Get To Know Marblehead Interim Superintendent Finalist John Robidoux

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Swansea Public Schools Superintendent John Robidoux, the lone finalist candidate to become the Marblehead interim superintendent for the 2024-25 school year, was in town to tour the facilities and meet with staff, students and stakeholders on Monday as the search to fill the position appears headed for a conclusion.

The Marblehead School Committee will meet Thursday night to discuss the in-district visit, reference checks, feedback from the community and any other thoughts or concerns about the position before a potential vote on offering Robidoux the position.

During his public interview with the School Committee last month, Robidoux stressed his willingness to support staff, make tough decisions and his "open-door policiy" when it comes to questions and criticisms about the schools and their policies.

"We are in the business of children," Robidoux told the School Committee. "We are not in the business of making everyone happy. Sometimes, I have to make decisions that are not always popular. I am fine with that.

"If it's a wrong decision, I take accountability for that."

Robidoux has served as the superintendent of Swansea Public Schools since 2016 and has worked in that district since 2006. He told the School Committee in that town in the fall he would not seek a new contract when his contract expired at the end of this current school year.

"I have a lot left to give," Robidoux told the Committee. "I have a lot of years before I retire."

Asked about the immense leadership turnover in Marblehead over the course of the last year, Robidoux said that could be viewed as a positive in that those new administrators will be looking to his leadership early on in the new school year.

"I am really well-versed in that type of leadership," he said. "I really tend to lead from the middle than having a top-down approach. Gathering input and feedback, and developing a dialogue, is very important for me."

He said that input includes from teacher unions, who he said were an active part of budget discussions during his time in Swansea. This comes as the School Committee negotiating subcommittee and the Marblehead Education Association continue to butt heads on everything from specific contract proposals to negotiating session schedules and decorum with a contract set to expire this summer.

"They know that I have their backs," said Robidoux of his Swansea staff. "They know I'm supportive."

As Marblehead has looked a tight budgets and perennial cuts following two failed overrides in recent years, Robidoux said he is used to being "in a town that doesn't like to spend money on things," but acknowledged some of the constraints requested in Marblehead were especially difficult.

"Where you are sitting in the state rankings is impressive to me given the challenges you've had," he said, crediting Marblehead staff for maintaining that high level of learning amid those challenges.

A former restaurant owner with a special education background in the classroom, he said he "doesn't get rattled" or "frazzled" and spoke about a severe weather emergency he was able to navigate with his staff through lines of communication and quick decisions.

He added that his time in the district would be spent more moving throughout the district and less hunkering down in a central office.

"I really like to engage with students and staff," he said. "Relationship building helps you see what's really happening.

"If you are looking for someone who is going to sit in an office behind a desk all day I'm not your guy."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)