School Committee adopts Fishtank English curriculum
The Malden School Committee voted unanimously to adopt the nonprofit Fishtank Learning curriculum for ninth and tenth grade English, rejecting StudySync over cost and embedded artificial intelligence features.
School Committee · Meeting of April 6, 2026
MALDEN — The Malden School Committee voted unanimously to adopt the nonprofit Fishtank Learning curriculum for ninth and tenth grade English, rejecting StudySync over cost and embedded artificial intelligence features. Assistant Superintendent Bassin said a one-year Fishtank license and books would cost about $35,000, versus $76,100 for StudySync; five-year costs were $87,326 and $207,733, respectively. Consultant Jenna Ruffo of Empower Ed told the committee that 74 percent of Malden students with IEPs are in full inclusion settings, above the state target, but inclusion drops sharply in high school.
Chair Gary Christenson said the city's structural deficit remains "roughly the same...of $8 to $9 million" despite a recent correction to net school spending figures, and the committee tabled a financial management review resolution after the city applied for one itself. Spadafora also won referral of two warrant and budget-transfer policies to the Policy Subcommittee over compliance concerns.
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Source: the School Committee meeting of April 6, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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