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School officials say Chapter 70 formula is flawed as budget gap narrows to about $1 million
Summary
Budget Subcommittee members said Chapter 70 aid rose by roughly $600,000 and combined increases including the city's contribution total about $3.5 million; Ms. Spadafora said earlier $8 million figures referenced at City Council have been revised and the remaining shortfall is now in the ~$1 million range, and the subcommittee will continue work with state officials.
Budget Subcommittee member Jennifer Spadafora reported on March 4 that Chapter 70 state aid for Malden has increased by a little over $600,000 and that total increases including the city contribution amount to about $3.5 million. Spadafora said she and Mayor Christenson met Feb. 22 in Boston with state education officials, including Assistant Secretary Tom Moreau, and with state legislators to discuss flaws in the Chapter 70 funding formula for Malden.
Spadafora said she had earlier referenced an $8 million figure at a City Council meeting but that the district's remaining shortfall has been refined and is now in the roughly $1 million range. She said Finance and Operations Director Ms. Mertz is working with Superintendent Noriega‑Murphy and principals to review budget items and distinguish needs from wants.
Spadafora cited multiple cost pressures the district faces — inflation, higher interest rates, rising out‑of‑district placements, transportation costs, and salary increases — and warned these trends have contributed to higher expenditures.
Spadafora also told the Committee that legal costs have risen amid repeated Open Meeting Law (OML) complaints and frequent public records requests; she said those litigations and complaints are contributing to increased legal spending but did not provide a line‑item figure at the meeting.
What happens next: the Budget Subcommittee will meet March 11 to continue budget work; the Committee invited the City Strategy Officer to speak at that meeting to explain how the funding formula affects the schools and the city.
