Waltham Public Schools — Day-to-day

Over the 2025-26 school year, the Waltham School Committee has moved several day-to-day policies from discussion to formal approval. The first of these, approved in September 2025, was the second reading of the Waltham High School cell phone policy, which formally restricts phone use during Advisory and directed studies and brings the district closer to anticipated statewide cell phone restrictions.

In January 2026, after a public hearing and second reading, the Committee voted to approve, as amended, a new Emotional Support Dogs Policy. It requires superintendent or principal approval and a 10-day application process, with an exception for urgent or emergent situations, and it does not permit classroom teachers to serve as handlers.

Most recently, in February 2026, the Committee finalized the Revised Meal Charge Policy at second reading, closing out the required review by removing language the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education had flagged regarding graduating seniors' outstanding balances. Taken together, the approvals show a Committee steadily formalizing rules that affect students' everyday school experience.