New Superintendent of Marblehead Schools Seeks a Group Effort

A mantra moving forward in Marblehead schools is: "All together, now."

New Superintendent Maryann Perry introduced the philosophy to math curriculum last year as assistant superintendent with regular meetings and workshops for teachers from various Marblehead grades.

The interaction familiarized teachers with each other and their lessons — not just the math being taught to students in classes a grade lower and above them but in K-12.

The curriculum alignment is called vertical learning and will continue in math this year and extend to language arts, said Perry.

Perry, who grew up in Worcester, has perspective on the K-12 landscape.
She started her career in education in the early 1980s and has worked as a teacher and an administrator.

She has been a preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, special needs coordinator, English language arts coordinator, a deputy superintendent — in Leominster in 2007 — then an assistant superintendent last year in Marblehead before being hired as superintendent this year.

She has come to the position following a tumultuous time in the Marblehead district. Divisions appeared last year between the School Committee and then Superintendent Greg Maas.

In March, Maas tendered his resignation, effective June 30, 2013, saying he had expected a collaborative, team relationship with the committee but it had become something other than that, a somewhat fractured environment.

School committee members have resigned as well, to give the district a fresh start, most recently Dick Nohelty, who will step down Aug. 15.

Perry said she and School Committee members had a fruitful meeting last week with Michael Gilbert of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.
Four more meetings are planned through the coming school year.

Last week's meeting looked at ways to improve communication between the committee and administration, what the committee's role is, proper procedures and what makes for a great school committee.

For her part, Perry said history provides a guide but she is focused on moving forward.

She is grateful for her new job and there are reasons for optimism.

The Village School moves into its second year with Principal Theresa McGuinness Darby

Layne Millington, an experienced high school principal, is the new principal at Marblehead High.

It's a new school year and the doors will open soon.

When they open the superintendent wants them to open upon a team approach to learning that results in better schools and student achievement.