McGuinness Takes the Lead: Her Vision for Marblehead's Schools
Theresa McGuinness—familiar to many Marbleheaders from her time as Village School principal—returned to Marblehead this week to assume the position of interim superintendent of schools.
Tears, Information, and Inspiration As Four Israelis Visit Marblehead’s JCC
Over the course of about ninety minutes, the audience heard stories of terror and loss interspersed with messages of optimism and a discussion of the lessons to be learned from lives cut short too soon.
Four Israelis to Share Stories at Marblehead JCC on Sunday
Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 12 noon at 4 Community Road, Marblehead
“Black Lives Matter” Flag Once Again on Display at Marblehead High School
Conversations surrounding the BLM flag have become more heated in recent weeks in the wake of the tragic events that took place in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Select Board and School Committee Dispute Coffin School Property
After 3-2 School Committee vote to retain Coffin for future school use, Select Board threatens legal measures to obtain control and use property for housing development instead
Marblehead School Committee Votes Unanimously In Support of Superintendent’s Statement on Israel
During the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday evening, October 19, 2023, the Marblehead School Committee voted five-zero for a motion “to find no wrongdoing by acting superintendent Michelle Cresta in the complaint brought forward by Kristi Warab on 10-12-23.”
School Committee to Discuss Complaint Against Cresta in Open Session
The agenda for tonight's School Committee meeting has been amended to indicate that Acting Superintendent Michelle Cresta is waiving her right to have the complaint against her discussed in private
Cresta’s Email In Support of Israel Subject of Official Complaint from Marblehead Resident
School Committee issues statement explaining that they have scheduled an executive session at the advice of legal council and in compliance with their policies
Marbleheaders with Ties to Israel Share Heartbreak, Horror, and Disbelief
Many individuals in our local north shore community have been directly impacted by the events that have taken place in Israel over the past several days.
Theresa McGuinness Offered Interim Superintendent Position on 4 to 1 Vote
Pending contract negotiations, McGuinness will assume her new role in Marblehead on November 1, 2023
School Committee Delays Vote on Interim Superintendent Hire
Meeting to deliberate and vote on an interim superintendent now scheduled for Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
ARPA Update: How Has the $6.1 Million Been Spent?
Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer reports that approximately $5.4 million has been allocated of the total $6.1 million in ARPA funds awarded to Marblehead
In Their Own Words: Marblehead Hears from Two Candidates for Interim Superintendent
On Monday evening, October 2, 2023, the Marblehead School Committee conducted public interviews for two candidates selected as finalists for the position of interim superintendent.
Two Candidates Named as Finalists for Interim Superintendent
The Marblehead School Committee released a press release today, September 28, 2023, announcing that the Interim Superintendent Screening Committee has chosen two candidates as finalists.
Michelle Cresta’s Many Hats
Marblehead Beacon's conversation with Michelle Cresta, Marblehead's acting superintendent of schools and assistant superintendent of finance and operations
Book Controversies, Vaping, and Literacy Concerns: Perspectives From Marblehead's Former Middle School Librarian
Elizabeth Lutwak, former Marblehead Veterans Middle School librarian, challenges parents and school administrators to do a better job setting high expectations for students
Opening the Vault: School Committee Releases Executive Session Minutes
Earlier today – August 14, 2023 – the meeting minutes from the two executive sessions held by the School Committee to discuss Superintendent John Buckey’s contract were posted to the “Agendas, Materials and Minutes” section of the Marblehead Schools website.
Marblehead’s Recess Wars: An Update
As Marblehead Beacon reported in the fall of last year, Marblehead has endured significant controversy surrounding the issue of elementary school recess.
Forging Ahead: After Hearing Community’s Complaints, School Committee Talks Next Steps & Other Business
The Marblehead School Committee gathered in open session on Friday, August 11, 2023, its first public meeting since reaching a resignation agreement with Superintendent John Buckey in early August.
