Marblehead school board candidates address bullying, lead teachers

MARBLEHEAD – School Committee incumbent Jonathan Lederman and challengers Jennifer Schaeffner and Kathy Leonardson agreed on the schools’ need to crack down on bullying outside of school Monday night when they faced audience questions at a candidates’ night sponsored by the League of Women Voters.They are seeking two available School Committee seats in the May 10 town election.Lederman, who runs his own technology firm, said that bullying outside the classroom needs to be addressed “to the extent that (it) affects a student’s ability to learn inside the classroom.”Leonardson, a Finance Committee member and longtime League volunteer, agreed. “Bullying has been a problem for years and now with Facebook and Twitter it has amped up considerably,” she said.Schaeffner, a special education parent leader and financial services professional, redefined the issue as “social cruelty” and said work is underway to implement classes on that subject.Discussing the schools’ new reliance on lead teachers versus curriculum directors, Lederman pointed out that curriculum directors evaluate the work of new teachers on their three-year path to tenure, a process he called “critically essential.”Schaeffner and Leonardson both called for the use of curriculum directors where needed.Asked about tenure for teachers, Lederman said he opposed the state law. “In my company I look for the best employees I can get,” he said. “We have an excellent staff but principals need to be able to innovate and try new programs.”Leonardson said she didn’t have a problem with tenure. “Are the schools that don’t have tenure better than schools that do?” she asked. “I don’t think so.”She and Schaeffner both pointed out that there are other ways to get rid of teachers besides withholding tenure.”We have excellent teachers in this system,” Schaeffner said. “I think we need a system for managing all our staff.”What will they look for in Marblehead’s next superintendent of schools?”We need someone smart and experienced, who will listen to parents and advocate for the schools,” Lederman said, warning the audience that, “It’s very difficult to hire a good superintendent. Background checks are very important.”Leonardson, who served on the last superintendent search committee, said she wanted a respected educational leader and a great communicator who understood budgets. “It’s important to start the search early,” she said.Schaeffner pointed out that the next superintendent will take over as the schools carry out Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac’s education plan. “The next superintendent needs to understand that plan, own it and put their own stamp on it,” she said.