Meet The Candidates, School Committee

The three men running for two available seats on the Marblehead School Committee sounded off on an assortment of issues at a question-and-answer session with local residents hosted by the League of Women Voters Monday evening.

Here is a look at how Thomas F. Connolly, Richard S. Nohelty and Barton K. Hyte handled questions from the league:

Question 1: What priorities would you set for the new superintendent?

 Thomas Connolly: Connolly said he would ask the new superintendent to articulate as clearly and as simply as possible what his vision for education in Marblehead is moving forward. "I would insist that he not use any "educationese" or jargon." Connolly said, adding that he is looking for him to be professional and give local teachers the sense that it is a cooperative effort not a top-down system ruled by declaration.

Richard Nohelty: Nohelty said he would work with the new superintendent to ensure that the system stays within their budget. "We need to improve education we need to look for ways to keep our faculty and staff and develop them," Nohelty said, adding that he wants him to promote a school system that is "fair, ethical and open system-wide."

Barton K. Hyte: Hyte said he hopes the new superintendent, who is coming from Wisconsin, will familiarize himself with the state's general laws regarding the school district. "I believe my skills would be an enhancement to his vision," Hyte said.

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Question 2. Do you support the new Glover School Project?

Richard Nohelty: Nohelty said he completely supports the program as long as the town can find an effective way to do it. "This year’s option to the town is an improved plan with lower costs to the town and there has been a lot of heavy lifting going on this and the town would make a wise decision to vote for it," he said.

Barton Hyte: Hyte said he didn't believe the question had "a yes or no answer" and voiced concern that the town is halfway through the master plan and there are no funds left.

Thomas Connolly: Connolly said he is in favor of the Glover School Project because "anyone who has been there knows that something has to be done." Connolly went on to say that "our community, not just Glover parents or Glover students is well served by a well-maintained school system."

For more information about the candidates, check our story from an .