To the editor:
Well, the countdown has begun. 12 days and counting for the Marblehead School Committee Public Forum, hosted by the LWV.
The last few days, I have received texts and emails asking me to wear red to the meeting. Can you call your senior citizen friends to convince them the teachers need support? The schools need more monies to keep or fully fund all schools in Marblehead.
I get to see both sides of this issue. One, I am a senior citizen and two, I am the mother/grandmother of a fifth grader. I have always supported teachers. My brother was a dean of students in California, his daughter a teacher in Chicago and Boston. My nephew worked with autistic children. My godson and his wife are teachers and I was a permanent sub in Lynn. I have many friends that are/were teachers. I have supplied many teachers’ classrooms over the years. I have lost count how many.
Bless those educators and staff. We drop of our most precious gifts at school each day knowing they will do their absolute BEST to teach and keep our children safe. I have been saying for years that parents have to be more involved concerning the behaviors of their children.
Our town has gone through chaos this year and I don’t see a solution in the near future unless EVERYONE sits down at the table and listen.
I suggested to add the town administrator and or selectmen/selectwomen to join the committee at the forum.
I get that selling one of the properties will be a one-and-done deal. You speak about possibly needing another school if our student count goes up. The way we are heading, that won’t be a problem. You have to start somewhere. Sit down and make a deal, that those monies will go to the school department and earmark those funds in writing.
The members of this community want to trust our elected officials, they don’t! Possibly asking for a one-year override might pass and give everyone time to sit down and work on a long term solution. Dr. John Buckey sounded the alarm last year and the override did not pass.
The stakeholders have seen their taxes skyrocketed last year and again this year. As a senior citizen that concerns me, can I afford to live here? As a parent of a young child, I see the need for a permanent override.
We see the cuts of teachers coming down the road. We see the lack of services in our schools. We see the increase of kindergarten and sports fees. We hear and see the inappropriate behaviors of children in and out of our schools.
Parents this is your call to action. Knock on doors in your neighborhoods. Vast majority of stakeholders in town are older than the age of 55.
I will be wearing red on March 27. I support teachers, no question about it. This committee has to convince this town to trust them.
Something is better than nothing in going for a one year override.
Happy Ramadan, Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Happy Easter, and next month Happy Passover!
Peace and goodwill to all.
Mary McCarristan