State Advances Somerville’s Funding Proposal for New PK-8 School Building

The City’s work to deliver a state-of-the-art school project for Somerville students is moving into the next phase in the state’s school building funding process. This afternoon, the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA) Board of Directors voted to move Somerville’s project forward. The vote by the MSBA Board is a required step that occurs at several points throughout the multi-year process. 

Somerville’s school building project through the MSBA would address the needs of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potentially the Brown School. 

Today’s approval means the project can enter the next phase of project development. Beginning in January 2025, the City can now start a formal procurement process to hire an Owner’s Project Manager to oversee the project, and then a Design/Architecture firm. In both processes, the School Building Committee will be directly involved and the MSBA will ultimately need to approve the hires. 

“This is the news we wanted to hear – and it is important news. As we advance through each stage of the MSBA process to seek state funding, we get closer to building the quality school our students need and deserve. I want to thank the state, our staff, and all who have supported this effort as we work toward this vital goal for our youth and our community,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. 

“We are extremely grateful for this continued partnership with the MSBA, and eager to continue our progress toward a new school building particularly for our Winter Hill School community,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Rubén Carmona. “Our SPS and City teams worked extremely hard over the last 270 days of our Eligibility Period to ensure we were well positioned to move into the next phase, with the blessing and support of our state partners. This vote marks a huge step forward, and we are excited to get right to work in the new year.” 

To help inform decisions about the scope and location of this project, the City and Somerville Public Schools are committed to a robust and inclusive community process. This process will help inform the School Construction Advisory Group, which will develop a recommendation to the Mayor for the scope and location of the project.

More information about community engagement and the next phase of the MSBA process will be shared via City and SPS channels and via direct outreach over the coming weeks. You can stay informed and review project milestones to date at somervillema.gov/msba. 

About the MSBA 

The MSBA strives to work with local communities to create affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient schools across Massachusetts. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over 1,750 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process and has made over $16.7 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects. 

About the Winter Hill Community Innovation and Brown School

The Winter Hill Community Innovation School (WHCIS) and the Brown School are the two oldest school buildings in the Somerville Public Schools. Students and staff from the WHCIS were displaced from the Sycamore Street building in June 2023 following the collapse of a non-structural ceiling tile from the north stairwell. All WHCIS students are now attending classes at their interim location at the Edgerly Education Center at 8 Bonair Street.

The Brown School, the district’s only K-5 school, is the oldest school building in the district, having been originally built in 1900. It is the only school in the district that does not have a cafeteria or gymnasium. 

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.