School Committee — April 6, 2026

Chair called the April 6, 2026 Malden School Committee meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., reviewed the agenda including consent items, public comment, superintendent report, finance, motions, and executive session.

Presentation and discussion of proposed May 2027 Forest Dale School Washington, D.C. overnight trip ($1,075/student) and annual K-8 Canobie Lake Park out-of-state trip; both included details on accessibility, fundraising, chaperones, and emergency protocols.

Review and approval of multiple 2026 meeting minutes (Jan 28, Feb 2, Feb 18, March 9 special) and March warrants, with minor name spelling corrections noted.

Multiple parents and residents spoke on excessive screen/EdTech use in classrooms, concerns about AI/chatbots, and opposition to replacing the in-house MOST after-school program with an outside vendor.

Superintendent introduced incoming Malden High School Principal Michael Sabin (effective July 1) and began district strategy for improvement update covering literacy/math/science goals and instructional leadership cycles. Presentation on ongoing instructional leadership cycle including PD blocks, intervention blocks, coaching, and data reviews to improve literacy, math, and science; educators from Ferryway shared math intervention implementation using IXL diagnostics resulting in student gains.

Detailed review of 6-month process by 16-member educator advisory committee evaluating curricula; recommendation to adopt Fishtank for its use of full texts, print resources, MA standards alignment, and lower cost compared to StudySync.

Initial findings on IEP service delivery (strong in academics/sub-separate, challenges in related services at high school), staff licensure/waivers, 30-day evaluation timelines (mostly compliant), and instructional group sizes (mostly compliant with some mid-year adjustments needed). a speaker reported on hiring licensed K-8 teachers ahead of schedule, evaluation timeline compliance issues at the Early Learning Center and BB due to student access, and 100% compliance in sub-separate classrooms with waivers requested for four pull-out classes exceeding group size limits after adding seven students mid-year. Dr. Jenna Rufo presented findings from a 3-month review using convergent parallel design, highlighting strengths in inclusion rates (74% full inclusion exceeding state targets), orderly classrooms, culture of care, aligned procedures, and staff collaboration; growth areas included achievement outcomes not matching inclusion levels, higher-than-desired substantially separate placements (especially for autism/ID students), inconsistent MTSS implementation, need for differentiated instruction and co-teaching models, and lack of district-wide consistency in programs and referrals.

Members discussed staffing allocation analysis, co-teaching effectiveness, central office capacity for instructional leadership vs. compliance, parent survey on IEP meetings, and high school placement trends reversing earlier inclusion gains; commitments made to integrate findings into strategic plan and gather stakeholder feedback.

Ms. Badafora reported on April 2 finance meeting covering financial policies, March warrants, FY2027 budget, equity in athletics, and language offerings; city CFO to be invited next meeting; corrected health insurance figures shifted net school spending reporting but did not resolve structural deficit of $8-9M.

Discussion on process for School Committee to request DESE waiver for structured learning time due to power outage at Salemwood; motion made to seek waiver.

Discussion of RFP process for new after-school vendor to expand access; plans for parent survey, virtual listening session on April 14, and advisory committee including parents and School Committee members.

Motion to accept $500 donation from Northern Bank to defray Malden High School yearbook costs for students needing assistance.

Proposal to shift portion of Beebe zone (east of Main, north of Glenwood) to Forest Dale to balance kindergarten enrollment; no impact on current students.

Motion to adopt updated Program of Studies; noted need to correct omission of RISE program and inclusion of new financial literacy electives.

Motion to refer Policy DGA to policy subcommittee due to lack of formal vote record on Municipal Modernization Act delegation.

Motion to refer Policy DBJ to policy subcommittee to align with state law requiring School Committee approval for line-item transfers.

Motion to hold properly noticed public hearing on school choice participation before June 1, with vote option; scheduled for May 4.

Motion to refer $10,500 MASC comprehensive policy review contract to joint finance and policy subcommittees.

Resolution supporting city financial management review including schools; tabled to May meeting after DLS confirmation of review.