Malden High students choose Jason Dutale as School Committee student representative

The Malden School Committee on Oct. 6 introduced Jason Dutale as the district's student representative and seven student advisory committee members selected by Malden High School students.

The student advisory committee, required by Massachusetts law, is meant to advise the committee on topics affecting the high school. Committee Chair Spadafore said the group will meet internally and monthly with the chair, the superintendent and other district leaders to raise concerns or highlight strengths at Malden High School.

Jason Dutale, a junior and the newly chosen student representative, told the committee he joined the advisory group to make sure Malden High does not fall into the kinds of problems he saw at his previous school in Lynn. "I heard that they can give their opinions as to what's going on at the school," Dutale said. He said he hopes the role will allow students to raise issues and recommend fixes.

Also introduced were alternate representative Gabriela Perini Cordova and advisory members Kiara Selicourt, Cameron Crawford, Angela Lam, Sophia Chen and Naomi Yohanes, all listed as members of the class of 2027 or 2026. Chair Spadafore said the alternate will attend when the representative cannot and a student secretary will record the committee's internal meetings.

The committee did not take a formal vote to appoint the students during the Oct. 6 public session; Spadafore said the students were selected by their peers at Malden High School and will begin attending monthly meetings.

The student advisory committee is expected to bring routine school-level feedback to the School Committee and to meet with district leaders in advance of public School Committee sessions.