School Committee Newsletter Nov. 14

• For reference, here is the district’s 2025-26 School Calendar.
• Watch past school committee meetings on our YouTube channel.
• Find agendas, minutes, and supporting materials on our website.
• We generally meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 6:00 PM; check the town calendar for changes and Zoom links. Meetings are posted at least 48 hours in advance.
• Need to reach us? Attend a meeting! Public comment remains the most effective place to share thoughts and questions. Speakers are allotted up to 3 minutes each. You can also email schoolcommittee@marbleheadschools.org.

• While Superintendent John Robidoux and his team oversee district operations, the Marblehead School Committee focuses on a few core responsibilities. Here’s how these roles differ.
• The Marblehead School Committee is comprised of continuing members Al Williams (Chair) and Jennifer Schaeffner, newly elected members Kate Schmeckpeper (Vice Chair) and Henry Gwazda (Secretary), and Melissa Clucas—who was appointed in September by a joint session of the SC and the Select Board, following Brian Ota’s resignation.
• SC subcommittees provide focused work on key areas of our responsibilities. Member assignments for each subcommittee are outlined in the sections below.
• Liaisons connect the School Committee’s work with key stakeholder groups, including the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO), the Marblehead Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), and the town’s Master Plan process.

Goals and Governance

SC leaders: Al Williams, Kate Schmeckpeper

• SC meeting dates for the year were identified (subject to change).
• A year-long agenda of topics for SC attention was approved.
• SC subcommittee charters and priorities were redefined and approved.
• The Superintendent’s evaluation was delivered, and goals for the remainder of the 2025–26 school year were reviewed at the November 6 SC meeting. A formal vote and public posting here are expected this month.
• SC goals for 2025 were developed using the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Timely). A goals tracker is being created to update the public on our progress throughout the year.

Facilities Subcommittee

SC subcommittee members: Henry Gwazda (Chair), Jennifer Schaeffner

• Extensive Summer Work: Thank you to the facilities staff for carrying out many improvements in our schools over the summer, including HVAC improvements, roof repairs, classroom painting and flooring, new smartboards, auditorium enhancements, playground resurfacing, safety upgrades, kitchen equipment replacements, and routine maintenance.
• MHS Roof Advisory Group: This group was established by the SC in August to provide expert oversight and transparency throughout the MHS roof project. It includes SC member Henry Gwazda, administrators, and community subject-matter experts. The team is currently exploring two bid paths—full membrane and fluid-applied—with solar-ready infrastructure included expects to have an approved contractor by December 1, 2025.
• Eveleth School: The district is exploring an early childhood education center at this site. Assistant Superintendent LisaMarie Ippolito has distributed a needs-assessment survey to families with young children (ages 0-5), which will inform whether to move forward with a feasibility study. A decision on the property is expected by December 31, 2025.

Budget Subcommittee

SC subcommittee members: Jennifer Schaeffner (Chair), Melissa Clucas

• FY25 close-out and reconciliation are complete.
• FY26 review: We review spending each month to ensure it stays on track with the approved budget. In October, we made a few adjustments to balance resources across programs, and the year-end outlook remains stable.
• FY27 planning is underway with a strong focus on clarity, alignment with the town finance team & Select Board, and more regular public reporting.

Policy Subcommittee

SC subcommittee members: Kate Schmeckpeper (Chair), Jennifer Schaeffner

• This subcommittee is reviewing the district’s policy manual and working to bring all policies current, compliant, and accessible to the community, leveraging guidance from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). To date, we’ve reviewed and updated 40 policies, rescinded 3 outdated policies, and approved 1 new policy, with additional review waves planned this year.
• The end goal is an updated, well-organized policy book published online, and the capacity to handle ad-hoc needs each month.
• Highlights include a new policy meeting a DESE requirement on informing middle school students about career and technical school options, and a notable revision to Policy JEB: students who turn 5 by September 1 are now eligible to enroll in kindergarten that year, providing clarity for those with late August and early September birthdays.

Communications & Community Engagement Subcommittee

SC subcommittee members: Henry Gwazda (Chair), Melissa Clucas

• Expect more updates like this one—sent to all members of our school district community and accessible to the community through local newspapers. We are exploring ways to broaden our reach and better engage the community.
• Recognizing that not everyone has time to watch three-hour SC meetings, we are exploring “Instant Recaps” of key decisions and discussions, and other ways to make communication more digestible and interactive.

Monthly Newsletter: Look for our next edition in December

Mark Your Calendar:

• Nov 17 at 1 PM: Budget Subcommittee
• Nov 20 at 11 AM: Policy Subcommittee
• Nov 20 at 6 PM: School Committee
• Dec 2 at 8:30 AM: Facilities Subcommittee
• Dec 2 at 12 PM: Communications Subcommittee
• Dec 15: FY27-FY29 Three-Year Preliminary Revenue/Expense Forecast Presentation with town Finance Director and Finance Committee.
• Jan 28, 2026: State of the Town (Prelim FY’27 Operating Budget and Capital Budget) presented by Town Administrator and Finance Director

Budget Season is underway. The Budget Subcommittee has already held two joint meetings with the Town Finance Committee to review key data requests and ensure alignment as planning begins. More updates to come as the process moves forward.

Have questions or ideas for this newsletter? Email clucas.melissa@marbleheadschools.org or gwazda.henry@marbleheadschools.org, or share your thoughts in public comment at one of our open meetings.