Welcome to the Marblehead School Committee's monthly newsletter! Our goal is to enhance transparency and keep the community informed about our initiatives. This month, we will provide updates on several sub committees focused on policy development, the budget for the 2025-2026 school year, and efforts to improve communication with the administration, students, families, and the wider community. Thank you for reading!

Jenn Schaeffner Chairperson

The SC is working on the following:

• Focusing on the 2025-26 budget
• Continuing to improve SC Communications
• Reviewing and updating the evaluation process for the superintendent

Due to the MEA contract negotiations and subsequent strike the normal budget cycle was impacted. Mike Pfifferling, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations and the School Committee Bargaining Subcommittee was focused on evaluating each of the financial proposals for the Unit A, Tutors, Paraprofessional, Custodians, and permanent substitutes as they were presented by the District or the MEA.

The Budget Subcommittee (Sarah Fox and Alison Taylor) is working with the District to present the first budget review and schedule the first Budget Workshop in February.

Budget: Sarah Fox and Alison Taylor: See above

Facilities: Chaired by Sarah Fox and Al Williams

At the January 9th School Committee meeting, the Committee voted to place an article in the annual Town Meeting Warrant to return care custody and control of the Coffin School Property to the Town. A vote at the Town Meeting will determine if the transfer will be approved. If approved the Select Board will make a recommendation for the use of the property to Town Meeting.

A reminder, if the Town sells the property, the money from the sale will be put into the Town's general fund and will not go directly to the School Department.

Policy: Alison Taylor and Jenn Schaeffner

The subcommittee met and discussed several items including revising School Committee protocols, review of the Policy Manual to ensure compliance with updated policies.

A timeline for student and community forums to provide input to a draft flag and banner policy was discussed.

Communication: Brian Ota and Al Williams

The subcommittee presented the draft of the Frequently asked questions (FAQ) to the School Committee. The form was discussed and edited and given to Alison Taylor to create the final draft for the School Committee approval. It is expected to be presented at the next meeting for approval.

The subcommittee met with the reporters from the Marblehead Current, Leah Blander and Marblehead Weekly News, Grace Calandrella and MHTV, Jane Goloboy and Jon Caswell to develop communication venues to inform the public on school related issues.

• Began to focus on the 2025-26 budget
• See above for update on Budget Planning
• Improved SC Communications
• See above for a summary of work done
• Approved SC Goals
• Goal achieved with School Committee approving the Committee goals for the new year