In Support Of a New Stoneham High School

Following is a letter from Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Michael Day to Jack McCarthy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Dear Executive Director McCarthy,

As the legislative delegation representing Stoneham, we write to enthusiastically endorse the Town's Statement of Interest to renovate or rehabilitate Stoneham High School.

As you may know, Stoneham High School has not seen any major upgrades or renovations since 1981 — more than 35 years ago. Stoneham now seeks funding to bring the high school into the 21st Century in order to continue its efforts to maximize educational opportunities for its students. Specifically, the Town wishes to modernize its science laboratories, equip the school for modern technologies, make necessary infrastructure updates, and create a space that is safe, accessible and appropriately suited to serve its growing student population, which is expected to jump by more than 100 students due to new residential developments in Stoneham.

In 1997, the Town completed a three-stage master plan for the renovation and modernization of its educational infrastructure. Stoneham completed the first stage with the renovation/reconstruction of three elementary schools. The Town completed phase two with the construction of the new Middle School project a few years ago, completed with the support of the MSBA. The renovation of the High School, originally built as the Middle School in 1968, represents the final phase of the Town's now 20 year-old master plan.

The High School does not meet accessibility codes and is in dire need of renovation. it is technologically deficient and lacks proper classroom space, owing, in part, to the school's cessation of a vocational curriculum and the lack of safe and appropriate spaces that can provide much-needed STEM laboratories and special education/alternative programming. The age and condition of the physical structure, the disparity between what the Middle School can offer its students compared with the High School, and the influx of students coming to the district with the new housing developments all militate in strong favor of moving this project along to the next phase as soon as possible.

As the Town's legislative delegation, we stand with Stoneham in its drive to ensure that the high quality educational opportunities its students enjoy at the newly renovated Middle School are also available at the High School, which will require new investments in technologies and other basic upgrades. As evidenced by its work during the Middle School project and its recent town vote to fully fund the replacement of the High School boiler and heating system, Stoneham is ready, willing and able to work cooperatively and creatively with the MSBA to advance the renovation or rehabilitation of its High School.

We appreciate the tremendous support the MSBA provided to the Town during the Stoneham Middle School project. We request your support of the Town's Statement of Interest, which would permit us to move forward to the next steps in this project.

Feel free to contact our offices if you have any questions or concerns.

Jason Lewis and Michael Day