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Site targets Swampscott's Malone

By Debra Glidden / The Daily Item

SWAMPSCOTT - It's time for residents to have their say regarding whether they have faith in Superintendent Matthew Malone, according to one parent.

The Swampscott Education Association recently took a vote (138-6) of no confidence in Malone and shortly thereafter the School Committee took a vote and gave Malone its full support.

Kelly Cunningham, who has a child in the district, said parents and taxpayers should be given an opportunity to express whether they have confidence in Malone's ability to lead the district.

Cunningham has established a Web site at www.maloneyesno.com.

The Web site affords residents the opportunity to sign one of two petitions, which will be presented to the School Committee next month. The petition in support of Malone, which reads, "The citizens of Swampscott below hereby express their confidence in Doctor Matthew Malone's management of the Swampscott School System," had 20 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon.

The other petition is in support of the teachers' union vote of no confidence Malone and has six signatures. That petition reads, "The citizens of Swampscott below hereby express their agreement with and support for the Swampscott Education Association vote of 'no confidence' in Doctor Matthew Malone's management of the Swampscott School System."
Cunningham said only the names of legal Swampscott residents 18 years or older will be added to either of the petitions and anyone signing must list their home address. He said all signatures would be verified before being added to the petition.

On the site there is also an instant poll that asks residents to vote on whether they have confidence in Malone's management of the district. As of Tuesday afternoon, 130 residents answered the poll with 55 expressing faith in Malone's leadership. The poll and petitions will close July 31 and the results of the petition will be forwarded to the School Committee.

Cunningham said the petition is a way to allow parents to express their opinions to Malone, the School Committee and SEA in a non-confrontational manner.

"Both sides will know and understand what they have to do to improve things," he said. "I would hope this would show both parties that neither is perfect and they have to find a way to work together to benefit the kids."

Cunningham said he was very careful not to post his opinion or any commentary on the site.

"My opinion is not expressed anywhere," he said. "I've heard a lot of complaints about Malone and a lot of complaints about the union. I wanted to know where the sentiment was - whether it was pro-Malone, pro-union or split down the middle. My guess would be the truth is somewhere in the middle and neither side is going to come out smelling like a rose."

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Reader Comments

Comments so far on this story:

swampfresh wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:38 AM:

" I have seen Superintendent Malone treat people who disagree with him with a short curt remark. He rolls his eyes and ignores any differing opinion. His communication skills leave a lot to be desired. I think Neil Bernstein of the school committee hit the nail on the head. He needs to learn to communicate better or send him on his way. "

kellycunningham wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:29 AM:

" I did notice one other material mistake in the article when I reread it. The result on the poll was not 55 votes in support of Dr. Malone, as stated, rather 55% in support.

Re SAJ's comment, he (or she) is right that the website in itself will not accomplish anything. It is what the principal players in this debate decide to do with the information or sentiment expressed that will really matter. "

massbay wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:59 AM:

" There are Swampscotters who have no confidence in the big-spender Malone, nor the greedy, selfish medieval guild called the teachers' union, nor the wimps at the school committee. Like Boston, the schools should be placed under the control of the selectmen and selectwoman, and the town manager. None of the big three who control schools demonstrate concern for the non-school families (about 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the town population). "

SAJ wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:57 AM:

" It's funny to see that someone who has voiced their own opinion many times within the community has created a website to receive everyone else's. This website won't accomplish anything. "

kellycunningham wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:24 AM:

" The headline on this article is unfortunate. The site IS NOT targeted at Doctor Malone.

Also Big Blueman's comment is misleading, perhaps intentionally. He has posted the same comment on the Reporter website. As I previously response, the site DOES NOT use cookies. Also, the poll is to give the general public a rough idea of where sentiment lies on the issue. Those results will not be presented to the SC. Only the petitions will be presented with validated signatures. All contact information will be deleted afterwards.

Kelly Cunningham "

Big Blueman wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:10 AM:

" The website poll is too easily manipulated by the same person voting from different computers or by deleting your cookies and temporary internet files and then voting again. I would also be careful putting personal information on the petitions because you never know how or where it could be used against you in the future.
What difference does it make what the outcome of the poll is. The school committee has already expressed their support and I am sure they are not going to be swayed by some on line poll. "


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