Will Dowd

In #Marblehead, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by lobster boat to a sea of happy children. This morning, I joined the pair on their journey from the MHD Lobster Company to State Street Landing. A girl named Gabby stole the show. She couldn’t stop hugging Santa. her joy lit up the chilly morning.

Reclaiming the 9/11 dead The arduous process of identifying the remains of 9/11 victims has been going on for almost a quarter of a century and continues today, honoring the nation's promise to "never forget."

60 Minutes Overtime: Reclaiming the 9/11 dead

www.cbsnews.com/news/reclaim...

“Everyone talks about peace but no one educates for peace. In this world, they educate for competition, and competition is the beginning of any war. When educating to cooperate and owe each other solidarity, that day we will be educating for peace.”

Maria Montessori

#Marblehead faces major financial decisions as officials signal spring tax override likely. Town already looking at $1.5M in fixed cost increases for FY26, including $1M in health insurance and $500K pension obligations. marbleheadcurrent.org/2024/11/15/p...

Town leaders: Teachers’ proposal would add $926 to tax bill for average-priced home - Marblehead Current The union’s proposal to settle the teachers strike would require roughly $7.1 million in extra revenue over four years, according to Finance Committee Chair Alec Goolsby. An override to cover that amo...

#Marblehead tax impact revealed: Teachers' proposal would add $926 to annual bill on average $1.2M home. School Committee's offer would add $300. marbleheadcurrent.org/2024/11/17/t... #mapoli

LGBTQ rally in #SalemMA

Today the MA Coastal Communities Alliance took our first site visit - to Marblehead to learn about the Shipyard Resiliency Projects. Thanks to the members who attended, the Town of Marblehead team for welcoming us, and Salem Sound Coastwatch for sharing the details.

salemsound.org/wp-content/u...

The teachers union proposal:
- 23% increase over 4 years
- wld make some MHD teachers highest paid in area
- Town Admin Kezer: "We don't have the means to be number one"
- warns union's proposal would:
- Create $7.5M deficit
- Require major override vote
- If override fails = ~75 staff cut

Let's break down the money situation (THREAD):
- #Marblehead School Committee offers average teacher salary ~$100k
- Top salary would reach $109k
- Two-thirds of teachers would reach top salary
- Sides remain $4-5M apart

7/ When asked about the 1,100+ signature no-confidence petition, School Committee Chair Jenn Schaeffner responded simply: "Folks here are frustrated. They want our students back in school.

6/What’s next? State labor officials have stepped in to resolve the impasse, but trust in the School Committee is at an all-

5/ Transparency is a major concern. Parent Eyal Oren asked for more open communication, only to receive a private meeting offer. “I want this shared with the community,” he said, rejecting the one-on-one.

4/ Interim Superintendent John Robidoux banned all sports and activities during the strike, later reversing the decision—but union-member coaches remain barred. Parents say students are being penalized unnecessarily.

3/ Former superintendent Phil Devaux called the current School Committee “the most incompetent” he’s ever seen, citing poor handling of athletics and extracurriculars during the strike.

2/ The petition states: “We have lost faith in this committee’s ability to govern the district responsibly and with integrity.” Residents accuse the committee of prioritizing drama and legal fees over teacher salaries.

1/ the teachers’ strike in #Marblehead left 2,600 students out of class for a week. Now, over 1,100 residents have signed a “vote of no confidence” petition against the School Committee.

Teacher negotiations head into weekend with no signs of progress - Marblehead Current As of Friday at 9:15 p.m., the Marblehead teachers union and School Committee’s bargaining subcommittee were still at the high school working with the state’s top labor mediator … and reporting no pro...

Teacher negotiations in #Marblehead head into the weekend with no progress despite state mediation efforts. Both sides remain at an impasse, with a $4-5M gap separating their proposals. shorturl.at/AKa3e

The best podcasts of 2024, as picked by The Economist
www.economist.com/culture/2024...
from The Economist

PHOTO GALLERY: Scenes from the Marblehead teachers strike - Marblehead Current A collection of images captured by the Marblehead Current's photographers of the town's teachers strike. Stay tuned to the Current for continuing coverage of the strike as it concludes its first week.

A collection of images captured by the Marblehead Current’s photographers of the town’s teachers strike. Stay tuned to the Current for continuing coverage of the strike as it concludes its first week. tinyurl.com/ytxh3nee

Lovely evening supporting Kris Olson @krisolson.bsky.social, center, as he “spreads the gospel” about nonprofit journalism with John Muldoon (blue button up) and @dankennedy-nu.bsky.social , far right. I cannot believe we hit 100 MHD Current issues next week!