Temporary exterior panels, which were installed to address the fire damage to the South East wing of the ESCS.

By Cathleen Twardzik

Aldermen have approved $30 million in bond funding for the renovation of the East Somerville Community School.

Selective demolition of the structure, which was burnt to the ground by a fire in December 2007, is slated to begin later this month. The school is expected to reopen during the 2012-13 school year.

The funds to complete the essential plans for the project include a $15.2 million grant, which was approved in October 2010 by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for renovations, as well as a $10 million insurance agreement “held by the City of Somerville” with Liberty Mutual in 2008. To round it out, approximately $8 million in bond funds will be contributed by the city, according to Emily Mahlman, Director of Communications of the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

In 2008, the City of Somerville and Liberty Mutual struck a $10 million agreement for funds, which will be utilized to renovate the building, approximately $2 million of which has been used for cleanup, initial remediation, structural stabilization of the damaged wing, as well as the replacement of teaching materials.

“I am extremely happy to announce this latest step in the rebuilding process, particularly as this action by the Board occurred just shy of the three year anniversary of the fire.  We are eager to begin the renovation process and are looking forward to reintroducing the ESCS family to a new and improved school building,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

“We have finally reached the phase in our planning that families, students and staff of the East Somerville Community School have been waiting for.” said Tony Pierantozzi, Superintendent of Schools.

After the blaze, displaced students were reassigned to the Capuano School, the Argenziano School, Cummings, and the Edgerly Education Center.

“It’s been a long road, but all parties have worked together to make sure that the ESCS community receives a quality building that reinforces our commitment to education and achievement,” said Maureen Bastardi, Ward 1 School Committee Representative.

“The holiday season [is] upon us, this is the greatest gift to give the East Somerville community.  The reopening of the school, hopefully by the 2012-13 school year, will be one of the happiest moments for our City,” said William Roche, Ward 1 Alderman.

After the renovation is finished, Roche anticipates the student enrollment to remain the same as in the past.

Some special features will grace the renovated school building. “The exterior facade will be enhanced for a different look: the play areas are all going to be enhanced, basketball courts, tot-lot playground and a new amphitheatre on the Pearl Street side,” he said.

“There are offsite areas for vehicles and buses for the students, the gym is the only full-size gym of any of the elementary schools, and this is the only auditorium housed in any of the schools, other than the high school.  In addition, there is a green roof which will house a passive garden.”

To ensure the safety of ESCS students and faculty members, “The entire interior of the building will be gutted, with a state-of-the-art heating system eventually being installed,” he said.

What are the school’s future goals?  “Hopefully, this school will be offering quality education for many years to come to students of Somerville,” said Roche.

As construction unfolds, interested individuals may visit the City of Somerville’s Web site to view the project page, which will feature updates.