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School Committee orders comprehensive audit of special education services, report due April 6, 2026
Summary
The Malden School Committee unanimously authorized an internal audit of Special Education services to examine IEP delivery, staffing, licensure and compliance; the committee said it may seek external support if substantial issues are found and asked for findings by April 6, 2026.
The Malden School Committee voted unanimously on Nov. 10 to conduct a comprehensive audit of the district’s Special Education services, with a written report due to the committee by April 6, 2026.
The motion, made by School Committee member Ms. Spadafora and seconded by Ms. Macklin, directs the district to review IEP development and delivery, service grids, staffing levels, staff licensure and professional development, and compliance with state and federal requirements. The motion also calls for examining collaboration among educators, related service providers and families and for recommending changes the district should consider.
Ms. Spadafora said recent classroom visits with the superintendent and district leaders prompted the proposal. She described reviews of intensive learning programs and said the audit would be conducted internally at no initial cost; however, she said the committee should consider hiring an external consultant if the internal work finds significant gaps. The committee approved the motion on a roll call vote with all members voting yes.
Superintendent Sippel framed the audit as consistent with the district’s broader goals for special‑education review and said the effort will help the district prepare for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) scheduled audit in 2026–2027, which focuses on Group A universal standards such as student identification, IEP development and programming.
The motion lists several concerns that the audit will examine, including classroom sizes, the number of students receiving special education services, qualifications of staff providing instruction under IEPs or waivers, and whether services listed in plans are consistently delivered. No changes to services or staffing were announced at the meeting; the committee limited its action on Nov. 10 to authorizing the audit and setting the reporting deadline.
The committee did not specify a budget for potential external support; Ms. Spadafora said outside help would be considered only if internal review surfaces significant issues. The committee’s action ensures an internal review is underway and requires the district to present findings and recommendations to the School Committee by April 6, 2026.
