Stoneham Public Schools, Town of Stoneham Announce Approval of Funding for New Stoneham High School

STONEHAM – Superintendent John Macero and Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan are pleased to announce that Stoneham voters have approved a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion to finance construction of a new Stoneham High School.

More than 80% of the voters approved the financing in a townwide referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

“I am truly thankful for the overwhelming support for the High School Project,” Superintendent Macero said. “When I arrived less than five years ago, the one consistent concern throughout the community was the High School building. On Tuesday night, the town approved this issue to be resolved and I am proud of all the work our School Building Committee has done to bring us to this point in time. I look forward to working with the Committee and continuing our journey to make this project a reality.”

“On Tuesday night, the Town of Stoneham took another step toward a new and improved High School for the community,” Administrator Sheehan said. “I am particularly grateful for all the efforts of the community members and staff who over a period of several years made this opportunity a possibility. The Town will now work with its teams from Perkins+Will, Symmes Maini and McKee Associates, and Consigli Construction to implement the vision approved by the voters.”

The new High School building will be comprised of two wings, connected by Spartan Place on the first floor and a media bridge on the second floor. The east side of the building will house the District Offices, the High School offices, the Pre-Kindergarten Program, with academic classrooms on the second and third floors, a gymnasium with an elevated walking track, and the food service and cafeteria area with access to Spartan Plaza, an outdoor seating area and potential classroom space. The west side of the building will be two stories with a state-of-the-art auditorium, media spaces, music and choral class spaces and maker spaces.

The new High School will be constructed north and east of the existing building. Work will begin on the site in June 2022. The new High School is scheduled to open in September 2024.

The approximate total project cost is $189.6 million. The Massachusetts School Building Authority is anticipated to provide a grant of about $49 million for the project, with the estimated project cost to Stoneham of $140.6 million.