Meet Marblehead Interim Superintendent Finalist John Robidoux

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Swansea Public Schools Superintendent John Robidoux, the sole finalist to become Marblehead’s interim superintendent for the 2024-2025 school year, was in town to tour facilities and meet with staff, students and stakeholders Monday, in search fills the post appears directed towards a conclusion.

The Marblehead School Committee will meet Thursday night to discuss the district visit, reference checks, community feedback and any other thoughts or concerns about the position before a potential vote on offering Robidoux the position.

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During his public interview with the School Committee last month, Robidoux emphasized his willingness to support staff, make tough decisions and an “open door policy” when it comes to questions and criticism about schools and their policies.

“We are in the children’s business,” Robidoux told the School Committee. “We’re not in the business of making everybody happy. Sometimes I have to make decisions that aren’t always popular. I’m fine with that.

“If it’s the wrong decision, I take responsibility for it.”

Robidoux has served as superintendent of Swansea Public Schools since 2016 and has worked in that district since 2006. He told that city’s School Committee in the fall that he will not seek a new contract when his contract expires at the end of this current school. year.

“I have a lot to offer,” Robidoux told the Committee. “I have many years before I retire.”

Asked about the huge change in leadership in Marblehead over the past year, Robidoux said that could be seen as a positive as those new administrators will look to his leadership at the start of the new school year.

“I’m very well versed in this type of leadership,” he said. “I tend to really lead from the middle rather than have a top-down approach. Gathering input and feedback and developing a dialogue is very important to me.”

He said the contribution included teachers’ unions, who he said had been an active part of the budget discussions during his time in Swansea. This comes as the School Committee’s negotiating subcommittee and the Marblehead Education Association continue to hammer out everything from specific contract proposals to negotiating session schedules and decor, with a contract set to expire this summer.

“They know I’ve got their back,” Robidoux said of his Swansea staff. “They know they are supportive.”

With Marblehead showing tight budgets and perennial cuts from two failed repeals in recent years, Robidoux said he’s used to being “in a town that doesn’t like to spend money on things,” but acknowledged some of the constraints required in Marblehead. were particularly difficult.

“Where you’re at in the state rankings is impressive to me given the challenges you’ve had,” he said, crediting the Marblehead staff for maintaining a high level of learning amid those challenges.

A former restaurant owner with special education in the classroom, he said he’s “not shaken” or “off” and talked about a severe weather emergency he was able to navigate with his staff through lines of communication and quick decisions .

He added that his time in the district will be spent more moving around the district and less stuck in a central office.

“I really enjoy getting involved with the students and staff,” he said. “Building relationships helps you see what’s really going on.

“If you’re looking for someone to sit in a desk behind a desk all day, I’m not your guy.”

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)