The Stoneham Public Schools are in crisis.

• More than $5 million cuts to teachers and staff, programming, and services over the past 3 years.
• Our students with the highest needs are at risk of going without the crucial classroom supports they need to succeed.
• Our teachers, who earn as much as 30% below market rate, have been without a contract since July.
• We're losing experienced teachers and failing to attract new ones: the district was struggling to hire for 28 vacant positions at the start of this school year, most of which were created by veterans that cited salary as their reason for leaving Stoneham.
• Our ability to staff classrooms with qualified educators is at serious risk.

After thoughtful and careful consideration, Stoneham's Override Study Committee determined that the town needs an override of approximately $12.5 million, with approximately $8.5 million of that devoted to our schools. This amount and nothing less will solve the budget crisis facing our schools.

Stoneham's Select Board has the sole authority to determine the override amount that will appear on the ballot on December 9. We must urge them to be unequivocal in their message to voters -- Stoneham can settle for nothing less than an override amount that fully funds our schools. Period.

Send a letter to the Select Board members to urge them to fully fund the schools on behalf of our educators, students, and community!