Marblehead will study Glover School building proposals for next May

MARBLEHEAD – Thirty people showed up for Wednesday?s selectmen?s meeting, at least half of them ready to chastise the Glover School Building Committee for seeking the board?s approval for a fall Town Meeting and special election on the proposed $28.8 million new school building – but no such request was made.Instead, Patricia Blackmer told the board, the committee will study the site and the project to see if savings can be realized, and seek approval at next May?s annual Town Meeting.Following Blackmer?s remarks, none of the opponents spoke. The Glover School was defeated by 70 votes at a debt override election last month, leaving the future of the project and the state?s offer of 40 percent reimbursement in doubt. At the end of the meeting Lana Robinson stood to ask Blackmer a question and was told that she should ask the School Committee.Blackmer, who chairs the School Committee and the Glover Committee, said events of the previous 24 hours caused a 180-degree change in direction. As of last week both committees supported a request for a fall town meeting and special election.She said the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which last week said the fall vote was “crucial” to the project?s future and the MSBA?s commitment to reimburse the town at a 40 percent rate, offered a new elementary school concept at Wednesday?s board meeting.The MSBA unveiled an expansion of its model school program, in which the MSBA offers local communities high school designs, to elementary schools.Blackmer said, “Marblehead should explore this.” While the town would lose the 40 percent reimbursement it would receive additional reimbursement up to 38 percent if it used the model school plan.She also said that test borings at the Glover School site this year at a cost of $80,000 could help keep the project on schedule. The cost could come from the school?s operating budget and would be reimbursed if the school project is approved by the voters.?I appreciate the fact that you?re willing to take another look,” said Selectman Michael Rockett. Selectmen William Woodfin, Judy Jacobi and Jackie Belf-Becker all told Blackmer that while they appreciated her efforts they would have voted against a fall Town Meeting.Woodfin told her, “The townspeople own the ballot. If they want another school they?ll vote for it.”