Jenn Spadafora for Mayor

⚾ Step Up to the Plate for Malden ⚾

I am honored to invite you to the official kickoff of my campaign for Mayor of Malden.

The season for Malden’s future is about to begin, and I’d be honored to have you on the team.

Please join me for the official kickoff of my campaign for Mayor of Malden. This special evening is an opportunity to meet face-to-face, ask questions, share your ideas, and hear my vision for a stronger, more vibrant Malden.

Great teams succeed by listening, working together, and bringing out the best in one another. That’s the approach I’ll bring to City Hall, and it starts with conversations like these.

📅 Thursday, June 25, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Anthony’s of Malden
105 Canal Street, Malden

Whether you’re a longtime supporter, a first-time voter, or simply curious about the future of our city, I hope you’ll join us.

Can’t make it to the event? You can still help move this campaign home by making a contribution here:
https://www.jennformalden.com/donate

Together, we can build a Malden that is ready for its next winning season.

I look forward to meeting you and hearing what’s important to you.

🎓 The Malden Public Schools’ RISE program is near and dear to me. My son, Angelo, attends RISE at Malden High School, so I have the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible work happening there every day.

Yesterday, I attended the Pathways & RISE Senior Ceremony, where we celebrated students who reached the finish line on their own terms. It was a powerful reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education.

The Pathways Program provides an alternative educational track for students who need a different path to earn their diploma. By combining academics with counseling, job training, and real-world learning opportunities, Pathways helps students stay engaged and connected while preparing for life after high school.

RISE (Recognizing Individual Success Every Day) supports students with individualized educational and life-skills programming, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to achieve their goals and build independent, fulfilling lives.

As educators and community leaders, our responsibility is to meet students where they are. Programs like Pathways and RISE recognize that success looks different for every student, and they create opportunities for young people to thrive in ways that work best for them.

None of this would be possible without the extraordinary educators, counselors, and education support professionals who dedicate themselves to these students every day. There is never a dry eye in the room as staff share stories of perseverance, resilience, and determination. The journeys may be different, but the accomplishment is the same: these students earned their diplomas through hard work, grit, and an unwavering commitment to their futures.

Congratulations to all of the graduates. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Your stories are a testament to the power of opportunity, support, and believing in every student’s potential.💙💛

The gray skies and rain feel fitting for the somberness of this holiday. Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the true cost of freedom and the sacrifice made by so many for the liberties we enjoy today.

As a Blue Star Mom myself, Memorial Day carries a deeper meaning. It’s a reminder that while some families wait anxiously for phone calls, homecomings, and safe returns, other families carry the unimaginable weight of loss every single day.

Today, we honor the fallen, remember their families, and offer our deepest gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. May we never forget the cost of freedom. 🇺🇸

This past week, the School Committee Finance Subcommittee received the proposed FY2027 Malden Public Schools budget totaling $102,147,688.

The proposed breakdown includes:
• Proposed Salaries: $76,876,880.48
• Proposed Operations & Maintenance: $25,270,807.52.

The school budget remains the largest portion of the City’s overall budget, reflecting both the scale of our district and the importance of investing in public education. These decisions impact classrooms, staffing, student services, transportation, programming, and the day-to-day experiences of thousands of Malden students and families.

Having chaired the School Committee Finance Subcommittee for the past four years, I understand both the complexity of the budget process and the responsibility that comes with stewarding taxpayer dollars. Budget discussions are never simply about numbers on a page, they are about priorities, equity, accountability, and making sure students receive the support and opportunities they deserve.

As we continue hearing that schools must be funded according to the state’s net school spending requirements, we also need to remain thoughtful and intentional about how every dollar is spent. Meeting minimum requirements alone should never be the goal. Our focus must always remain on ensuring student needs are at the center of every decision.

One important proposed addition from the Superintendent is a 4th Special Education Program Manager focused specifically on teaching and instruction. This recommendation comes following the special education audit, which highlighted the need for stronger support around differentiating curriculum and ensuring all students have access to rigorous, high-quality instruction that meets their individual needs.

