ESCS immediately after the selective demolition process began. ~Photo courtesy of the City of Somerville By Cathleen Twardzik The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and the City of Somerville recently reached an agreement regarding the renovation of the East Somerville Community School (ESCS), which serves children from grades K-8. In December 2007, the structure was severely damaged by a fire. Based on close cooperation and negotiations between state and local officials in which the school rebuilding project became the [foundation of] the MSBA's new emergency response protocols, the Authority has recommended to its Board of Directors that Somerville be moved into the schematic design phase of its capital pipeline, according to a press release.

Specifically, that phase entails the production of detailed designs, which will be utilized for the renovation of the 118,500 square-feet. building, of which over 90,000 square-feet the MSBA will fund.

Further, "Through [the drawings] the project's scope, schedule and budget are better defined," said Emily Mahlman, Director of Communications of the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Three options for the East Somerville Community School were under consideration. However, "It was determined that renovating the existing facility was the most cost-effective and educationally appropriate solution," said Mahlman.

At present, it is unclear when students will be able to attend school at ESCS "because a construction schedule has not been developed, yet."

Currently, displaced students are in the Capuano School, the Argenziano School, Cummings, and the Edgerly Education Center — the four facilities to which students were relocated after the blaze.

At this early stage, the MSBA has not spent any money to finance this project.

"This has been a long and complex negotiation. This school building not only plays a crucial role in our city's education system, but in the larger community life of East Somerville," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone.

Throughout Massachusetts, the MSBA is collaborating with municipalities to invest $2.5 billion in schools, by finding, the most fiscally-responsible and educationally-appropriate solutions to create safe learning environments.

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," said William Roche, Ward 1 Alderman.

Moreover, "All of us in East Somerville have waited a long time for this news," he said.