Stoneham Does Its Part In Supporting $317M Northeast Metro School

STONEHAM, MA — On the same night voters said "yes" to a dazzling new high school, they signaled their support in ponying up for another state-of-the-art school.

Stoneham Town Meeting on Monday supported Northeast Metro Tech's proposal for a new building, a major project that is estimated to cost $317.4 million, with $140.9 coming from the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the rest from school's 12 sending communities.

North Reading also supported the request Monday. Chelsea, Malden, Melrose, Reading, Revere, Saugus, Wakefield, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn round out the district.

"Thank you to Town Meeting voters in North Reading and Stoneham for their overwhelming backing of the school building project, and to the town officials who have supported this," Superintendent David DiBarri said. "These Town Meeting votes validate the need for a new building and the countless hours the Building Committee has spent developing the best and most cost-effective project possible."

The project move continue to move ahead if the legislative bodies in all the communities do not oppose it. If there is a negative action toward it, it will go to a districtwide referendum this winter.

The school said the communities will save $25 million if there isn't a delay.

The new building will allow the school to increase its enrollment by 26 percent, from 1,270 to 1,600. That is expected to dramatically shorten the district's waitlist, which is about 400 students annually.

The current building has not had any significant renovations, additions or improvements since its construction in 1968, the Wakefield school said.

The biggest issues Northeast Metro faces are overcrowding, an inability to accommodate IEPs, outdated facilities and programming and failing mechanical and electrical systems, according to the school.

The new Northeast Metro would bring the school into ADA compliance and make it able to offer expanded programs and IEP accommodations. It would also include a new primary access road from Farm Street to help with traffic, outdoor learning, a new cafeteria, auditorium and gym and more.

The next public meeting for the new Northeast Metro Tech school is Tuesday at Malden City Hall.