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Malden candidates outline school funding, housing and local climate plans ahead of Nov. 4 election
Summary
City and school committee candidates at a Malden community forum presented platforms on school funding and libraries, housing affordability, a citywide electricity-buying program and infrastructure concerns; several candidates highlighted diversity and student mental-health supports.
At a community forum ahead of the Nov. 4 election, candidates for Malden City offices and the Malden School Committee presented competing priorities focused on education, housing affordability and local climate and infrastructure programs.
Peter Piazza, a first-time candidate for the School Committee in Ward 6 and a parent of two Malden Public Schools students, said his top priority is bringing community perspectives to school decisions. "I want to be that voice that represents the community in the places where decisions are made," Piazza said, and he cited dual-language instruction, mental-health supports and library access as issues he would press the committee to address.
Kimberly Marie Gillette, running for the School Committee in Ward 1, stressed volunteer work in local PTOs and said libraries remain under-resourced, promising to "speak out against the status quo" and press for accountability in school funding and stronger support for educators.
Abeera Naba, a Ward 4 School Committee candidate, emphasized diversity and mental-health programming, noting Malden High School serves students who speak "70 different languages." Naba said she would pursue grants and partnerships to supplement state funding and propose cultural events and peer-support programs to promote inclusion.
On the city side, incumbent Councilor at large Carrie McDonald promoted three priorities: sustainability, affordability and inclusivity. McDonald highlighted Malden Community Electricity, a bulk-purchasing program she sponsored, saying it "has saved our residents millions on their utility bills," and pointed to the city's Climate Action Plan as the road map for reducing greenhouse gases and improving resilience.
Muhammad Abutaha, a candidate for council at large who described his background as an immigrant and long-term resident, framed his platform around housing affordability and immigrant inclusion, saying Malden's diversity ("over 60 languages," he said) is a strength and promising support for rent stabilization, after-school and summer youth programs and pedestrian safety improvements near schools.
Solomon Davidoff, seeking a council-at-large seat, emphasized fiscal responsibility and better council communication. He urged the council to protect core services and warned a forthcoming trash contract "is going to cost us over $2,000,000 that we don't currently have," arguing budget choices must prioritize first responders, teachers and essential staff.
Incumbent Councilor Karen Colon Hayes outlined a record of neighborhood organizing and city service, noting work on affordable-housing projects (she cited 14 units at Bread of Life) and ARPA-related housing initiatives. She also highlighted plans for the Malden River Works revitalization and continued support for youth engagement programs.
Together, the candidates offered overlapping proposals on education supports, housing and infrastructure; none announced formal endorsements or binding commitments beyond campaign priorities. Voters in Malden will decide on Nov. 4 which candidates will fill the contested seats.
