A Message for Ward 6 Residents from Peter Piazza for School Committee

My name is Peter Piazza. I’m a first time candidate running to represent Ward 6 on the Malden School Committee.

My wife and I are the proud parents of two children attending Malden Public Schools. Our son graduated from the Early Learning Center and starts kindergarten at Salemwood this Fall, joining his sister who’s in third grade there. I’m also an active member of the Salemwood PTO and the Maplewood Association.

I’ve spent my entire career in education research and advocacy for public schools. As a research professor at UMass Center for Education Policy, I work with superintendents and principals across the state, leveraging data to drive public school improvements.

I’m running to bring this experience and perspective to our School Committee.

When I’m knocking on doors and talking with voters, I hear about lots of issues that I’ve spent my career working on — like reading curriculum, dual-language instruction, student mental and emotional health. But what I hear most from Ward 6 voters is genuine concern and care for our schools and our children. I want to be a voice for those concerns and that care.

I’ve learned so much from the conversations I have with my fellow parents every day at school pickup. I want to broaden opportunities for feedback by holding regular office hours to hear from more parents directly.

I have the greatest respect for teachers. My wife is a school librarian, and I’m a strong supporter of unions and collective bargaining. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Greater Boston Labor Council.

We are in a time of unprecedented challenges to public education. I believe the best way to respond to that reality is to build community locally. On the School Committee, I pledge to tackle our challenges with the knowledge of a researcher, the passion of a community advocate, and the care of a parent.

Please check out my website at Piazza4Malden.com to learn more. Thank you for your consideration and I hope to earn your vote on November 4th.