Negotiations now underway on new Malden Public Schools teachers’ contract

Malden School Committee announces talks on new collective bargaining agreement with Malden Education Association

By Steve Freker

Talks have begun between the Malden School Committee and the Malden Education Association (MEA) on a new contract. Malden Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Sippel, ED.L.D and Malden School Committee Vice Chair Jennifer Spadafora made the announcement jointly in a letter to the School Committee earlier this week.

Dr. Sippel and Vice Chair Spadafora stated, “The Malden School Committee is set to begin negotiations with the Malden Education Association (MEA), Units A, B, and C for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement at our opening session today– January 23, 2025. Our current agreement will expire on August 31, 2025.”

Representing the MEA will be President Deb Gesualdo and her bargaining team. The three Unit A, B and C members are working on an existing three-year contract that was signed two years ago and is now in its final six months.

In their letter, Supt. Sippel and Vice Chair Spadafora stated, “We are committed to working collaboratively with the union leadership to establish fair contracts with competitive compensation for our educators.”

“We recognize that many topics will be addressed in this negotiation, and we are determined to work through all of these matters in good faith. We thank everyone in advance for their time and efforts to make this process successful,” they added.

According to many in the district, on both sides of the upcoming negotiations, there has been a distinct air of positivity and collaboration since Dr. Sippel assumed his post this past June.

The Malden School Committee Bargaining Team for these negotiations for the new contract will include:

—Jennifer Spadafora, Malden School Committee Vice Chair and Negotiations Subcommittee Chair

—Dr. Timothy Sippel, Ed.L.D., Superintendent, Malden Public Schools

—Sharyn Rose-Zeiberg, Ward 8 Malden School Committee Member

—Keith Bernard, Ward 7 Malden School Committee Member

—Toni Mertz, Director of Finance and Operations, Malden Public Schools

—Komal Bhasin, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning

—Pamela MacDonald, Assistant Superintendent, Student Services

—Dr. Sarah McLaughlin, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

—Van Huynh, Salemwood School Principal

—Howard Greenspan, Attorney for Malden School Committee

—Maria Luise, Special Assistant to the Mayor, City of Malden

Supt. Dr. Sippel added, “As we begin negotiations, the School Committee Bargaining team will be presenting an overview of proposals that align with the core values of the Malden Public Schools:

—Include and Collaborate

—Embrace Growth

—Do Right by All Kids

“As always, our mission is to improve the Malden Public Schools for all of our students and our staff who serve them every day,” said Dr. Sippel and Vice Chair Spadafora.

Over the course of the coming months, community members will be able to find updates on the negotiation process at the links below:

Website: maldenps.org/negotiations-updates (coming soon)

Facebook: facebook.com/MaldenPublicSchoolsOffical

Instagram: instagram.com/mp_schools/

X: x.com/Malden_Schools/