Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 26, 2020 COMMITTEE | FROM PAGE 1 lawmakers, but ultimately, the school committee voted unanimously to approve the $74.2 million school budget that will keep classrooms intact and class sizes at their current level. “[The Budget Subcommittee] agreed this was our best-case scenario,” said Budget Subcommittee Chair Jen Spadafora. Last Thursday’s caravan was one of a number of rallies throughout the state organized by the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) calling for full funding of schools and reforms in staffing and curriculum that address racial inequities. After winding through the city, the caravan stopped at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in Malden, where Malden Education Association President Deb Gesualdo, Teacher Jessica Gold Boots and MTA President Merrie Najimy taped the MTA list of demands for reopening and reimaging public schools. Those demands include full funding of the Student Opportunity Act, which promised to increase state educational aid to districts with high percentages of low-income students and English language learners. The MTA is also calling for more teachers and staff with a priority on recruiting and hiring educators of color. There is also a demand to eliminate MCAS testing and ensure that curriculum is actively antiracist, inclusive and representative of the school community’s values. To ensure school safety, the MTA is calling for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided by the state, antiracist education, the elimination of school resource officers, and greater investment in social support systems. “A fully safe school means a school committed to racial justice,” said Gold Boots to supporters gathered at the DESE building on Pleasant Street. “A fully safe school means funding for all with support from adjustment counselors, nurses, librarians, arts and ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ MALDEN BOARD OF APPEAL PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Board of Appeal will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 6:30 pm Eastern Time (US and Canada), via remote hearing, on Petition 20-003 by Patrick P. MacDonald, Esq. on behalf of Hashmat Rauf for a variance of MCC 12.16.010 Chapter 12 of the revised Ordinances of 2020 as amended of the City of Malden. Formerly known as Section 400.1.2.1 Chapter 12, of the Revised Ordinances of 1991 as Amended of the City of Malden - Namely, Dwelling – Single Family Dimensional Controls of Lot Size, setbacks and lot coverage as per Plans RES-032321-2020 at the property known as and numbered 45 Valley St, Malden, MA and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID # 141-797-715 The hearing will be hosted by the City of Malden on Zoom and will be accessible to members of the public who are invited to attend and provide comments via remote participation by accessing the following link and/or telephone: Internet Link: https://zoom.us/j/96860868824?pwd=Qm1Lc3I1UXU5OE05ZGdvRWU3N DJWQT09 Webinar ID 968 6086 8824 Password: 277685 Or iPhone one-tap: US: +13126266799, 99650222676#,#,677510# or +19294362866, 99650222676#,#,677510# Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 436 2866 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/acNcTcik5k Additional information, Petition & plans available for public review in Office of Assessor, 110 Pleasant St., 3rd floor. Malden MA or online at www.cityofmalden.org or https://permits.cityofmalden.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService By: James O’Brien Chairman June 19 & 26, 2020 WALSH | FROM PAGE 6 meeting at that Mexican spot in Gloucester, but even more than that came an entire record (released on Cow Island) which I still play to this day. Rest in Peace Jack. Thanks for the music and your madness.” “This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end...” A couple of “Sons of Green Street Park” have unexpectedly passed over to that mystery place – “shuffled off this mortal coil” as Shakespeare once opined. Gone before we could give them a proper “so long friends.” You may or may not have known these two fine young men, Danny “Mr. Mal’s Market” Moore and Mike “Mr. Signor Pizza” Walsh, but they were an important/vital slice of the fabric of Malden/Green St. Park life. The community as a whole, I really should say. Both so large in the hearts and minds of their many friends. “Parts Unknown!” A time and a place. The playing fields were their second home. Days were long; the nights, even longer. We never wanted for 10 to play a game of hoop, 18 for a pick-up game of baseball/softball, or a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors “hot” off the press! Most times a cooler stuffed with Schlitz sitting close by! Moyer and Wally will always be part of that time and space. Those of us of “a certain age” can still see them vividly in our mind’s eye. That place we yearn to revisit, for just one day. Not saying that Malden of today ain’t the bomb, but Malden in that hazy, crazy past inside our heads was a wicked special place to be. Farewell to lifelong pallys Danny Moore & Mikey Walsh; I’ll be sure to raise a glass of Ballantine Ale tonight for you two stone-cold “Malden Boys of Summer.” Postscript: “Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to...” Green Street Park circa the ’70s/’80s: • Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High Tops at bargain bin prices • Gritty, no-holds-barred hoop until the wee, small hours • Chief Jay Strongbow – the “sleeper hold” in black & white! Lou Albano and his “P.E.G. Principal” (Politeness, Etiquette, & Grooming) • Leezard. Moyer. Wally. Cha Cha. Moose. Hultie. Choppa! Wadd. Gazelle. Tuxie • The City Yard stench • The Malden River stench • Signor Pizza Central Headquarters! • Beer, wine and weed into the wee, small hours • Larry Bird’s rookie season and those fabulous Loge seats on Friday nights • Green St. vs Belmont School! “Outreach Softball” at its finest! • Parts Unknown forever! music teachers and educational support professionals. A fully safe school means a place where the whole child is encouraged to learn and grow,” said Gold Boots. At the beginning of June, School Business Manager Toni Mertz presented a level-funded budget that is the same amount as last year. However, to cover the new fiscal year’s negotiated raises and other contractual obligations, some cuts were made to balance the budget. The original proposal called for cutting three administrative positions, 13 part-time positions and six support-staff members and defunding 26 unfilled positions as well as trimming back the allocation for maintenance and operations. This week , Spadafo - ra thanked everyone who worked on the budget, especially Mertz, who was able to tweak the original budget proposal and restore seven positions. Bonnie Littlejohn’s part-time job providing classroom support at the Beebe School was not one of them. During the public hearing, Littlejohn asked the School Committee to consider reinstating the support staff if funding becomes available. “It holds much value for the children,” said Littlejohn, adding that support staff recognize and help students who need additional academic support. Several Malden High teachers told the School Committee that eliminating an unfilled school adjustment counselor position at the high school would be a significant loss for students. “The work they do is integral to the comings and goings of our students,” said Malden High School Teacher Chris Giordano. “The position is essential to our students’ success.” Elizabeth Gibbons, who also teaches at Malden High, said the social/emotional well-being of students has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide demand to end systemic racism following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. “That social/ emotional wellbeing is as important as academic success,” said Gibbons. “Students need an adult they can trust and go to.” Spadafora said the School Committee has consistently approved resources and staff to support students’ social/ emotional well-being. “If the money is there in August or September, we would look to fund social/emotional support positions,” she said. School Committee Member Adam Weldai also acknowledged the importance of school adjustment counselors and social/emotional support for students. “The biggest priority for us was making sure that people who were employed stay employed,” said Weldai. “When we see more funding coming in, that’s at the top of the priority list.” The Budget Subcommittee expects to be back crunching numbers in the fall when the district learns how much aid Malden schools can expect from the state and whether positions can be reinstated or more cuts will be needed.
11 Publizr Home