Ward school candidates stress bilingual education, mental health and library access

At a Malden City candidate forum ahead of the Nov. 4 election, three people running for school committee seats laid out priorities they said they would press for if elected. Peter Piazza, a first-time candidate for Ward 6 and a parent with two children in Malden Public Schools, said he would bring a parent’s perspective and his research background at the Center for Education Policy at UMass to the committee. "I hear about dual language instruction...student mental and emotional health...access to libraries," Piazza said, adding he is running unopposed on Nov. 4.

Kimberly Marie Gillette, running in Ward 1 and a lifelong Malden resident, focused on restoring library access and supporting educators. She said volunteer experience in PTOs and as a small business owner informs her approach. "I will hold elected officials accountable for budget issues affecting our public schools funding formula, city and statewide," Gillette said.

Abeera Naba, a Ward 4 candidate, highlighted diversity and mental-health services as central goals, noting Malden High "speaks 70 different languages." She also flagged city finances tied to the Chapter 70 funding formula and said she would pursue grants and partnerships to increase school resources.

The three candidates emphasized overlapping themes—support for bilingual programs, increased mental-health supports and stronger library staffing—and framed these as responses to classroom and family needs rather than immediate policy changes adopted at the event. None of the presentations included formal votes or motions; they were statements of intent to voters. The next step for these campaigns is the Nov. 4, 2025 election.