Malden Candidate Profile: Dawn Macklin For School Committee

MALDEN, MA — The municipal election is fast approaching in Malden, and the School Committee has multiple candidates vying for an open seat.

Malden Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to November.

Incumbent Dawn Macklin is running again to represent Ward 4 on the School Committee.

Age

60

Position sought

Malden School Committee, Ward 4

Party affiliation

Democrat

Family

Husband, Wallace, Daughter and three grandsons reside in NC.

Education

Lincoln University of PA (HBCU), Bunker Hill Community College, Associate Degree, Sociology, May 2025 (high honors). Currently enrolled at Bridgewater State University to complete Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Studies.

Occupation

Residential Property Management.

Previous or Current Elected Office

Malden School Committee, two terms 2022-2023, 2024-2025.

Campaign Website

https://www.bing.com/fd/ls/GLi...

Why are you seeking elected office?

Malden Public Schools have come a long way but there is still so much more work to do to ensure Massachusetts’ most diverse public school system has equitable, fair access and resources for all of our student learners. We need to meet the individual need of each child.

The single most-pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is

FUNDING and this is what I intend to do about it. We must continue to put pressure on our legislative leaders to change the chapter 70 formula to reduce Malden’s minimum mandatory contribution.

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates seeking this post?

I am not familiar with my challenger, only having met her recently. However, some of the key differences I can point to is that I bring proven experience, continuous community engagement, and a long-standing passion for this work. I have been twice elected to the Malden School Committee, serving Ward 4 since 2021 and I was also twice elected to the Malden Democratic City Committee, where I was additionally elected Affirmative Action and Outreach Chair my first term. My challenger has never held elected office.

I have real-life experience with both the 504 and IEP process as my grandson is on the ASD. I have helped others navigate the SPED process as well, sitting in on meetings long before I was ever elected to office. I work with caretakers across the wards who know me from my work as vice chair on the Malden Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission or as the co-founder of Merry Malden. This community knows I show up, do the work and deliver on day one.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I want to see our attendance improve and to do so we must identify new ways to significantly lower the chronic absenteeism, particularly at the high school level. Also, I realize testing is not the only tool that should be used to determine competency, however, we really must improve our scores and offer additional supports to those students identified as struggling. I would further love to organize and host a career and college fair in Malden that would also include HBCUs. I hear from many students that they were not aware or informed about opportunities and pathways beyond Malden High School. That must change. Many students also report they have not had any or very few teachers of color or other intersectional identities and/or experiences. That must also change for the most diverse public school system in Massachusetts. It has been shown that student outcomes significantly improve when they see themselves reflected in their classrooms and that includes both with the teachers and curricula. It gives students a sense of belonging and promotes cultural understanding.

The best advice ever shared with me

Never let the bad days win.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am ready to continue this work and am looking forward to earning your support and vote once again on Tuesday, November 4th.

See Also:

Melrose Candidate Profile: Camarie Clark For School Committee