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Residents and educators criticize School Committee’s non‑renewal of Malden superintendent’s contract
Summary
Multiple public commenters, educators and a city councillor urged the School Committee to reconsider or publicly justify its decision not to renew Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy’s contract, citing concerns about transparency and potential disruption for vulnerable students.
Dozens of residents, educators and student leaders used the School Committee’s public‑comment period on Feb. 5 to criticize the committee’s decision not to renew Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy’s contract and to urge transparency in the process.
Eden Garhart‑Smith told the committee she was displeased that, after an executive session on the matter, “there was no vote in the public session.” Jackie Ecker, speaking for the Malden Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC), said the organization—representing families of students with IEPs and 504 plans—was not consulted and warned that changing superintendents could negatively affect vulnerable students.
Fern Remedi‑Brown accused local union leadership of targeting the superintendent and said past personnel practices left difficult challenges for Noriega‑Murphy to address. “The contract non‑renewal was non‑transparent and unjust,” Remedi‑Brown said, and she urged the committee to “have Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy’s back.”
Student advisor Aiden Luciano praised Noriega‑Murphy’s work on meeting time‑on‑learning requirements at Malden High School. Community member Mx. Michael Ziemba and Ferryway School educator Cecilia O’Doherty described feeling safer and better supported under the superintendent and asked the committee to examine hiring and firing practices that some attendees said disproportionately affected educators of color.
Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy, who opened her report after public comment, said she had received no warnings about her performance since her hire in July 2021 and pledged to continue her work through June 30. “I am committed to the work, and will continue giving my 110% until June 30th,” she said.
The committee did not reverse its earlier personnel decision during the public meeting. The record shows public comment calling for more transparency and for community involvement in any superintendent selection or onboarding process.
