Candidates at a Malden School Committee forum described a range of proposals to make schools more accessible to working parents and newly enrolled families, highlighting recent Welcome Center renovations and ongoing gaps in language access and outreach.

Candidates praised recent physical upgrades to the district’s welcome center while arguing more is needed. Peter Piazza noted the renovated space now includes "board books and toys for kids to play with so that parents can come in and meet with district personnel," and urged broader publicity about the Welcome Center's services.

Several candidates recommended more flexible outreach: monthly or more frequent check-ins with parents, office hours for school committee members, evening or virtual options for meetings, and use of ParentSquare and other translation tools so messages reach families in their preferred languages. Elizabeth Hordy and others said the ParentSquare app has increased their engagement and that the district should continue to expand digital and in-person touchpoints.

Candidates also suggested improvements to intake and referral materials at the Welcome Center so families leave with a clear next step: contact names for common issues, lists of available resources and streamlined registration steps. Sharon Rose Iberg said the committee regularly reviews registration policy and asked residents to report problems so staff can address barriers.

Why it matters: Candidates tied parent engagement to student outcomes, arguing that two-way communication and culturally accessible outreach can increase attendance, reduce isolation and improve trust between families and schools.

The forum was hosted by local community groups and moderated by Lehi Wing.