Stoneham School Committee Delegates Warrant Authority, Adopts New Policy Package

STONEHAM -- December 3, 2025, Stoneham School Committee clears town audit finding and adopts six policy updates at off-cycle December meeting. The five-member board voted unanimously Wednesday to delegate warrant pre-approval authority to Chair Jamie Donahue, addressing a finding that vendor warrants had been ratified after checks were already processed. Budget Director Diane, joining remotely, called the fix "a very common practice" across Massachusetts districts. The committee also approved Warrant No. 2622, a vendor warrant totaling $344,003.12. Six updated or new policies, covering sections E, F, H, and L of the district handbook, a middle school career and technical education pathway exploration policy (IHAIA), and a revised competency determination procedure (IKFE), were adopted unanimously and take effect December 8. Donahue flagged ongoing state uncertainty over post-MCAS graduation standards as a reason the competency policy was deliberately drafted to read "more like a procedure," allowing the district to update it as state direction solidifies. The board also suspended substitute teacher age and degree requirements for the rest of the school year, with Superintendent Dr. De Francisco citing requests from multiple principals and pledging discretion in placements. The meeting closed in executive session on collective bargaining strategy with the Stoneham Educators Association.