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Marblehead’s School Committee confronted sharp public criticism Thursday night over a grievance filed by a Veterans Middle School teacher who alleges retaliation and discrimination after speaking publicly about antisemitism, before shifting Drinto a series of votes affecting school finances, enrollment planning and future budget pressures.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence honoring Robert Sanford, a Holocaust survivor who had spoken to Marblehead students following past antisemitic incidents in the schools.
Committee member Jennifer Schaeffner read a tribute recognizing Sanford’s educational work and his family’s commitment to the district.
“His presentations were not merely historical lectures; they were heartfelt conversations that challenged students to reflect on their own responsibilities as citizens and human beings,” Schaeffner said.
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Schaeffner’s statement noted that Sanford’s daughter, Brigitte Karns, serves as an English teacher at Marblehead Veterans Middle School.
Grievance hearing follows public criticism
The grievance involves Karns, who told the committee she served as the school’s sole lead English teacher since 2008 before the position was split in June 2024, approximately one month after she spoke publicly about antisemitic incidents in Marblehead Public Schools. Karns alleges the change affected her stipend and future retirement calculations and constituted discrimination and retaliation. Her attorney indicated a state discrimination complaint could be withdrawn if the grievance were resolved favorably.
Superintendent of Schools John Robidoux said he found nothing compelling to indicate antisemitism motivated the decision and said splitting stipends has been past district practice.
Before the grievance hearing began, the committee voted 3-1 to enter executive session to consult legal counsel on whether the grievance should be heard in open session or executive session, with committee member Jennifer Schaeffner opposed. The committee returned to open session and voted unanimously to proceed with the grievance hearing publicly.
The grievance discussion followed a public comment period that included criticism from resident Sarah Fox, who accused the committee of retaliating against a teacher who spoke out against antisemitism and argued that the teachers’ contract does not allow for split lead teacher stipends. The committee did not respond during public comment, consistent with policy.
Karns‘ attorney, Yael Magen, said they would seek arbitration should the School Committee vote against her grievance.
Financial update shows $3.12 million unexpended balance
Robidoux summarized a written financial report prepared by Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Michael Pfifferling.
As of the end of December, the district reported an unexpended and unencumbered balance of $3,123,627, which is $148,560 lower than the previous month. A placeholder line of -$227,764 remains to be distributed across salary lines once budget adjustments are finalized in the district’s Munis financial system.
The report also noted that special education circuit breaker lines are temporarily over-encumbered by $272,438 and will be corrected by moving purchase orders to the appropriate tuition and transportation lines. After those adjustments, the available balance is expected to be about $2.85 million.
The district processed its first payroll through the Munis system Jan. 15 and encountered a technical issue related to federal tax tables that affected withholding calculations. Robidoux said staff were working with the vendor to correct the issue.
Robidoux tied the financial update to broader budget pressure, noting the town has directed the district to build a level-funded school budget for the coming fiscal year. He warned that maintaining current funding levels amid rising contractual costs could lead to staffing reductions and program efficiencies that may affect classrooms.
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User fees and tuition proposed to rise about 3%
The committee voted 3-1 to approve a proposed schedule of user fee and tuition increases for the 2026-27 school year, with Schaeffner opposed. The increases generally reflect a rise of about 3% across several categories.
Under the proposal presented by Robidoux and Pfifferling, high school athletic user fees for a first season would rise from $540 to $555, while second-season fees would rise from $490 to $505 and third-season fees from $430 to $445. Middle school first-season fees would rise from $260 to $272, with similar increases applied to subsequent seasons. The annual maximum user fee would increase from $2,060 to $2,125.
Transportation fees for students living less than 2 mi from school would rise from $250 to $260.
Tuition-based programs, including half-day and full-day kindergarten and prekindergarten, would also increase under the proposal. Pfifferling said families who qualify through federal income eligibility standards may receive full or partial tuition reductions, depending on program eligibility and certification status.
Pfifferling said the district has also identified inconsistencies in how some user fees have been applied and collected and plans to tighten enforcement and tracking.
Schaeffner raised concerns about affordability, noting that kindergarten is free in many communities and that Marblehead’s fees are already high. She said she was concerned the increases could place additional burden on families and function as a way to close budget gaps.
Other members cited regional comparisons and the relatively modest percentage increase.
Essex Tech lottery could affect enrollment and school funding
Robidoux briefed the committee on changes to admissions at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, which is transitioning to a state-mandated lottery system rather than selective admissions.
Under a draft allocation model, each sending community receives a minimum number of seats based on a three-year enrollment average. Marblehead’s draft minimum is 10 seats. Marblehead currently has about 35 students attending Essex Tech.
Robidoux said an alternative proposal under discussion would allocate seats proportionally based on district enrollment, which could increase Marblehead’s minimum allocation into the low-30s. Larger sending districts have advocated for proportional allocation, while smaller districts have raised concerns.
Because Chapter 70 education aid follows students to vocational schools, an increase in Essex Tech enrollment could reduce funding retained by Marblehead Public Schools. Robidoux said he favors the three-year average model and said the proportional approach would disproportionately affect smaller districts.
Discussions with Essex Tech leadership and other sending districts are ongoing, and no final decision has been made.
Committee approves Town Meeting warrant articles for revolving funds
The committee unanimously approved placing a series of warrant articles on the annual town meeting warrant to reauthorize multiple revolving funds for fiscal year 2027.
Approved reauthorizations included funds for special education, transportation, athletic user fees, high school activity fees, middle school activity fees, village school activity fees, general education tuition, kindergarten and prekindergarten programs, athletics, special education circuit breaker reimbursements and facility rentals.
The committee also approved placeholder warrant articles related to potential school building capital needs, school building technology needs and a possible supplemental appropriation. A fourth proposed placeholder for school department capital needs was tabled after committee discussion about its necessity. Specific purposes and dollar amounts for the placeholder articles would be determined later or indefinitely postponed if not needed.
Each warrant article was read individually and approved by unanimous vote.
