Malden committee appoints Everett teacher Sean Salazar as liaison to Northeast Metro Tech after split vote

The Malden School Committee on Jan. 28 interviewed two candidates and then appointed Sean Salazar as the city’s liaison to the Northeast Metro Tech Regional Vocational High School board.

Sean Salazar, a DESE‑certified Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts instructor at Everett High School with more than six years of classroom experience and two decades in the culinary and events industry, told the committee he would begin with a “listening tour” to engage industry partners, advisory councils and postsecondary institutions so programs remain aligned with workforce needs and student goals. “It’s about supporting the student,” Salazar said, advocating for parity of support for both college‑ and career‑bound students.

The committee first considered Leonard Iovino, a former 16‑year member of the Malden School Committee who said he would serve the remainder of the four‑year term but did not intend to run in 2028. Iovino emphasized knowledge of committee duties and the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with the vocational school’s administration and community. He also said he opposed cellphones in the classroom as an unnecessary distraction.

Councillors and committee members questioned both candidates about ensuring fair admission through the Northeast Metro Tech lottery system, making programs inclusive for students with diverse needs and cultural backgrounds, and how to keep curriculum responsive to local employment trends. Salazar described existing advisory councils and industry input as ongoing mechanisms and said artificial intelligence should be taught and used as a resource, not as a replacement for trade skills.

Ms. Spadafora moved to recommend Leonard Iovino; Mr. Drummey seconded. The roll call vote recorded in the transcript was: Mayor Christenson — Yes; Councillor Amanda Linehan — No; Mr. Drummey — Yes; Mr. McCarthy — Absent; Ms. Spadafora — Yes; Ms. Macklin — No; Ms. Hortie — No; Mr. Piazza — No; Mr. Bernard — No; Ms. Rose‑Zeiberg — No. The motion failed on the roll call (three yes, six no, one absent).

Following that vote, Ms. Spadafora moved to recommend Sean Salazar. The transcript states that motion passed unanimously; no roll call for the second motion is recorded in the text. The committee then adjourned at 6:57 p.m.

The appointments procedure follows Malden’s contract with Northeast Metro Tech, which states the School Committee and a city councillor jointly appoint a member to serve until the next city election; the last election for this four‑year seat was 2024, so the next scheduled election is 2028. Mr. McCarthy was noted as absent from the interview session because he is employed by Northeast Metro Tech and therefore did not participate in the vote.

The committee’s selection sends an educator with current classroom experience to the regional vocational board; Salazar indicated he plans to engage advisory councils, employers and higher education partners to keep programs aligned with job market demands and student postsecondary plans.

Next steps recorded in the meeting minutes: the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded per the existing contract process to fill the representative seat on the Northeast Metro Tech board.