'A Clear Stand By Electing New Voices': Marblehead School Committee Shakeup In Annual Town Election

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The Marblehead Education Association proclaimed that "the voters responded" to an "honest, courageous conversation" about what the town's public schools need in an overwhelming upheaval on the School Committee during the annual town election.

Eight months after a bitter contract negotiation led to one of the longest teachers' strikes in state history, incumbents Sarah Fox and Alison Taylor were defeated in their respective re-election bids, with challengers Kate Schmeckpeper and Henry Gwazda receiving more than four times as many votes as the incumbents.

"We spoke out about the lack of leadership and transparency on the School Committee," the MEA said Tuesday night. "We stood together to demand better for our students, staff, and schools.

"And today, the voters responded."

Nearly 40 percent of the town's registered voters cast a ballot in this year's election that also saw Jim Zisson elected to the Select Board, Robin Michaud survive a two-person challenge as town clerk and the passage of ballot questions requiring tax overrides to repair the roof and HVAC system at the high school and the roof, HVAC and ADA accessibility of the Mary Alley Building.

This marks the second straight town election in which incumbent School Committee members went down to substantial defeat.

"With the election results now in, the community has taken a clear stand by electing new voices to the School Committee," the MEA said. "This is more than a shift in representation. It is a step forward in restoring trust, respect, and responsible leadership in our schools.

"Thank you to everyone who voted, spoke up, and stood with us. In Marblehead, educators are leading the way for meaningful change in our schools and our community."

(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.)