SWAMPSCOTT – Superintendent Matthew Malone presented a seven-page written response to a vote of no confidence taken by the Swampscott Education Association (SEA) last month.At the School Committee meeting Thursday evening, Malone explained he prepared the written response at the request of the School Committee. According to the statement issued by the SEA in June, it voted 138-6 to announce it has no confidence in Superintendent Matthew Malone.In his response Malone noted he was disappointed in how the SEA handled the matter but he also expressed a commitment to building a stronger relationship with the union.”Personally, I am disappointed in the actions of the SEA,” he wrote. “How they conducted the vote and how they chose to send their letter straight to the media once school had ended for the year without providing me with a copy or the common courtesy to alert me of their intent.”Malone’s written statement addressed each issue and grievance raised by the SEA in its no confidence statement.According to the SEA, reasons given by teachers for the vote of no confidence included overspending on seminars and for “retaining more administrative staff than necessary.””Dr. Malone has overspent on expensive trips to seminars and conferences, memberships in professional organizations, highly paid outside consultants, packaged educational products and poorly conceived professional development,” the statement read. “He has failed to reserve money for hiring and retaining the best teachers and essential services.”In his rebuttal, Malone said professional development is expensive but it is an investment that is a “research-based strategy to improve our ability to effectively engage our student learners in quality educational practices.”Another criticism by the SEA was that “the frequent turnover of administrative teams at the high school and middle school adds to the chaotic planning environment.”In his response Malone noted the current leadership is stable and he denied SEA allegations that he is retaining more administrative staff than necessary.”The SEA has been calling for the elimination of administrators from the Swampscott Public Schools since before my tenure,” he wrote. “Administrators increase accountability – they are the quality control mechanism of our industry.”The union also criticized Malone for micro-managing the schools, which he disputed.”Hiring and staffing decisions that belong to the building principals are being made and changed by Dr. Malone,” the SEA statement said. “Jobs are posted, eliminated, reposted and changed again before thorough needs assessments are done?”In his response to the SEA, Malone said the principals hire the faculty and staff for their respective schools.””I negotiate salary and I am the final hiring authority,” he wrote. “My leadership team and I decide what positions are needed and we post them accordingly.”According to the union, Malone frequently ignored the agreement between the SEA and School Committee.”Dr. Malone has been arbitrary and disrespectful in his treatment of faculty, staff and coaches, even those who have given their entire career to the Swampscott School system,” the union statement reads.Malone said conflict is inherent in collective bargaining agreements because the needs of the students and district are often at odds with the needs of the employees covered by the contract. As for allegations he has been disrespectful, Malone said it is his policy not to discuss personnel matters in public but the collective bargaining agreement clearly outlines grievance procedures to deal with disputes.Malone proposed developing a Superintendent’s Council, which would meet on a monthly basis to discuss district issues. He also said he would like to encourage more teacher involvement and he would make time to meet with teachers in the schools.”I have no ill will towards the members of the SEA as a result of this action,” he stated. “The teachers in our schools are good people doing good wo