More than 50 questions were submitted by members of the community to be answered by School Committee members at a public forum moderated by the Marblehead League of Women Voters on Wednesday, March 27.
After hosting its own forum just a few weeks ago, the committee agreed to hold another one, giving the community a second platform to have questions answered and concerns raised. The topics raised ranged from the budget and retention of staff to roof leaks and ceiling damage at school buildings.
The forum was moderated by state League of Women Voters Co-President Elizabeth Foster-Nolan. At a previous School Committee meeting, Committee Chair Sarah Fox said that she did not want a Marblehead League of Women Voters member moderating the forum, citing potential conflicts of interest as some Marblehead League members had signed a petition giving the committee a failing grade.
Foster-Nolan said that many of the questions received were either the same or similar, and were condensed to avoid repetition. Committee members did not receive questions ahead of the forum.
The first questions pertained to retention of leadership and the interim superintendent search. One question specifically asked each committee member to list the top two qualities they are looking for in a superintendent.
Al Williams, who was appointed to the committee in February, said that they need to have good communication and teamwork skills and that he “would like to see someone who has a really good strategic background.”
Committee member Brian Ota said he “would look for someone who is quick to think on their feet, because I think a superintendent makes a lot of decisions through the course of a day.” Ota also said he would look for good communication skills.
Fox said that she wants someone with “a leadership style that really values the knowledge of our other administrators, and of our staff, and of our community members right now and is willing to have discussions.”
Committee member Jenn Schaeffner responded that she is looking for a superintendent with “good judgment,” along with experience in personnel management.
For Committee member Alison Taylor, it is important for the candidate to have prior superintendent experience.
The committee’s members were also asked by Foster-Nolan about what strategies are being used to attract, develop, and retain executive leadership in Marblehead Public Schools.
Fox said that one factor that has made it difficult to retain and attract leadership has been the ongoing financial struggles the schools have been facing over the last several years, particularly the strain that they put on administrators.
She also said that the “vitriol” that administrators are “hearing out in the public” has also been difficult for people in leadership positions to deal with.
“A strategy (to retain staff) is to keep advocating for funding and to keep trying to have conversations with the public,” Fox said. “When we get things that seem a little more confrontational to try and dig down to what is the concern, how can we address your concern, is it something that’s actionable or not?”
“Until we get to a place as a community — it’s on all of us to help us get there, where we can debate topics, rather than personalities — it’s going to be hard to retain a leadership team,” Fox added.
Fox also addressed concerns regarding roofing in the schools, specifically a potential issue with mold in the High School building. She said that the district is working to get an industrial hygienist to do additional mold testing at the school. She also noted that the roof for the High School is currently out to bid to be fixed and replaced.