Surprise Adjournment, School Committee Member Threatened

Controversy erupted quickly when the Marblehead School Committee posted an agenda this past Monday, July 24, 2023, referencing plans to discuss and vote on “Superintendent Contract – Early Termination Clause: (vote).”

Marblehead Beacon has provided several articles referencing various aspects of the ongoing discussion about Superintendent John Buckey's contract and future role in the Marblehead public schools, available here, here, and here. 

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. A balloon, tied to the railing, depicted a clown face with what appeared to be blood on it. Marblehead police were contacted, and they are patrolling the homes of all School Committee members. Marblehead Beacon will post additional news as it becomes available. 

At 7:30 p.m., with 231 people in attendance, Chair Sarah Fox called tonight's School Committee meeting to order. She read a short statement, saying "We are no longer going forward with the meeting tonight due to last minute communication between counsel. I have been advised to adjourn the meeting." 

The Zoom call was abruptly ended at 7:31 p.m. 

Marblehead Beacon spoke with Fox immediately after the meeting adjourned.  Asked when she had learned of the change, Fox replied that she had heard from counsel several minutes before the meeting was scheduled to begin. Further discussion with the School Committee's attorney will take place in executive session, with the time to be publicly posted tomorrow morning. Per Massachusetts law, meetings must be posted at least 48 hours in advance.