The new Construction Advisory Group held its first meeting on Tuesday, October 8.

By Katherine Davis

On October 8, the new Construction Advisory Group (CAG), as requested by Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, held its first meeting to address the continued displacement of PK-8 grade students from the Winter Hill Community Innovation School (WHCIS). After the school temporarily closed in June 2023 after a chunk of concrete fell in a stairwell, and then indefinitely closed after the discovery of asbestos in August 2023, Winter Hill students have been attending the Edgerly Education Center and the Capuano School for over a year.

In December 2023, WHCIS was accepted by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) into the Eligibility Phase for a grant towards construction of, or the renovation of the school. The Benjamin G. Brown School is another school in the district that is in need of assistance to avoid any similar incidents as the aforementioned. While Brown was not selected by the MSBA program, the MSBA is willing to start one project that will accommodate both schools. The Construction Advisory Group was then formed as requested by the mayor, comprised of community members who, within the upcoming 13 months, will work together in the timeline provided by the MSBA to configure a recommendation for the mayor as to the location of the new Winter Hill Community Innovation School, and / or whether this construction will include the students at the Benjamin G. Brown School. Superintendent Rubén Carmona stated that the “end result [of this advisory group] is to make sure that our kids get the best option for them, and also that our community is kept at the center of the decision-making process”.

The objectives of the very first meeting were:

Objective one: To meet and get to know the Construction Advisory Group members

Parent Representatives from both affected schools, as well as from the Somerville Public School District were present. Other attendees included those from the City Council, the School Committee, Community Group Representatives, and Business Community Representatives. The Construction Advisory Group also has selected Student Representatives from Somerville High School who were unable to attend, and hopes to also fill Teacher Representative positions. Suggested possible Representatives by the CAG included those from the neighborhoods of the three proposed locations of the new school– WHCIS, Brown, or the Trum Field. Representative Marta Guerra Pastrian stated a need for representatives, specifically those in unique situations such as public housing and in special programs particular to WHCISl, asking “where the school is placed and whether it is bigger or smaller, in what ways will this affect these communities that probably have less voice than others?”

Objective two: To go over the purpose of the CAG

The purpose of the new Construction Advisory Group is to ensure that the community has a say in the decisions being made that directly impact current students, families, and teachers, as well as the future of these people and the community as a whole. The hope is that members of the community will feel represented by the CAG, and that all possible voices and concerns are heard and discussed by the city regarding this particular issue. The main overarching questions and concerns the CAG is working to address in the provided timeline are:

1. If we build a new school rather than renovate the old Winter Hill School, should the school be located at the WHCIS site at Sycamore Street, or elsewhere?
2. Will the Brown School be included in a joint school, or, if not, how should we plan for the future of Brown?
3. What do these choices mean for the Somerville Public Schools and city as a whole?

Objective three: To identify the principles for a successful outcome of the work

The main goal of the CAG is to be able to come together to make a decision that benefits the City of Somerville as a whole. The members of the Construction Advisory Group identified the following as what they would consider a successful outcome of their work over the next year:

• All students will have access to the best school possible, including a climate friendly and climate resilient school building as soon as possible
• No further displacement of families or students, and the prevention of further gentrification already being faced in the Winter Hill neighborhood
• Decisions that are made alongside students and educators, overall community support
• A permanent modern space for WHCIS students, and a long-term plan for all schools
• A decision that works to restore trust within the community after the displacement that has occurred
• That the mayor accepts the recommendation provided by the CAG
• Success for the neighborhoods involved– economically, culturally, educationally, and politically
• A decision that is justifiable, and makes sense to people beyond “this doesn’t directly benefit me”

An example of this would be the way the district is designed, where for some it may be less convenient to send students to the current Winter Hill location, however the original placement of this school was to encourage the under-served neighborhood to enroll students at the then, new, nearby school, increasing public access to education.

Civics teacher Megan Brady from the Winter Hill Community Innovation School was the only commentator during the public commentary portion of the meeting. Providing a very sound argument, she urged the CAG to look at the project done by her 8th grade civics students last year regarding the new WHCISl school. Students conducted over 600 interpersonal interviews with their peers and community members in four languages, collecting a remarkable amount of data and information as to what the community, and students in particular, thought of as their “dream” school. The results were overwhelmingly hopeful for what may seem unexpected – working bathrooms, an auditorium, and more green space. Her “vision of success is that they get their dream school because it shows them that the adults in their community listen to them and center them.”

Objective four: To discuss the process and protocols of the meetings

Beyond the main goals of the Construction Advisory Group, the CAG also identified the following as their job within their meetings:

• To include input from people with a broad range of perspectives and experiences from across the City of Somerville to make an informed decision.
• To help build a shared understanding about what it is that the community wants, what Somerville and the Somerville Public School District needs, and what limitations and / or issues they face.
• To follow through on outreach to Somerville residents and families, and listen to what the community thinks is important through the Broad Public Process
• To develop a range of effective and achievable options to be presented that meet the needs of the community, city, and school, all while following the prescribed MSBA process.
• To evaluate and narrow down options based on community input and thoughtful deliberation.
• To align on a “best possible approach” to recommend to Mayor Ballantyne and the School Building Committee, all within the MSBA timeline.

Objective five: To confirm future meeting dates and times

The very first Construction Advisory Group meeting was held in person at Somerville High School, however the group discussed the possibility of remote meetings or hybrid meetings to help meet the needs of Group members. There has not been a decision at this time as to the format of next month’s meeting, but heavy conversation over ensuring that all community members have access to attend and participate in future CAG meetings occurred. The proposal of standing meeting dates such as the 2nd Monday each month, excluding November due to the holiday, was made. Tentative dates of the next two meetings are Tuesday November 12, and Monday December 9. At the moment these meetings are virtual. Updates on meeting dates and times will be made available on the Somerville Construction Advisory Group page on the Somerville website www.somervillema.gov/WHCIS  or somervillema.gov/cag.