MARBLEHEAD — Freed from her duties as chairwoman, School Committee member Patricia Blackmer is preparing documents for state officials in a renewed effort to begin the replacement of Glover School.
Meanwhile, new Chairwoman Eurim Chun is thinking of her colleagues when she talks of finding ways "to help us work cohesively and support each other."
These are the benefits, both believe, of Blackmer's recent decision to step down after only a few months as chairwoman in favor of Chun. That followed a sometimes contentious summer during which an initial attempt to replace the current Glover School was shot down by voters, and Blackmer found herself entangled in a controversial effort to hire a new business manager.
That effort drew fire from board members like Jonathan Lederman, who complained that the action was taken without sufficient input from the other four members. Lederman has since been named the new vice chairman.
The realization that she has more than enough to do working to get Glover replaced led to Blackmer's decision to step down.
"I had given it a lot of thought," she said. The Massachusetts School Building Authority has suggested a completely new approach to the Glover project, urging the town to adopt one of several cost-saving architectural models for the building.
"There were family considerations, too," Blackmer said, noting that she has a daughter deciding on which college she will attend. "It was just a matter of setting priorities."
For her part, Chun predicted smoother sailing during her tenure as chairwoman. "I don't wear two hats," she said. Rather than push a direction for the board, she sees her goals as more modest, a matter "of trying to get everyone working together."
Acknowledging some heated disagreements, Chun said of Lederman, "He's blunt, but at least he cares."
Disagreements and discussions are to be expected, she added, citing that as one of the reasons she supported Lederman as vice chairman. "And, hopefully, you make better decisions together."
Lederman could not be reached for comment.
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