The proposed budget also highlights several priorities, including:
• Additional special education instructional supports and coaching
• Increased consistency in middle school programming across schools
• Expanded support for 9th grade math instruction at Malden High School
• Continued investments in inclusive practices and equitable access to resources
• Ongoing support for multilingual learners and co-teaching models
• Maintaining after-school enrichment opportunities for students

The district’s proposed FY27 budget represents a 3.5% increase over FY26 and continues to balance rising operational costs while meeting the state’s required net school spending target.

I encourage residents, families, educators, and community members to take time to review the proposed budget and ask questions. Transparency and community engagement matter, especially when discussing investments that directly impact our students and schools. The next meeting of the Finance Subcommittee is Wednesday, May 20th at 6:30pm.
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1778856427/maldenpsorg/bj89hl0ahq5vu84skr6g/May14ProposedBudgetBookV11.pdf

As we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to share my heartfelt gratitude to the incredible educators across our district.

Every day, our teachers show up with patience, dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to our students. The impact you make extends far beyond the classroom walls. You inspire confidence, nurture growth, and help shape the future of our community.

While Teacher Appreciation Week may be coming to an end, our gratitude for all that you do continues throughout the entire year. Thank you for your service, your passion, and the difference you make in the lives of students and families each and every day.

I’m proud to announce that I am running for Mayor of Malden. On Friday, April 24th, the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance formally approved the organization of our committee, officially launching our campaign and taking the first step towards building a stronger, more connected city.

Malden is a strong and vibrant community, and I believe we have an opportunity to come together with leadership that prioritizes trust, accountability, and open communication. I’m stepping forward because I’ve seen how important it is for residents to feel informed, included, and confident in the decisions being made on their behalf. When communication breaks down, trust follows, and I believe we can and must do better.

Every resident deserves to understand how their tax dollars are being spent and how decisions are made at City Hall. These are not small details and in fact, the very foundation of good government. When people feel informed, included and heard, it strengthens our entire community and leads to better, more thoughtful decision making.

I’ve had the honor of serving Malden for the past eight years on the School Committee, representing Ward 3, including four years as Vice Chairwoman. During that time, I’ve chaired the Finance Committee, where I worked to promote responsible budgeting and long term planning. I’ve led two superintendent search committees during critical moments for our district, participated in successful contract negotiations with the Malden Education Association as well as SEIU Local 888 custodians, cafeteria workers, and clerical staff and brought in a new food service vendor that improved the quality of school lunches across the district.

These experiences have given me a deep understanding of how to bring people together, navigate complex challenges, and deliver results for our community. I’ve focused on fiscal responsibility, thoughtful policy adoption, and advancing equity in special education. That work has always been grounded in a simple belief. Every resident and every family deserves to feel supported, heard, and valued.

My campaign will focus on fiscal responsibility, identifying new and sustainable revenue opportunities, advocating for strong and reliable educational funding, and ensuring consistent, open communication with residents. I believe we can be both fiscally responsible and forward thinking, making smart investments while being transparent about how and why decisions are made. I am prepared to make the tough decisions when necessary and to lead Malden through challenging times with honesty and clarity.

My decision to enter public service was deeply personal. I first got involved in politics as a parent trying to be heard. As a mother of a child with autism, I experienced how important it is for every voice to be recognized and valued and how frustrating it can be when it is not. That experience continues to guide my work and fuels my commitment to making sure no family feels overlooked or left out of the conversation.

This campaign will be rooted in listening and engagement. We are going to meet residents where they are, knock on doors across every neighborhood, and hear directly from the people who make Malden what it is. I believe that by working together with openness, respect, and a shared sense of purpose, we can build a stronger connection between City Hall and our community and move Malden forward.

If you would like to support this campaign, you can learn more or make a contribution at:

Jenn Spadafora for Mayor | Committee to Elect Jennifer Spadafora (Powered by Donorbox)