Marblehead School Antisemitic Claims 'Could Not Be Corroborated': Investigation Finds

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A third-party investigation into claims of antisemitic statements and a violation of the district conduct policy among Marblehead school personnel, and the internal grievance process and probe of the claims within the district, found that most of the claims could not be corroborated by a preponderance of evidence in a report released on Wednesday.

The report said the findings did not necessarily mean that the person making the claims was being deceptive in doing so, but that they could not be substantiated following interviews with 26 individuals who were said to either have witnessed the antisemitic actions or were told about them. Three people declined interviews or did not respond to interview requests.

The report criticized the handling of the grievance process in finding that it violated the grievance procedure and staff conduct policy by conducting an investigation in 2023 that "fell short of being neutral, thorough, fair and accurate."

"It was never intended to be an investigation into whether all of Marblehead Public Schools were antisemitic," Superintendent John Robidoux told the School Committee on Thursday night. "It was looking at specific allegations against personnel. So, realistically, this whole report is a personnel investigation. I know that's why people are frustrated because we don't have all the information (included the report). You can't have all the information because it's personnel."

Months of accusations of antisemitic actions among Marblehead High School staff and within the schools, denials of those actions and vehement character defenses of those accused, criticisms of the role of social media in exacerbating the conflicts, and the past administration's response to the growing rift between school employees culminated in an emotional School Committee meeting last June.

• Marblehead Antisemitic Accusations, Denials Spur Investigation Call

That meeting came one week after former Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness issued a condemnation of racism, antisemitism and discrimination amid what she called "a rapidly intensifying dispute among groups of school employees" that she said has led to several formal harassment complaints within the district.

There appeared to be near-universal support for a third-party investigation into the accusations, both from those urging the district to get to the bottom of any antisemitic behaviors and those seeking vindication from accusations of antisemitism.

The report released this week concluded that there was insufficient evidence that any party was subjected to discrimination or harassment, including antisemitism; insufficient evidence that district personnel retaliated against parties who raised concerns about discrimination and antisemitism; insufficient evidence that district administrators ignored or were indifferent to claims of antisemitism; insufficient evidence that district administrators favored Israel over other nations; insufficient evidence that district personnel held parties responsible for the actions of the state of Israel; or that district administrators interfered with the parties' right to free expression.

"So most of the allegations did not rise to the level of the preponderance-of-evidence standard," Robidoux said of the report findings before adding, "It does not mean that there is no antisemitism present (in the district) but that in these specific personnel issues and allegations that were reported they didn't rise to the level of the preponderance-of-evidence standard."

Robidoux said that the new administrative team has recognized the need to be focused on the school and district culture, managing personnel issues in a more pointed, timely and appropriate manner and identifying ways to enhance professional development, communication and collaboration in all areas.

He cited the establishment of the Anti-Discrimination Committee, changes to the human resources department, and steps taken to improve the welcoming process of new students and staff as steps taken to improve the school climate.

"All these items were in motion well before the report was finished as it was evident that many things needed to be addressed in a different manner and viewed with a new lens," Robidoux said, "so we can move forward together as an educational community where we celebrate diversity, ensure that everyone has a voice and there is a culture of acceptance and belonging for all."

(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.)