What Went Wrong? Perspectives on the Superintendent Saga
The Marblehead community has endured a contentious process culminating in the resignation of John Buckey as Superintendent of Schools.
Michelle Cresta Named Acting Superintendent
The Marblehead School Committee issued a release at 10:15 a.m. today, August 3, 2023, announcing that Michelle Cresta, current assistant superintendent of operations and finance, will serve as acting superintendent of the Marblehead Public Schools.
School Committee and Superintendent Reach Agreement
The Marblehead Public School Committee and Dr John Buckey have come to an acceptable agreement resulting in his resignation as Superintendent of Schools.
Is Open-Meeting Violation Complaint Against School Committee Valid?
On July 31, 2023, Marblehead resident Cathyann Swindlehurst forwarded to Marblehead Beacon the Open Meeting Law Complaint Form she had filed with the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General.
School Committee Meets Again Today Re: Superintendent
The Marblehead School Committee is scheduled to meet this morning, Monday, July 31, 2023, at 9:30 in executive session for the purpose of conducting “strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel (Superintendent).”
School Committee Member Provides Details on Threatening Balloon Incident
School Committee member Alison Taylor confirmed to Marblehead Beacon that she was the individual targeted in this incident, and that the frightening balloon was discovered by her nine-year-old son.
Surprise Adjournment, School Committee Member Threatened
While spirited and even contentious debate is to be expected during conversations about school staffing changes, a very serious line was crossed earlier this afternoon when the young child of a School Committee member discovered a threatening message left in the yard by the home's back stairway.
School Committee Sought Amicable Resolution with Superintendent Beginning Last Week
As previously reported, the Marblehead School Committee will meet tonight, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom to discuss and vote on what is presented on the agenda as “Superintendent Contract – Early Termination Clause: (vote).”
Will Marblehead Part Ways with Superintendent Buckey? Earlier Events Foreshadowed Current Tensions
As Marblehead Beacon previously reported, the Marblehead School Committee will meet in public session on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 to discuss and vote on the early-termination clause in the superintendent’s contract.
School Committee to Discuss Early Termination Clause in Superintendent Contract
The Marblehead School Committee recently announced a zoom meeting scheduled for this coming Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 7:30 pm. The agenda, posted on the town website, includes a discussion item listed as “Superintendent Contract – Early Termination Clause.”
$12 Fee Increase Per Student Will Fund Freshman Sports
Marblehead School Committee votes four to zero to approve the reinstatement of freshman sports
Ota: Ethics Board Says No Conflict of Interest Resulting From Discrimination Complaint
Former Glover School principal and newly elected School Committee member Brian Ota recently spoke with Marblehead Beacon about the complaint he filed last year with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Superintendent Argues Against Reconsidering Budget Cuts: Don’t “Feed the Narrative That It Was Scare Tactics All Along”
Recent School Committee meeting included deciding on Chair/Vice Chair and financial discussions, including 2-2 vote on restoring funding for freshman sports
The People of Marblehead Have Spoken
An analysis of yesterday's town election, which included some upsets
Election Overview: Quick Takes
Brief snapshots of select competitive races, with representative quotations on key topics gleaned from replies to Marblehead Beacon’s questions (when available) and from other public comments
Superintendent Declines Raise or Contract Extension as Election Looms
Early on during last week's School Committee meeting on June 15, 2023, Marblehead Superintendent John Buckey put to rest recent speculation that a salary increase or contract extension would be on the table this year.
School Committee Perspectives: Parents' Role In Schools
With recent debate both in Marblehead and nationally on the role parents should play in determining school curriculum, Marblehead Beacon asked the candidates for their perspectives.
Rec & Park Perspectives: Town vs. Schools
We asked the six candidates how they view the relationship between the Recreation and Parks Department and the School Department as far as management and upkeep of Marblehead's athletic fields and school grounds.
Electric Light Dept Perspectives: Prioritizing Rates vs. Conservation vs. Maintenance
Marblehead Beacon asked all four of the candidates for Electric Light Department a series of three questions in preparation for the upcoming town election. The third and final question focuses on priorities.
