'Thought Exchange' To Help Shape Marblehead School Budget

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Ongoing efforts to shape the Marblehead Public Schools budget in a way that draws greater interaction and support this year includes a "Thought Exchange" designed to increase engagement on the priorities for next year and beyond.

The School Committee and Superintendent John Buckey earlier this fall discussed initiatives that they hope will draw more of the community into the process and create a better understanding for funding needs.

This came after last year's attempt at a $3 million permanent tax override for a supplemental budget gained Finance Committee and town meeting member support, but was resoundingly defeated in a town-wide vote in June.

"As we begin to plan the FY24 budget, we want to hear what is important to you and what we should prioritize across MPS," Bucket said on a message to the community. "Some areas to consider are technology, special education, curriculum and our Planning for Success focus areas.

"If you have any other thoughts or topics that are important to you, please share those as well."

Families, stakeholders and others concerned with the future of Marblehead Schools are invited to give their input via the Exchange here through Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.

The Thought Exchange follows and virtual public meeting on education priorities held in November in which participants proposed a longer school day, better pay for paraprofessional and support staff, new textbooks and curriculum and changes to special education, among other ideas.

"Our teachers, our staff, is the best asset we have for our students," Fox said at November's online public meeting. "All these surveys we've done, all this feedback, all we continually hear is, quite frankly, what a godsend our staff is — all of our educators — they just are. We want to pay them. We want to do this."

The Thought Exchange is confidential. Buckey said that while input will be shared with other participants, the identity of those providing the information will not be.

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