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Committee Members

A smiling woman with long hair sits at a table in a well-lit room, her arms folded in front of her.
Kate Schmeckpeper - CHAIRPERSON

schmeckpeper.kate@marbleheadschools.org

Kate Schmeckpeper was elected to the Marblehead School Committee in June 2025. Kate has been practicing law in Massachusetts for nearly 20 years, including as a litigation associate at Foley Hoag LLP and as Assistant General Counsel at Suffolk University. She currently works in the litigation group of a Boston area law firm.
Kate and her family have lived in Marblehead since 2014 and her four children have all attended the Marblehead Public Schools. Over the past decade, Kate has served in numerous roles on the Coffin Gerry, Brown and Village School PTO boards, including as co-president of the Brown School PTO. She also served for two years as a member of the Village School Advisory Council. In 2019, Kate was co-chair of the Vote Yes for MHD Kids campaign, which secured funding for the construction of the Brown School.

A smiling man with a beard and short hair stands in front of a wooden background.
Henry Gwazda - SECRETARY

gwazda.henry@marbleheadschools.org

Henry Gwazda joined the School Committee in June of 2025. Henry has worked in graphic design and marketing in the biotechnology field since he moved to Marblehead in 2012. He has experience managing teams and budgets, setting and tracking goals and company initiatives, project management, and developing effective communication materials. He hopes to use this experience to bring the School Committee, the students, the teachers, and the public together to address our shared challenges.
Henry has two daughters in Marblehead Public Schools, and his wife also works in the schools as a part-time substitute, and through independent support programs. He is deeply invested in the future of our schools, and a passionate fan of our town. In his spare time, he works on home improvement projects, cooks, plays music, and enjoys Marblehead with his family.

Al Williams - CHAIRPERSON
Al Williams - MEMBER
 
Al grew up in New York City but has called Massachusetts home for over 15 years. In addition to being an IT executive for many years, Al has taught high school math in the Philadelphia public school system and has taught college classes at Massasoit Community College, Brandeis University and Benedictine University. Al recently retired after working for 10 years for the Commonwealth of MA. One of those roles served was in the IT department of the Executive Office of Education. Academically, Al has a BS in Computer Science from Lehigh University, an MBA from the University of Baltimore and a doctorate in education from Benedictine University. Al has been married for over 38 years and has two adult children - one who resides in Marblehead and one who lives in NYC. He also has two granddaughters who reside in Marblehead. Al and his wife Donna enjoy traveling, kayaking and pickleball. His term expires June of 2027.

Subcommittees & Liaisons

Subcommittee Roles & Recommitments 

The Marblehead School Committee breaks out into subcommittees to tackle the major responsibilities of the group. Subcommittee meetings are open to the public and published on our Calendar.

Budget Subcommittee

The Budget Subcommittee, Melissa Clucas and Henry Gwazda

Charter: Steward the district’s financial planning. Review the budget development process, monitor implementation, recommend adjustments to preserve instructional priorities and maintain fiscal sustainability. The Budget subcommittee prepares analyses and reports for the full SC during budget season.  

Key Activities

  • Develop the subcommittee timeline that aligns with municipal budgeting, including warrant/finance deadlines and override considerations. 
  • Review the administration’s proposed operating and capital budgets line-by-line, understand the drivers of variance, and evaluate the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operation’s recommended adjustments. 
  • Monitor quarterly financial reports; alert the full committee to projected overruns or underspends. 
  • In alignment with the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operation, coordinate with the town finance team and auditor on long-range forecasts, debt service, and reserve policies. 
  • Review cost-containment measures and financial impacts of new programs or staffing changes. 

Facilities Subcommittee

The Facilities Subcommittee, Henry Gwazda and Al Williams

  • Charter: Oversee the district’s physical assets and capital planning. Recommend capital priorities and timelines, ensure facilities work supports educational goals and safety. The Facilities subcommittee prepares a long-range capital needs report for the full School Committee and coordinates with the Budget subcommittee during budget/borrowing seasons.

 Key Activities

  •  Maintain and update a multi-year capital improvement plan (CIP) and prioritize projects by educational impact, code/safety needs, and cost.
  •  As needed, assist the administration in coordinating building assessments, architect/engineer reviews, and MSBA (or other state) project submissions.  
  •  Review short- and long-term maintenance budgets as presented by the administrative team; recommend to the full School Committee, flagging potential cost escalations and funding gaps.
  •  Monitor schedules and contract milestones for major projects as needed (HVAC, accessibility work, etc); recommend corrective action when timelines or budgets slip. 

MHS Roof Team (SC Advisory Group) Charter: Provide focused, expert technical guidance to the Superintendent and School Committee on the MHS roof project, ensuring timely decision-making, budget oversight, and clear public updates. The MHS Roof Team is appointed by and reports into the full school committee.

Key Activities

  • Review project scope, timeline, designer/contractor reports and change orders before recommending action to the Facilities and full School Committee. 
  • Identify permit, procurement, or inspection issues that could affect schedule or cost; recommend mitigation. 

Policy Subcommittee

The Policy Subcommittee, Kate Schmeckpeper and Ann-Marie Jordan

Charter: Develop, review, and recommend district policies to the full School Committee so the district remains compliant with state and federal law and aligned with district goals. The Policy subcommittee vets proposed policy changes, reviews MASC model language, and recommends adoption or repeal.  

