SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Malden Public Schools last day of classes extended due to ‘snow days’: June 22 for MHS, June 23 for K-8

There will be no classes for K-8 students on Tuesday, March 31 due to special election, voting on Proposition 2 1/2 Override ballot questions

By Steve Freker

There is probably nothing that brings a smile to schoolchildren quicker than those cherished words, “Snow Day!” They even made a major motion picture about this type of heralded event back in 2000. Kids loved that movie, too.

Through a vote of the Malden School Committee at its most recent meeting, March 2, the “other shoe dropped,” however, when the members voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Superintendent Timothy Sippel and update the 2025-2026 school calendar.

The most prolific snowfall in 11 years this winter season — which is not over yet — which dumped over 60 inches of snow so far in Malden and the region, resulted in four “no school” snow days. The four snow days are also the most days off for weather events for the Malden district since 2015.

The Malden Public Schools, like all Massachusetts public school districts, are bound by state law mandating students are in classes for 180 school days. When the school calendars are established a year in advance, all districts plan for a standard five extra “snow days” to add to the school year if needed.

Originally, the school year was scheduled to end with the last day being Monday, June 15. Following Supt. Sippel’s recommendation, the School Committee voted in two successive votes to approve the 2025-2026 calendar update, which factored in the four snow days so that Malden High School’s last day of classes would be Monday, June 22, and that all other schools’ last day would be Tuesday, June 23. The first vote, which was unanimous, was to add the four snow days to the calendar. The one-day discrepancy between the two school levels — High School and K-8 — is a result of another vote, which was 5-3 in favor, declaring no school on March 31 in the K-8 schools only, due to a special municipal election being held that day.

The City of Malden is holding a special election on March 31 where voters are being asked to decide yes or no on proposed Proposition 2 1/2 Override ballot questions. There are two questions, the first asking if voters support a property tax override of either $5.4 million or $8.2 million.

Supt. Sippel said he had researched the issue of whether to close the K-8 schools for classes on the election day, since several of them are used for physical voting sites. He said that after consultation with Malden Police and city voting officials, the recommendation was to close those schools on the day of the election, which is done customarily in other regular elections. Mayor Gary Christenson, who serves as chairperson of the School Committee, agreed, citing the aspect of safety of the students and staff since members of the public would have access to parts of the building on that day. There are paid police details on duty those election days.

School Committee Vice Chairperson Jennifer Spadafora said she disagrees with cancelling school on the day of the special election. She said it was concerning since the City Council — which set the election day — did not consult with the School Committee before setting the date. She also said it would be a disruption for parents of students who would have to make arrangements to supervise their children and perhaps miss a workday because of it. Mayor Christenson questioned why the question of the Council not informing the School Committee of the special election date was not brought up before that meeting.

Since the closed schools for the election day was added to the K-8 school calendar, the last day of school for those students is now Tuesday, June 23. Voting in favor of having K-8 schools closed for the special election day were School Committee members Dawn Macklin (Ward 4), Elizabeth Hortie (Ward 5), Peter Piazza (Ward 6). Sharyn Rose-Zeiberg (Ward 8) and Mayor Christenson. Voting opposed to closing the schools were members Michael Drummey (Ward 1), Robert McCarthy Jr. (Ward 3) and Vice Chair Spadafora (Ward 3).

Supt. Sippel noted that Salemwood K-8 had another day of classes cancelled due to a watermain break but that he would be petitioning the Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to excuse the one day so that Salemwood could end school like the other K-8s.