The following was submitted to the Marblehead Independent by School Committee member Henry Gwazda.

Remembering Owen Coyne

The Oct. 15 meeting began with a moment of silence to remember Owen Coyne, a member of the class of 2027, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. Owen was an excellent student, a gifted athlete and, above all else, an incredible person. The tributes from Owen’s family and friends convey his depth of character and the breadth of his impact on our community far more than a school committee statement can and we encourage everyone to seek those out and to learn more about Owen. As Owen’s track and field coach Nolan Raimo so aptly put it, “He is the best of us.”

And Owen’s tragic passing has brought out the best in us. Over the past few weeks, our Marblehead students and staff, the broader Marblehead community, and many of our neighboring communities have shown remarkable support to Owen’s family and friends. We have taken care of one another, and we know our community will continue to do so in the weeks and months to come. Owen, his family, his friends, his teammates, his classmates, his teachers, his coaches, and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him are in the thoughts and hearts of our committee and our administration.

After the override: Where things stand

Voters approved a $15 million, three-year operating override in May, giving Marblehead’s schools and town a more predictable financial path after a difficult budget season. We are grateful to residents who participated in the discussion and made their voices heard. It is important to be clear about what the vote did and did not do for the schools. The FY27 school budget still required significant reductions, including staff positions. But passage of the override helped prevent a much deeper round of cuts in subsequent years. The funding was tied to identified needs across town and school services, not simply additional discretionary spending. It provides a more stable foundation for future budgets while preserving services that otherwise faced further reductions.

The committee’s work now shifts from making the case for funding to showing how that funding is managed. Town leaders plan a first joint financial review during the week of Oct. 19, under the agreement signed by town and school leaders. The meeting is not public, but a Select Board summary is expected Oct. 28. We will continue to report on the district’s financial position, the assumptions behind future budgets and the results residents should expect from this investment.

Student services: Clearer pathways for students

At the Sept. 17 meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services LisaMarie Ippolito presented the district’s approach to special education programming. The work centers on making program descriptions, entry criteria, and student supports more consistent across the district, while keeping decisions tied to each student’s individual needs.

The presentation outlined four specialized program pathways: language-based learning disabilities, academic skills, applied behavior analysis/life skills, and therapeutic services. Each pathway is designed around a defined student profile and instructional model, with appropriate specialized staff and related services. The district also described the importance of flexible inclusion, family communication, staff development, and using data to evaluate progress. For families, the goal is a clearer understanding of available services and how students are supported as they move through school.

You can watch the presentation here on our YouTube page.

Student safety and well-being

At the Sept. 17 School Committee meeting, Superintendent John Robidoux discussed the work of the district’s health and wellness and safety committees. Topics included student mental health and substance-use data, e-bike safety, fire drills, evacuation procedures, and building safety practices. The district also discussed the use of a student wellness survey to better understand areas of need and guide future supports.

The update included changes to school health procedures, including access to naloxone (Narcan) in nurses’ offices. These are part of an ongoing effort to review prevention, preparedness, and response, rather than waiting for a single incident to prompt action. The committee will continue to hear updates as this work develops.

You can watch the superintendent’s update on health and wellness here.

Quick highlights

Cellphone expectations

The district has clarified and is monitoring its existing cellphone expectations. In grades K-8, phones must remain off and away during the school day. At Marblehead High School, phones are kept out of use during instruction, with classroom phone caddies; students may use them between classes and at lunch. Administrators will continue evaluating how the rules are working, including their application to other connected devices. No districtwide all-day high school ban has been adopted.

New director of finance

At its Sept. 17 meeting, the School Committee voted to appoint Kristen Morello, previously assistant business manager, as director of finance, subject to contract negotiations. The district is separating finance leadership from facilities oversight as Assistant Superintendent Mike Pfifferling prepares to depart. We thank Mike for his fantastic work and welcome Kristen’s experience and continuity in this important role.

High school and Veterans School roof projects

Major roof work at Marblehead High School and Veterans School has made substantial progress. Following a recent nor’easter, contractors identified several small leaks in the new high school roof and very limited water intrusion at Veterans. The issues have been investigated, and corrective work is underway, including attention to drains, flashing, and roof penetrations. The high school project remains on track for substantial completion around the end of October, with final HVAC and other finishing work continuing. Thank you to the Roof Subcommittee and district facilities staff for their close oversight of this important work.

Eveleth School: Discussion ahead

The Facilities Subcommittee has recommended that the district consider returning the former Eveleth School property to the town. The full School Committee has not made a final decision and will consider the district’s future space needs and the appropriate next steps. Any transfer would require additional public action, including Town Meeting approval.

Thank you to our community donors

The committee extends its thanks to the organizations that have supported Marblehead students since July, including the Rotary Club of Marblehead, whose $15,385 gift supports social-emotional learning at Brown and Glover; Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools, for grants totaling $93,000; and the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, whose $5,946.02 donation through the Massachusetts Marine Trades Educational Trust will support the district’s Marine Service Program.

These gifts enrich students’ experience and demonstrate the value of community support for public education. Thank you to every volunteer, donor, and organization that contributes time, resources, and care to our schools.

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Have questions or ideas for this newsletter?

Email gwazda.henry@marbleheadschools.org or clucas.melissa@marbleheadschools.org, or share your thoughts in public comment at one of our open meetings.