Key Activities

  • Maintain a prioritized policy review calendar including statutory updates and routine housekeeping. 
  • Review suggested policy language (from Administration, MASC, legal counsel) and prepare redline drafts and explanatory memos (if necessary) for the full committee.
  • Run regular policy “clean-up” reviews to retire obsolete policies or resolve conflicts.
  • Track deadlines tied to changes in law or regulations and ensure timely policy adoption.
  • Recommend policy readiness to move through required review stages; coordinate with administration to gather stakeholder input when needed.  

Communication Subcommittee

The Communication Subcommittee, Melissa Clucas and Henry Gwazda

Charter: Coordinate the district’s external and internal communications to build public trust, ensure transparency, and amplify student and program successes. The Communications subcommittee also advises on messaging strategy and public engagement.

Key Activities

  • Ensure timely distribution of information regarding school committee activities. 
  • Maintain a district communications plan or editorial calendar aligned with school year milestones, budget season, and major facilities or policy initiatives. 
  • Create and review public-facing materials (newsletters, website content, etc) and recommend standards for tone, branding, and accessibility. 
  • Recommend strategies for outreach during high-stakes votes (overrides, capital projects) - until the point at which any school-related issue becomes a ballot question.  
  • When needed, coordinate public briefings and/or FAQs to keep the community informed and to minimize misinformation. 

Joint School/Town Committee Representation

  • Selectmen MOU Committee: chaired by the Chairperson as needed-Meet with Board of Selectmen, Town Administrator, Finance Committee, and other town officials, as well as the Superintendent and School Finance Director to collaborate on long-term municipal financial goals and efficient use of town resources. 

Marblehead 2037 Comprehensive Plan : MPS Representative: Al Williams

Charter: Represent the School Committee in the town’s multi-year Master Plan process to ensure school facility and program needs are integrated into broader municipal planning and land-use decisions.

Key Activities

  • Bring Master Plan milestones and public engagement opportunities to the School Committee’s attention. Attend Master Plan meetings; provide school impact analyses for proposed land-use or infrastructure changes. 
  • Ensure the Master Plan’s capital and transportation recommendations reflect school access, safety, and enrollment projections. 

Superintendent’s Advisories

  • Health/Wellness Advisory: Overview of the Wellness Policy and building-related procedures. (School Committee Representative:Kate Schmeckpeper)

Liaisons

METCO: Al Williams

Charter: Serve as the School Committee’s designated point of contact for the district’s METCO program, helping ensure equitable access, family engagement, cultural responsiveness, and coordinated services for METCO students and families. The liaison supports communication between METCO families, the METCO director/coordinator, building administrators, transportation staff, and the full School Committee.  

Key Activities

  • Maintain regular contact with the METCO Director; attend METCO family events and periodic program updates so the SC stays informed about enrollment, transportation, and support needs.  
  • Monitor student academic and social integration concerns; escalate systemic issues (transportation problems, persistent access barriers, cultural/climate concerns) to the Superintendent and the SC.  
  • Promote family engagement and two-way communication: publicize METCO meetings, workshops and translated materials; help recruit METCO parents for PTO and district advisory roles.  
  • Review METCO program reporting (attendance, academic indicators, discipline/disciplinary disparities) and request clarifying data or action plans when trends suggest equity gaps.  
  • Serve as a visible advocate at School Committee meetings — delivering brief liaison updates, flagging items needing policy or budget attention, and supporting culturally responsive practices in district planning. 

SEPAC: Ann-Marie Jordan 

Charter: Act as the formal SC representative to the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), fostering an ongoing advisory partnership that informs committee decision-making about special education services, safety, and compliance with state/federal special education law. The liaison helps ensure SEPAC input is heard, logistical links are maintained, and required regulatory responsibilities are respected.  

Key Activities

  • Attend SEPAC meetings regularly (or receive and circulate SEPAC minutes); serve as primary channel for SEPAC concerns and recommendations to reach the SC and administration.  
  • Help coordinate SEPAC access to district decision-makers; ensure SEPAC requests for information or presentations are scheduled appropriately.  
  • Work with SEPAC to clarify roles and timelines for advisory input (ex. advance notice for budget or program changes that affect special education), and meaningful opportunities for review and input. 
  • Promote two-way communication and training: publicize SEPAC events, family workshops, and parent-education offerings; encourage translated materials and accessible meeting formats.  
  • Track compliance and questions the SEPAC raises (accessibility, service delivery, timelines for evaluations/IEPs); request administrative follow-up or data in areas warranting improvement.  

Safety committee liaison: Ann-Marie Jordan

Health & Wellness Advisory liaison: Kate Schmeckpeper

Negotiations: Kate Schmeckpeper and Melissa Clucas

Goals: Al Williams and Ann-Marie Jordan 

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE MARBLEHEAD SCHOOL COMMITTEE?
TOWN ELECTIONS OCCUR EVERY YEAR, THE SECOND WEEK IN MAY AND THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE IS ALWAYS ON THE BALLOT, WITH AT LEAST ONE OPEN POSITION.
THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE HAS FIVE MEMBERS, ELECTED ON A ROTATING BASIS FOR THREE YEAR TERMS. IF THERE HAS BEEN A RESIGNATION, THERE MAY BE AN OPEN POSITION ON THE SC FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS.