Marblehead Schools Antisemitism Investigation, Task Force Updates

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Superintendent John Robidoux said the summer break, teachers' strike and influence of lawyers have delayed the third-party investigation into claims of antisemitism within the district but that he expects a report on the merits of charges and countercharges from last school year among staff and administrators to be forthcoming.

He also told the School Committee on Thursday that a proposed Antisemitism Task Force — which he labeled more of an Anti-discrimination Committee with an initial focus on antisemitism — is coming together and should be in place soon.

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"It's still transpiring," he said of the investigation. "It's been a bit longer than we've all anticipated due to several factors. One was that we really couldn't start the investigation until school started because there were a lot of staff members who were involved. So that backed us up a little bit because it couldn't start until September.

"There were many attorneys that got involved in the discussion. Anytime there are attorneys involved it delays the process a little bit. Then, obviously, with the strike it delayed some things a little bit."

Robidoux said he has been in touch with the investigator and that interviews are being conducted.

"I am hoping to have a report shortly and can update the Committee when that's done," he said.

The investigation was launched after former Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness issued a condemnation last spring 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 district has attempted, as is our obligation, to investigate these claims internally," McGuinness said at the time. "Unfortunately, the allegations made by the persons involved have escalated to the point that these investigators themselves cannot proceed without being subjected to accusations of having a conflict."

Several teachers and parents spoke during the emotional public comment at the June 20 School Committee meeting and referenced what they indicated was a pattern of antisemitic behavior among some students and staff at the high school. However, one teacher specifically accused of the behavior during a webinar earlier that month refuted the claims and said they were fabricated.

Speakers on both sides of the issue also expressed frustration with the school administration and human resource department's handling of previous claims and internal investigations into those claims.

Robidoux added that the initial focus of the Anti-discrimination Committee will be "of course, on antisemitism, the need for extra attention on establishing ways to combat discrimination, specifically antisemitism and anti-racist behavior, and an ongoing review of the curriculum proactively rather than reactively."

He said the committee will be comprised of administrators, teachers, parents and students.

"I envision the committee being fluid in order to identify discrimination in its many forms," Robidoux said. "Again, the initial focus will be combating antisemitism, which is very important for us in Marblehead."

He said he hopes the committee will bring forth "rich and vibrant discussions" and will be in place by the end of January.

(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.)