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Parent urges Malden School Committee not to renew superintendent’s contract, cites credential and staffing concerns
Summary
A community member urged the School Committee to refrain from offering a new contract to Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy, citing unresolved questions about a doctorate credential, past hiring decisions and dozens of grievances filed since recent staffing changes.
At the Jan. 8 Malden School Committee meeting, resident Amy Friedman urged the committee not to offer Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy a new contract, laying out concerns about credentials, past hiring, nonrenewals and complaints.
"The public has yet to see proof that Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy has a doctorate degree," Friedman said, noting that transcripts from the University of Salamanca were reportedly provided to the committee but withheld from the public because of legal proceedings. "Over a year later now, the public has yet to see proof."
Friedman also recounted that when the superintendent was headmaster at Boston English School she recommended hiring a Dean of Students whom she said later was convicted in a shooting. Friedman acknowledged the superintendent was not held legally responsible in civil court but said the episode raised questions about vetting during hiring.
She described staff nonrenewals and an educator walkout in 2022, saying more than 60 grievances have since been filed and that a Department of Labor Relations complaint is pending related to an alleged lockout of the MEA president in 2023. "In 2022, MPS students organized a massive walkout... students called for her removal and the MEA had a vote of no‑confidence," Friedman said.
Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy was present for the public comment, and later gave the district report; there was no formal committee vote on a contract during the meeting.
The committee did not take immediate action on the contract question during the session; Mayor Christenson later said he and Vice‑Chair Spadafora have met with the superintendent and will work with her on a transition at the end of the school year.