Rec & Park Perspectives: How Should a $2 Million Bequest Be Spent?
Larz Anderson, a long-time resident of Marblehead, bequeathed the town $2 million for winter recreational activities.
Select Board Perspectives: Override This Year And/Or Next?
Several Select Board candidates gave their perspectives on the tax override this year and the likelihood of another override vote next year
Electric Light Dept Perspectives: Is It Feasible and Safe to Transition to All Electric?
Marblehead Beacon asked the four candidates for the Marblehead Municipal Light Department to weigh in on whether on the push to transition to all-electric power
Superintendent Receives Three “Proficients” and Two “Needs Improvements” from School Committee
The Marblehead School Committee met earlier this week to share their evaluations of Superintendent John Buckey’s performance over the past year.
BOH Perspectives: How to Address Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues
Because the Board of Health is responsible for all issues related to public health in our community, we asked the three candidates to weigh in on some of the concerns that seem to have skyrocketed in the wake of the pandemic and are regularly the source of news stories and discussion within our community
School Committee Perspectives: What Happens if Override Doesn't Pass?
Marblehead Beacon asked the School Committee candidates to consider the possible outcomes if the tax increase - Question 1 on the ballot - does not pass
Select Board Perspectives: Time to Revamp Appointment Process?
Question number two for the Select Board revolves around the appointment process
Electric Light Dept Perspectives: Is the Peaker Plant a Good Idea?
Marblehead Beacon asked the four candidates running for seats on the Marblehead Electric Light Department board to weigh in on the Peabody Peaker Plant
Rec & Park Perspectives: Better Beach Management?
With the goal of gaining insight into past problems and potential future solutions at our beaches, Marblehead Beacon reached out to the six candidates running for five open spots on the Recreation and Parks Commission
School Committee Perspectives: Why Aren’t Marblehead’s Students Doing Better?
Marblehead Beacon asked this year’s School Committee candidates to weigh in on Marblehead's performance versus comparable districts.
Select Board Perspectives: Better Governance or Good Enough Already?
Marblehead Beacon's Election 2023 series begins with the Select Board, with six candidates running for five open seats.
Four Candidates Vie for Two Spots on School Committee
With yesterday’s announcement that Karen Tal-Makhluf is withdrawing from the School Committee race, Marbleheaders will have four candidates to consider for two open seats when they head to the ballot box on June 20, 2023.
Pro-transparency Message Dominates Town Meeting’s Final Night
Marbleheaders rallied to attend a third night of Town Meeting on Wednesday, May 3
Override Sent to Ballot, Speakers Heckled, Town Meeting Extended to Third Night
The first night of Town Meeting had addressed Articles 1 through 30 on the Town Warrant, so Tuesday evening started off with Article 31 – a proposal to send an override of Proposition 2 ½ to the ballot on June 20, 2023.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Town Meeting 2023 Part One
Marbleheaders came out in force for Town Meeting last night, filling the Marblehead Veterans Middle School auditorium.
Democracy in Action: Town Meeting Begins Tonight
Marblehead's annual Town Meeting begins tonight at Veterans Middle School auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
Jennifer Lederman
Editor, Reporter
Member for
1 year 8 monthsJenniferL@marbleheadbeacon.com
Jennifer has worked as a professional writer for most of her career, with a particular focus on making complex scientific and business-related concepts accessible to a broad audience of shareholders, customers, and the general public. She has been responsible for developing strategy and writing annual reports and marketing materials for companies including Genzyme Pharmaceuticals, Boston Biomedica, Instrumentation Laboratories, and Cambridge Neuroscience. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree Magna Cum Laude in English from Brown University and subsequently started Word Designs, a communications firm focused primarily on serving the needs of Boston’s biotechnology community. She currently lives in Marblehead with her husband Jonathan and their seven children, where she has been actively involved in local community life.
Yes
Saturday, November 19, 2022 - 15:07
