What does it mean to be a principal? A principal is someone who acts from a foundation of courage, leads with a passionate heart, and has unwavering care for every single student and staff member that steps into their building. A principal is not driven by fear or the winds of intimidation, as they act as a protector to the faculty and students that make up the living and breathing ecosystem that is a school. Principal is the title that Christopher Mastrangelo has rightfully earned through his endeavours as a person of authority, as well as a person who creates a safe space for students, staff members, and family members in Malden.
Mastrangelo served 18 years at Malden High School, shepherding the school through the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, and working tirelessly to get the school back on track through both academics and culture. After all of that, he was informed the day before Thanksgiving that his contract would not be renewed. Mastrangelo followed up with an e-mail to the Malden High staff informing them of the decision. This caused an unsettled environment at Malden High School, as he was only one year away from retirement.
As an act of civil disobedience, students conducted a peaceful walkout, with support from the Malden Educator Association (MEA), to protest this decision approved by the current Superintendent, Dr. Timothy Sippel. A petition in favor of a new, one-year contract for Mastrangelo was signed with almost 800 signatures from the Malden community. This is a demonstration of the sheer impact that was felt throughout the city as their values were disregarded, watching a devoted member of their community be treated so disrespectfully.
The core values of journalism lie in the silent pledge one must take before fully committing to the duty of serving the community. It is essential that journalists provide their audience with media that is ethical, truthful, and most importantly, compassionate through displays of humanity. A similar pledge is taken when one decides to step into the principal position. The environment that Mastrangelo fosters at Malden High is built upon this unspoken promise, with such values being highlighted during the school committee meeting by junior Frankie Marenghi-Pellino, who confidently affirmed that “the principal I know and love taught us to stand up for those who need it, rally around those you love, and call out what’s wrong—and this is wrong.”
The past four years of our careers as journalists have taught us a multitude of lessons that have molded us into where we are today. The biggest one yet has been how it is our responsibility to maintain grit even through times of adversity in search of truth. We acknowledge the gravity of the situation, but we remain loyal to our duty to report with integrity, accuracy, and fairness even when it is difficult. As devastated as we are to say goodbye to Mastrangelo, we are confident in the immense impact that he has had on us and the Malden community and in doing so, we hope to carry on his legacy and let the world know the impact that our principal has had on our community.
Throughout history the press has watched and reported on the government’s actions calling out their fallacies and acted as an additional check on governmental power. Our position as journalists has remained the same since the 18th century allowing us to hold accountability to the leaders who shape our country, our city, and schools. We have made sure the full story was told to the best of our ability regarding Mastrangelo’s contract. Journalism does not only impact the transparency of our articles, but makes better leaders as we bring to light actions that normally could go unnoticed and have great ramifications. It often can simplify complex topics so the general public can truly understand what is taking place. Then the leaders have to be consistent.
Despite the effort, this demonstration did not affect the Superintendent’s decision. Dr. Sippel made it evidently clear that his decision was set in stone after a series of Parent and Student Square posts were sent regarding the non-renewal of principal Mastrangelo’s contract.
Richard Tivnan, a social studies teacher at Malden High for 17 years, shared his voice regarding the situation with Mastrangelo at the school committee meeting’s open forum on December 8th, 2025. “I want to take you back to December 2017. A week before our winter break, the then-principal announced by email that he would not be returning to the school after vacation. The shock in the building was immediate. The students and staff were left feeling uncertain and unstable. Our school felt rudderless. That same afternoon, Chris was asked to step in to be interim principal. He didn’t hesitate. He simply said yes because the school needed him.”
We, the editors of The Blue and Gold, cannot turn a blind eye to Mastrangelo’s contract non-renewal when they actively contradict our values. It is contrary to the impact that we strive to have on the community every day, transparency. The public still has not been given a reason for this decision.
Transparency is a key factor that was lacking throughout this entire process of termination. Transparency for staff, for students, for parents, and for Malden. We all felt shut out by this decision, and our question of “why is this happening?” will seemingly never be answered. We have been told that it’s inappropriate and outside of the bounds of legality, leaving the environment unsettled and continually searching for answers that are unobtainable.
As a community we have felt unheard and been disheartened to know that no matter our efforts, not even a thought could be put back into the decision that was made. We continue to pledge that we will hold the powers that govern us accountable for their actions and shed light on actions that affect our entire community. If there had been any transparency about the decision or a concern for the timing, knowing the history of Malden High School principalship, the community would not have felt so disrespected and hurt by what happened. There was no regard for the Malden community and felt like a business deal more than a shift in leadership.
We hope that reconciliation and restoration can be brought into Malden as the change in leadership is ever evolving.
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