Malden School Committee holds virtual governance training on evaluation, social media and ethics

The Malden School Committee held a virtual training session on Jan. 15, 2022, focused on governance, communication and new tools for evaluating the superintendent. Mayor Christenson called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. and urged members to "listen, learn and then act."

The training featured a presentation by Glenn Koocher of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) on the committee's roles, responsibilities and lines of communication. Koocher told members the committee's policy manual is available on the Malden Public Schools website and encouraged members to consult it.

Superintendent Noriega-Murphy thanked the committee for its support, delivered a brief presentation on communication matters and answered questions from members about visiting schools and attending school events. Koocher also introduced a new superintendent-evaluation tool, saying that typically between "6 – 10 criteria are selected" for an evaluation and inviting members to contact him with follow-up questions.

Committee members raised concerns about social media use. Koocher advised caution, noting social media "does not necessarily represent the views of the majority of stakeholders." Attorney Greenspan emphasized that members must avoid deliberation on any platform outside an official School Committee meeting and encouraged members to direct questions to Mayor Christenson, Superintendent Noriega-Murphy or Greenspan himself.

Greenspan also reviewed law, ethics and School Committee governance, including an overview of union negotiations and collective bargaining as they relate to committee responsibilities. The training concluded with Mayor Christenson adjourning the session at 10:53 a.m.

The minutes include a certification that notice of the meeting was filed with the city clerk in accordance with Chapter 39, Section 23A of the General Laws. No formal votes or motions were recorded during the training.