Site targets Swampscott’s Malone

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.”