School Budget Proposal Includes 37 Layoffs

Blaming state mandates and a sudden drop in federal funding, the Malden School Committee is seeking to cut 37 positions from the district this year to fill a $1.5 million deficit in the $56 million budget.

“These were very, very agonizing decisions, and (Committee member) Adam (Weldai) and I realize as elected officials that we have to make tough calls,” Committee member Leonard V. Iovino said. “This was not an attempt to micromanage the schools or cause pain...it was a difficult process, but a process we had to do.”

According to the Boston Globe, the final plan takes a science, math, English, history and business teacher out of the high school, while avoiding hitting staff in the K-8 range, which faces a “baby boom” of students, Superintendent David DeRuosi said.

Other positions cut include paraprofessionals, some technical staff and a secretary. 

Weldai said the committee would go into greater detail about the cuts during a June 18 public hearing. After that, the board would vote on the final budget during their June 25 meeting.