At present, the pros and cons of rebuilding or revamping Somerville High School are uncertain because the next steps in the process are in their infancy.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The consulting engineer recently reported that Somerville High School needs $10 million in high-priority repairs, although the school was deemed safe for students and staff.

However, external review cites that some essential repairs to the façade are necessary, such as the windows and the roof. City and school officials will confer about the funding timetable to rebuild or to repair the school.

What are the next steps in the process? At present, Tony Ciccariello, SHS Headmaster, is leading a task force. The community department will provide assistance.

“We’re in the very preliminary stages now,” said Mayor Curtatone. The school committee and the city, as well as the Board of Aldermen, the school department, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), “can analyze and determine what the long-term plan will be. In the short-term, we’ll take all the necessary steps to ensure the building can [run] safely and efficiently,” he said.

A decision will then be reached about which option is in the best interest of community.

“We’re beginning our initial deliberations. We will determine who needs to be involved at this point,” he said.

Dates and more in-depth information will be forthcoming at a later time.

“We don’t know what the pros and cons [of rebuilding or revamping the current school] are right now, only speculation on our part. We will do one of two things: either renovate the high school or build a new high school. We have to determine which is in the best interest of our schoolchildren in our community and the best use of taxpayer dollars. We have a lot of work to do,” said Curtatone.

If a new school building is built, its location is still unknown.