Your Local News, Sports & More! Scan & Subscribe to Advocate News Online! Vol. 35, No. 41 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Northeast Vocational HS leaders give updates on new school opening, national programming bid Malden School Committee members impressed with results of new $320 million facility in Wakefield 617-387-2200 Friday, October 16, 2026 Sen. Markey took on Republican challenger Deaton in debate Tuesday night Candidates take part in the only scheduled square off before November 3 general election NORTHEAST GRAND OPENING: Members of the Northeast School Committee, including Atty. Robert McCarthy, joined Superintendent David DiBarri and other school officials in a Grand Opening ribboncutting ceremony earlier this month. (Courtesy Photo) John Deaton Republican challenger By Steve Freker By Steve Freker I n 2021, Malden was the very first community to approve sharing the cost of the ambitious, $320 million project which resulted in a brand-new Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School. Following a successful special election, the Malden City Council approved Malden’s share of the project: some $36 million spread over 30 years of payments. Northeast Superintendent David DiBarri noted this fact when he appeared at the recent Malden School Committee meeting, where he brought greetings from the Wakefield-based, primarily vocational-technical training school. He was accompanied by Sean Salazar, Malden’s first-year representative to the Northeast School Committee. Superintendent DiBarri noted the “special relationship” Northeast has had with the city of Malden and its students. “We have always been grateful for the strong collaboration and special relationship we have had with the city of Malden, its students and families and you, the city leaders,” Supt. DiBarri said. “Malden was the first community to support funding our new school SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 7 Malden Public Schools leaders eye drop in enrollment numbers across district District total drops below 6,000 students at October 1 reporting date for first time in over 20 years By Steve Freker I n what has become a growing trend in urban school districts, student enrollment numbers are declining in the Malden Public Schools. Just five years ago, district leaders were trumpeting gains, not losses, pointing to one of the highest enrollments in over a decade: close to 6,500 students. Then, there was talk about overcrowding at specific schools in the Malden and how to approach the issue of growing class sizes in nearly all of seven public school buildings in this district. For the past three years, it has changed in the other direction ENROLLMENT | SEE PAGE 13 O ne could probably call it “Mass. Senate Debate Light” — plenty of probing criticisms from both participants — but minus the heavy dose of acriSen. Ed Markey Democratic incumbent mony which colored the partisan primary debate square offs. U.S. Senator Ed Markey, a lifelong Malden resident, faced off against Republican challengDEBATE | SEE PAGE 4 Malden’s 8th Annual Public Safety Day Special to The Advocate H undreds turned out last Sunday for the City of Malden’s Annual Public Safety Day event hosted by the Malden Fire and Police Departments. Held at Linden Park, families enjoyed fun and interactive ways to learn about staying safe. There were SAFETY | SEE PAGE 2 Pictured from left: Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe, Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica, Fire Chief Steve Froio and Mayor Gary Christenson. (Photos by Paul Hammersley)
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