School committee approves residency changes, refers Linden AEAP and extends two assistant superintendent contracts

The Malden School Committee on Feb. 7 approved several administrative and personnel actions, including changes to the residency policy intended to simplify student enrollment, a referral of the Linden Accelerated and Enrichment Academic Program (AEAP) to the district's Equity & Opportunity Ad-Hoc Subcommittee, and two contract extensions for assistant superintendents.

The committee voted unanimously to adopt changes to the residency policy after a Policy & Procedures Subcommittee review. Ms. Spadafora said the revisions permit a tenant to submit a residency affidavit signed by the property owner together with the property owner’s photo identification in place of requiring the owner to appear in person at the Welcome Center. The policy will also accept copies of landline phone bills and mortgage closing documents as proof of residency and renames the Parent Information Center as the Welcome Center. Ms. Spadafora told the committee the subcommittee voted unanimously to approve the edits. The motion to adopt the policy was moved by Ms. Spadafora and seconded by Mr. Weldai and passed unanimously.

The committee also voted unanimously to refer the Linden AEAP — which paused new enrollment due to the pandemic — to the Equity & Opportunity Ad-Hoc Subcommittee for review. Mr. Weldai moved the referral and Ms. Spadafora seconded.

In personnel actions, the committee extended the contract of the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction by two years, through June 30, 2024. Mr. Weldai made the motion, Mr. Bernard seconded, and a roll-call vote carried with eight YES votes and one absence (Mr. Drummey). The committee then extended the contract of the Assistant Superintendent for Diversity, Equity and Engagement by two years to June 30, 2024; Mr. Bernard moved, Mr. McCarthy seconded and the roll-call vote again passed with eight YES votes and one absence.

Procedural motions included a vote to enter executive session at 7:49 p.m. (passed by roll call, eight YES votes, one absence) and, after reconvening at 8:29 p.m., a unanimous vote to release specified redacted executive-session minutes from 2021. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.; the adjournment motion noted the meeting was held in memory of Paul Finn, retired vice-principal and Malden High School football coach, who died Feb. 7, 2022.

Next steps: the AEAP referral will be considered by the Equity & Opportunity Ad-Hoc Subcommittee; the revised residency policy took effect immediately.