Residents urge townwide task force after repeated survey findings and recent tragedy

Several residents used public comment time to tell the School Committee that repeated Youth Risk Behavior Survey results — and a recent tragic incident — require a cross‑sector community response, not just school-based education.

Sarah Fox, speaking from 46 Sixteenth Street, told the committee she had seen the same troubling survey result two years in a row showing "more than 1 in 4" high school students reported riding in a vehicle with someone under the influence and urged formation of a task force including the school committee, the Select Board, the Board of Health and parents. Fox said parents were modeling the behavior and "we have to stop sugar coating and glamorizing what is happening to these kids" and that the response needs "membership from the school committee, the Select Board, the Department of Health, parent representation."

Tom McMahon, who identified himself as a member of the Board of Health, said he believed the surveys undercount the problem and said the issue is cultural in Marblehead, adding that schools alone cannot solve it. Other residents in public comment echoed the call for education that includes adults and community venues; one asked whether the school committee would respond to prior correspondence about steps the district will take against antisemitism.

In new business, a School Committee member proposed convening an initial leadership group that would include Select Board, Board of Health, Parks & Recreation and public-safety representatives to begin conversations on prevention and responses. Committee members agreed that such a cross-sector discussion would be appropriate and asked the chair to reach out to other boards and report back at the Sept. 4 meeting about interest and next steps. Committee members said any initial group can operate without triggering open-meeting rules so long as participation is kept below a quorum of any single public body.