Laps for Leslie, a Malden Author and More

Today is Monday, May 9. Here are five things you need to know:

Chance of rain today: The National Weather Service says it’ll be windy and slightly cooler today, with a 40 percent chance of rain.

School budget proposal nearly set: The School Budget Committee met Monday afternoon, and the prognosis for next year continues to be optimistic. If the state’s numbers hold, the proposed fiscal 2012 budget will maintain the same basic services as this year—aside from some minor changes—and won’t require any teacher layoffs. Superintendent Sidney Smith said the budget fits within Mayor Richard Howard’s range for the school budget. The plan also includes a pay increase for teachers, who will get a 1 percent bump halfway through the fiscal year, and another 1 percent at the year’s end. Layoff letters will go out this week as a precaution against a last minute shift in projected state or city funding.

Local kid makes good: Congratulations to Malden native and Boston College management school student Susan Choy, who recently won a prestigious service award. Choy was awarded the Donald Brown Award for service to the African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American community.

Do it for Leslie: There’s still time to sponsor a student in today’s Laps for Leslie event at MacDonald Stadium. The proceeds benefit the Leslie Ann Razzino Scholarship Fund of Malden High School. You can cheer on the participants starting at 3 p.m..

Readings from a Maldonian: Malden author C. Andrew Martin will speak at the library today. Martin wrote “Reflections of a loving partner: Caregiving at the End of Life,” a book on palliative care for patients. He’s the latest author in the library’s spring author series, and the second to speak this week. The reading starts at 7 p.m..

To find more things to do today, check out our event listings.