MHS Graduation photo highlights
Vol. 20, No. 23
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Friday, June 9, 2017
Malden High graduates 446 at Macdonald Stadium By Barbara Taormina he Class of 2017 did Malden proud on Sunday as the 446 graduates walked across the stage at Macdonald Stadium to receive a diploma and a handshake from school and city leaders. The stands were packed with family, friends and fans of the graduates, who seemed completely at ease with the idea that they were winding up a major part of their lives and heading into a future of unknown possibilities and challenges. “You are about to begin a long and successful journey and we are proud of each and every one of you,� said Mayor Gary Christensen, looking out at the field of faces framed by Malden-blue caps and gowns. Four years at the most ethnically and racially diverse high school in the state seems to have given the graduating class a keen sense of how to
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navigate the world and its social and cultural complexities. Class Valedictorian Cleverina Cong, who will now head off to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study computer science and management, told fellow graduates to celebrate their diversity and everything they’ve learned because of it. Cong said that she has learned over the past four years that playing it safe isn’t always the best choice. “Take a chance, take a leap, take a risk, take an L.,� she said. “Then take a bow.� Principal Ted Lombardi is a Malden native but this was his first year in the head office at The 446 elated Class of 2017 Malden High School graduates throw their caps into the air at Malden High School and his Macdonald Stadium Sunday. (Advocate photo by Ross Scabin) first chance to be part of the Lombardi described the They are leaving Malden High an appreciation for relationofficial send-off for a graduatgraduates as high achiev- with plenty of accomplish- ships that make it work better. ing class. “They are worldly kids,� said “It was a great class for me ers who are well-rounded ments, awards and GPAs to to come into and have them and always willing to jump in brag about. But they are also Lombardi. “They went through teach me the ropes,� he said to support school and com- heading out with an under- a lot and they have a sense that munity projects and events. standing of how life works and they got through it together. with a laugh.
School officials propose a “responsible� balanced budget By Barbara Taormina chool officials have proposed a $69.2 million balanced budget that avoids layoffs and cuts
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and keeps programs and services intact. A public hearing on the School Department’s budget proposal will be held on June 19 at 6 p.m. at the Senor Center. This week Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Grandson IV, Malden Public Schools Finance Director/Business Manager Toni Mertz and members of the School Committee met with the Finance Committee to review next year’s numbers. And unlike other school budget meetings in years past, the conversation was cordial. “This is one of the most responsible budgets I’ve seen,�
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said Ward 6 Councillor Neil Kinnon. “It’s a remarkable budget to come in at this number and maintain services.� Grandson introduced the budget with the good news first. “One of the things this budget accomplishes, and we see this this as an accomplishment, is there are no layoffs,� he told the Finance Committee. “It’s pretty much level service in what we are able to provide to students.� But the school district still faces financial challenges. Special Education costs will increase by $2.6 million next year. Special Education programs and services account for 37 percent of the to-
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tal school budget proposed for 2018. “We have more than doubled our number of student with severe needs because of the diagnoses of autism,� said Assistant Superintendent Carol Keenan. Special Education transportation costs will also increase from $1.9 million to $2.6 million, about $600,000 more than school officials anticipated. A new facilities manager and increases in overtime pay and supplies for custodians will add about $325,000 to the cost of maintaining city school buildings next year. While the 2018 budget proposal represents a 2.6 percent increase over this year’s $67.3 million school budget, the new funding will be needed to cover
mandated and essential costs. During the school year, parents and educators developed a list of priorities that included restoring three librarians to the individual school libraries, hiring three health teachers for grades K-8, establishing a district-wide gifted and talented student program and hiring security personnel for the high school during evening hours. Grandson said there is no money in next year’s budget to pay for those and other priorities set by the community, but the administration can pursue alternative funding such as foundation grants. Grandson, who was hired last summer as an interim superin-
BUDGET | SEE PAGE 15