Rep. Michael Day and Senator Jason Lewis Join Stoneham Delegation for Stoneham High School Dedication

BOSTON, MA – State Representative Michael S. Day and State Senator Jason Lewis joined local officials, educators, students and community members to dedicate the long-awaited new Stoneham High School and Stoneham Early Learning Center on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

The $214.6 million project, more than a decade in the making, replaces Stoneham’s aging high school infrastructure with a state-of-the-art campus powered entirely by all-electric and geothermal energy systems. The school generates more energy than it consumes, making it one of the first net-positive energy high schools in the Commonwealth.

“This project is a testament to Stoneham’s commitment to its students, community and future,” said Representative Michael Day. “With overwhelming support from our residents, this new campus and school will serve as a community resource for current and future generations of Spartans. I appreciate the sacrifice our residents made for this project to become a reality and thank all who put in countless hours of work to get us to the finish line.”

“The new, state-of-the-art Stoneham High School building will be a source of pride for the Stoneham community for decades to come,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “The modern and fully accessible classrooms, science labs, and other indoor and outdoor spaces along with being a green, net zero emissions building make it a world-class facility. Thank you to everyone who made this incredible building project possible, especially the Stoneham residents for overwhelmingly approving the local share of funding for this important project.”

The dedication ceremony also celebrated Stoneham’s Early Learning Center, which occupies the lower portion of a wing of the high school building. The Integrated Preschool housed there offers ten classrooms and a full range of services for Stoneham children aged three to five.

“This center provides us with the dedicated space we need to engage in the incredibly important work of early education,” said Danielle Tucker, Preschool Director for Stoneham Public Schools. “Here, our teachers can collaborate, refine developmentally appropriate practices and build consistent, school-wide approaches to meet the varied needs of all of our learners. By housing early childhood services in one building, we have increased access to a smoother evaluation process, created more efficient scheduling of services and reduced barriers to the supports and services that our students need."

Representative Day and Senator Lewis worked for years to secure Stoneham’s acceptance into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA) competitive grant program in 2018. Since then, the MSBA has worked with the state delegation, town officials and project designers to bring the vision to life.

“It’s always rewarding to attend milestone ceremonies, and the new Stoneham High School is remarkable,” said Mary Pichetti, Massachusetts School Building Authority Executive Director. “The collaboration between local officials, the MSBA, and the Town’s project team demonstrates a shared commitment to sustainable energy systems and a top-notch educational program that will benefit students and the community for years to come.”

In November 2021, Stoneham voters approved the project by a nearly 80-20 margin and authorized local funding. When global supply chain issues, workforce shortages and rising costs drove up expenses, Representative Day and Senator Lewis led the effort in the Legislature to build a coalition of similarly situated communities and ultimately secure an additional $100 million for the MSBA in the FY24 budget. This once in a life-time investment included an extra $6.8 million of funding directly to the Town of Stoneham for the school building project.

The Stoneham School Building Committee, co-chaired by David Bois and Marie Christie, guided the project through each stage of the MSBA’s rigorous process, and included Jeanne Craigie, Lisa DiLorenzo-Secor, Lisa Gallagher, Douglas Gove Jr., Sharon Iovanni, April Lanni, Cory Mashburn, Brian McNeil, Nicole Nial, Stephen O’Neil, Raymie Parker, David Pignone, Paul Ryder, Dennis Sheehan, Josephine Thompson, and Kevin J. Yianacopolous. In his remarks at the dedication ceremony, Representative Day acknowledged each committee member by name, thanking them for their work and perseverance in challenging circumstances.

Marie Christie, herself a former School Committee member before assuming her role as co-chair of the School Building Committee, quoted an old African proverb often used by former Stoneham Superintendent, Dr. William Hoyt during the dedication, declaring that “It takes an entire village to educate a child,” before also recognizing the members of the School Building Committee and other individuals who played key roles in the project.

At the federal level, Senator Edward Markey and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark worked with the town to secure funding through the American Rescue Plan.

“I am proud to stand with leaders, educators, and neighbors in Stoneham as we dedicate a new pillar of our community,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, who joined the dedication ceremony in person. “While some seek to dismantle public schools, Bay Staters are investing in our kids’ education. While some try to turn back the clock on clean energy, this fossil-free facility is moving us forward. This is how we win a future worthy of our children.”

“I congratulate the Stoneham community on this milestone and investment in educational excellence,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “With federal support from the American Rescue Plan Act, the new Stoneham High School and Early Learning Center will educate, nurture, and empower Stoneham students and families for generations to come.”

With its dedication, the new Stoneham High School and Early Learning Center stand as symbols of educational excellence, community resilience and environmental leadership. Superintendent Dr. Kristin DeFrancisco praised the building’s design and impact. “Our new high school makes learning accessible in every part of the building,” she said. “I enjoy visiting classrooms and seeing how students are growing into new opportunities. This school will serve them well for years to come.”

“It was great to see so many people come out to celebrate as the new school reaches completion,” said Ian Tomase ‘26, Student Council President. “I also love the school, and, although it had its charms, am very grateful that I only had to spend two years in the old building.”