Your Local News, Sports and Information Online. Scan & Subscribe! Vol. 35, No. 14 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Malden Public Schools Special Education audit spotlights strengths, areas for growth School board votes to adopt Grades 9-10 ELA curriculum provided by Fishtank Learning By Steve Freker P arents and caregivers of special needs students in the Malden Public Schools (MPS) by and large approve of and appreciate the efforts of administrators and educators in the district in providing vital services required by their children. That was the sentiment which prevailed in both the official report and by comments expressed at Monday’s Malden School Committee meeting. At the meeting, the results of an independent audit of the MPS Special Education Department and its services were presented. An official report was provided to the School Committee by EmpowerEd Consulting & Advo617-387-2200 Friday, April 10, 2026 Mayor Christenson addresses City Council on Malden municipal finances following rejection of tax override Forecasts proposed FY27 budget will be ready for review earlier this year; deficit of $8-million-plus will bring personnel & other budget cuts EmpowerEd Consulting released its official report on the Special Education audit conducted at the request of the Malden School Committee. (Courtesy/EmpowerEd) cacy — hired by the School Department this past fall at the request of then School Committee Vice Chairperson Jennifer Spadafora, to conduct the departmenFishtank Learning was recommended by Supt. Dr. Timothy Sippel and approved by the Malden School Committee as the new Grades 9-10 ELA Curriculum provider at Malden High School. (Courtesy photo) tal audit. The results of the report included data collected through interviews and discussions with MPS Special Education adminSCHOOL | SEE PAGE 8 ~ Political Announcement ~ Carey McDonald Announces Candidacy for State Senate Endorsed by Mayor Gary Christenson O n Monday, Carey McDonald announced they are joining the open race for the 5th Middlesex Massachusetts senate district. McDonald is a three-term Malden city councillor at large and nonprofit executive. “I’m joining this race to help us build communities where everyone can thrive,” said McDonald. “Our communities deserve a partner in the State Senate who will fight for the schools, housing, and opportunities our families need — and the courage to take on the structural problems holding us back.” If elected, top priorities for McDonald include: • Tackling the affordability crisis in housing, utility bills and childcare, so that working families can afford to stay in our communities • Fixing the local budget crisis, including our broken school Carey McDonald SENATE | SEE PAGE 5 M Mayor Gary Christenson addressed the Malden City Council on Tuesday. (Advocate Photo) By Steve Freker ayor Gary Christenson addressed the Malden City Council Tuesday night, one week after voters rejected the city’s first-ever Proposition 2 1/2 override request. “The final tally was just 124 votes, but the voters have spoken and we will follow their wishes,” the Mayor told the Council at its regular weekly meeting. “It was not the result we were looking for, but that does not MAYOR | SEE PAGE 7 Malden resident to honor late fiancé at Boston Marathon after tragic plane crash Special to The Advocate M alden resident Jill Hadwen will be running this year’s race in honor of her late fiancé, Joseph Puciloski. Just days after their engagement, during a Cape Cod getaway in June 2025, Joseph Puciloski was critically injured in a small plane crash shortly after takeoff in Beverly, Massachusetts, and was transported to Mass General Hospital. Despite the efforts of the emergency medicine team, he passed away several days later. Jill says the care and compassion shown by the Mass General staff during those final days left a lasting impact — not only CRASH | SEE PAGE 10
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