Marblehead families deserve clear answers about our schools. I bring financial expertise and a parent's perspective — cutting through the noise so our community can make informed decisions together.
I'm Melissa Clucas. I'm a chief financial officer, a mother of three, and a current member of the Marblehead School Committee, appointed in 2025. I've lived in Marblehead since 2022.
As a CFO, I've led multi-million-dollar budgeting cycles, overseen complex contract negotiations, and worked closely with legal counsel, labor representatives, and executives to deliver transparent, sustainable outcomes. I bring that same experience to the committee's budget and communications subcommittees. Since being appointed, I've focused on understanding every cost driver behind our schools — well enough to ask the right questions and hold the right conversations. I believe that taxpayers deserve that rigor.
I want to continue helping to rebuild trust with the community, school, and town leadership, and our educators. If elected, I will remain committed to bringing a data-driven lens to decision-making and helping residents understand what the numbers actually mean.
I graduated from Villanova University with a double major in finance and accounting, and have my MBA from Northeastern University.
My Priorities
Real accountability across town leadership
I have spent my time on the School Committee building working relationships with school and town leaders. That matters because accountability only works when it is shared and clearly defined. I want to help shape what real accountability looks like across our town’s boards, so that the public can track how we’re doing on commitments we’ve made to our community.
Clear, consistent communication with residents
I believe that trust comes, in part, from understanding. Residents should know what decisions are being made, why they matter, and what comes next. If elected I will continue regular School Committee email updates (published in the newspaper), clear roadmaps for complicated processes and decision-making, and plain-language explanations so people can stay informed without having to dig for answers.
Fiscal responsibility and transparency
Especially in this moment, strong schools require disciplined stewardship. I understand the budget line by line and approach every decision with financial rigor. Just as important: I aim to make the numbers understandable, so residents can clearly see where their dollars are going and why.
Delivering on override commitments
If an override passes this spring, the School Committee, Select Board, and Finance Committee will enter into a formal memorandum of understanding. I want to be directly involved in ensuring that this important commitment is implemented, tracked, and reported back to the community.
Get Involved
Thank you for any and all help you can provide on the path to Election Day: Tuesday, June 9th!
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