School Committee Candidates Tackle Issues

The three candidates running for two available seats let a small crowd of residents know where they stood on a host of issues Monday night, including the system's budget, technology in the classroom and the introduction of bilingual education to local middle school students.

Incumbent Dick Nohelty is running for re-election and Barton Hyte and Tom Connolly are running for a seat left vacant by Patricia Blackmer, who is leaving the post after six years on the committee.

After each candidate gave a brief introduction of who they were and what it was they felt would make them an asset to the committee, each gave their answers to a series of prearranged questions.

Here is a break-down of the candidate's answers:

1. What is your position on implementing a foreign language program into earlier grades? If you support it, what is the time frame?

Barton Hyte: Hyte said he felt learning a foreign language is a very important tool and that he would want to implement it as soon as possible. "To be able to speak another language is more than an art, it is a gift, and we should be able to give it to them at a young age."

Tom Connolly: Connolly said he believed studying a foreign language is important because it augments all other aspects of learning. Connolly also said he felt the program should be introduced in such a way that the change would be fluid all the way from middle school to the high school.

Dick Nohelty: Nohelty said he has spoke in favor of instituting a foreign language program that would begin as early as the fourth grade. Although an effort to introduce one this year was halted by committee members, Nohelty said that was done as a way of making sure it is implemented the right way.

2. Do you think have PTOs be responsible for fundraising to purchase technology for the schools is a long-term viable plan? What is your plan to bring updated technology into the schools, specifically the funding, purchasing, maintenance and timing so that Marblehead can compete with other Massachusetts school districts?

Tom Connolly: Connolly said he didn't think relying on outside sources for school expenses was a viable option but admitted that during tough economic times it is often necessary. He also voiced concern about the wording of the question. "I wish we'd get away from this mindset that we have that education is a competition," he said. Adding that in his teaching career he has found that "laptops on every lap doesn't mean success."

Dick Nohelty: Nohelty said he is greatly appreciative of the help that the PTO has provided the committee during his tenure. He also said the focus has been on using technology in the classroom as a way of making local teachers more efficient while streamlining processes overseen by administrators.

Barton Hyte: Hyte said he has experience when it comes to pricing and liquidating technological items for large corporations and he doesn't support providing laptops to local public school students. Hyte said he would like to to look into implementing a technology renewal program, where 25 percent of the systems in local schools would be replaced on an annual basis.

3. We have built and renovated several schools and are halfway through the master plan for the school buildings in Marblehead, what is your position on funding capital improvements and maintenance of the new and renovated buildings going forward?

Dick Nohelty: Nohelty said he felt it was imperative that committee members complete their 1999 master plan. Nohelty went on to say that he felt now is the time for town residents to move forward with the Glover School reconstruction project.

Barton Hyte: According to Hyte, all of the money that the committee had put aside for the 1999 master plan has already been spent. Hyte went on to question whether or not a repointing project on Village School should be listed as costing $600,000, when he estimates it could be done for as little as $300,000. "It is my belief that you really need to understand what are you are approving. You need to get an in-depth understanding of what is being allocated and know what is being spent," he said.

Tom Connolly: Connolly agreed that residents deserve to have all of the schools' expenses explained clearly and accurately before project are undertaken. He went on to say that he felt committee members could do a better job of explaining exactly what the workers are doing. "We need to be clearer about where the money is going," he said.

4. We have had a level funded budget for the last five years, except for the single biggest cost: contract labor, which continues to receive annual increases. How will the School Committee manage the school system expenses within this budget reality?

Tom Connolly:  Connolly felt the description of teachers as contract labor made them seem like "cogs in an industrial model," which he said would be belittling "the noblest profession that there is." Connolly said he would look to cut administrative positions before teachers and would look to put teachers' contracts on the school website to ensure the system operates as transparently as possible.

Dick Nohelty: Nohelty said it always hurts committee members when they have to cut any positions or programs. "How do we manage all of this moving forward?" Nohelty asked, before answering: “With great difficulty and care.”

Barton Hyte: Hyte said he would look to control administrative costs and said he was confident that the new superintendent will maintain a high ethical standard.

5. What are the goals and expectations for the incoming Superintendent Dr. Greg Maas? How will the School Committee hold him accountable to these goals?

Barton Hyte: Hyte said when he spoke to Maas he was left with the impression that he was a very magnanimous, high-energy man. "I hope we get 50 percent of what he said he will do because that will mean we will get a home run," Hyte said. He also committed to adhering to all state laws, including one that says School Committee members are responsible for hiring and firing superintendents.

Tom Connolly: Connolly said the best way to hold Maas accountable is to ask parents how happy they are with his performance and find out from students whether or not his approach is working well. He also said a good way to meausre Maas' success would be to ask teachers if he has improved their "on-the-job satisfaction."

Dick Nohelty: Nohelty said simply, "we expect him to come in and do everything he promised." He went on to say that he hopes Maas can help continue Marblehead's recent academic success. "We have an expectation now that we have to have a school system that ranks really high in a state that ranks really high in the country," Nohelty said.