Somerville High School deemed safe for students and staff, but external review cites necessary repairs to façade, windows, roofs; City and School officials to confer on funding, timetable for rebuilding and repair.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi, and School Committee Chairperson Paul Bockelman, in a joint release with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), today issued a report by Maguire Group Inc. (MGI) that cites approximately $10 million in necessary structural repairs and replacements at Somerville High School.  In its report, MGI noted “high priority” repairs to aging windows, roofing, and brick façade, among other areas.  MGI, City and School officials stressed that the building remains structurally sound and safe for students and staff.  The report also noted that no repairs or changes have been made to the building since the addition of a Technical Trade School and gymnasium in 1986.

“The safety of our municipal buildings, and especially school facilities is always our highest priority, and though we work extremely hard to maintain our historic infrastructure, the fact is that older infrastructure deteriorates without regular investment in maintenance and repair. Costs have continued to climb, and state aid and local revenue have been scaled back in recent years, but we must address these issues both in the short and long term,” said Mayor Curtatone.  “In fact, while the current high school’s structure remains one hundred percent safe for anyone who walks through its doors, this news of our high school’s significant repair needs provides a useful context for a review of our longer-term options.  It may be the case that an altogether new school building may be the best and most cost-effective option.”

“I think the MSBA understands that our high school is one of only a very few in the state that has not been rebuilt, or at least thoroughly rehabilitated, in the past quarter century,” Curtatone said.  “We plan to join the MSBA and MGI in forming a working group to pursue a feasibility study designed to help us assess the relative merits of a new facility as well as look at possible locations and associated costs.  In the meantime, we will take every step necessary to ensure that the current building remains a safe and positive learning environment for our students and families.”

“A state of the art high school facility is consistent with the education provided to our students at Somerville High School — the Massachusetts Biotech Innovation School of the Year for 2011.  It is also in line with the Mayor’s and City’s long-term development plan for the Somerville community” said Superintendent Pierantozzi.  “We will continue our focus on excellence at SHS with a comprehensive menu of innovative academic and vocational programs in a safe and engaging school environment.  The current High School facility has served our community well for more than a century.  Whether in our existing facility or a new one, our students and community can look forward to many decades of continued use of Somerville High School as both an educational facility and a community resource.”
“Somerville High School has served as the learning ground for generations of Somerville students. As the largest building owned by the City, the High School is the main gathering place for the Somerville community and is central to the educational mission of the School District.
This historic facility needs investment, and our students deserve a state-of-the-art facility to prepare properly for the challenges of the 21st century,” said Bockelman. “Our faculty and students are doing so many great things every day in the High School despite its physical limitations. I can only imagine what could be done with great facilities to support them.
The School Committee and the School Department look forward to working with the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to find a long-term solution that best supports our students’ educational work.”

MGI was contracted to perform a study of SHS in 2011 in order to investigate the condition of the exterior site conditions, and provide a report of recommended work.  Mayor Curtatone also announced that, in light of the findings, he has appointed SHS Headmaster, Tony Ciccariello, to lead the task force, which will review the report, future feasibility studies, and determine next steps.

The central wing of the high school was opened in 1895, and final remodeling was conducted in 1986, when the Technical Trade School and gymnasium were added.  No major changes or improvements have been made to the exterior of the building in approximately 24 years.