month flags. School Committee member Al Williams was the sole no vote. According to the policy, the superintendent will be able to make recommendations for additional flags to the School Committee, which has veto power. The Current will have more on the story ... along with reaction ... Friday morning. The School Committee votes…
At a School Committee facilities subcommittee meeting Wednesday, a new, cheaper plan to address Marblehead High School’s leaky roof was discussed. School leaders agreed to move forward with the planned $8.6 million debt exclusion override request at Town Meeting on Monday, while the new option is explored. The School Committee’s most recent plan is to replace the MHS roof and HVAC units at a cost of about $14 million. Town Meeting in 2022 approved $5.3 million for the project. Local resident Mike Velji, who is…
The School Committee plans to meet this Thursday, May 1, at 6 p.m. and may vote on a controversial flag policy that has roiled the community for 18 months. The most recent version of the policy would allow by right U.S., Massachusetts, POW/MIA and temporary “heritage flags” affixed to school property. The heritage flags would be displayed during appropriate months. For example, a Black History Month flag could fly in February and an LGBTQ+ flag in June. The policy also gives the superintendent power to…
A projected $2.5 million shortfall in a free cash estimate, just revealed, is forcing the Finance Committee to revisit some of its warrant article recommendations, less than a week before Town Meeting begins May 5. The shortfall may lead to cuts in school and library capital projects. Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer speaks with the Finance Committee at a past Town Meeting. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER The new free cash estimate, approximately $9.5 million, still needs to be certified by the state Department of Revenue.…
The full School Committee could vote on a hotly debated flag policy as soon as its next meeting on May 1, after changing and adding language Thursday night. At an April 17 meeting, committee members agreed to amend their proposal to allow “heritage month” flags to be displayed during appropriate months. For example: a Black History Month flag could fly in February and an LGBTQ+ flag in June. Marblehead High parent Cindy Schieffer shared the idea with the School Committee the morning of the meeting.…
Marblehead High School students competed in an exciting cooking contest April 11 based on the hit Food Network show “Chopped.” The judges included interim Superintendent John Robidoux. Culinary teacher Kelly Delany started the competition by creating “secret ingredient baskets” for 15 teams. Some of her favorite items included cactus, artichoke hearts, microgreens and sundried tomatoes. The winning plate in the MHS "Chopped" competition. COURTESY PHOTOS “They had 30 minutes to create a dish and present it to the judges and explain their dish — what…
