Stoneham School Committee Accepts $386,500 Literacy Grant, Schedules Urgent Policy Vote

School Committee · Meeting of August 13, 2026

Stoneham School Committee accepts $386,500 literacy grant and schedules emergency policy meeting before school starts September 2. The committee voted unanimously at its August 13 meeting to accept the full PRISM I grant from Governor Healey's office, a figure Superintendent Dr. DeFrancisco said exceeded her expectation of roughly $200,000 given the grant's stated annual reduction schedule.

The committee also waived readings and approved Sections D and K of the district's ongoing policy overhaul, but a first reading of the extensive Section J student policies — covering attendance, discipline, health services, and extracurricular activities — means a second reading and vote must be held before handbooks can be finalized. The committee agreed to hold a virtual meeting during the week of August 17 to complete that process. Member Jaime Wallace voiced concerns about "starting the game and changing the rules partway through," and the committee concluded the handbook sign-off will be pulled from the new one-stop digital back-to-school form launching the week of August 17; families should expect a separate handbook communication closer to the school year launch.

Transportation Director Dr. Castonguay reported 20 bus lottery seats are available for non-entitled families, with results expected after August 20, and emphasized families should have backup plans in place given the compressed timeline.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,545 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of August 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.