BOSTON—State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and MSBA Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary L. Pichetti announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to move Winter Hill Community School, located in the City of Somerville, into the Schematic Design phase. In the Schematic Design phase, the MSBA and the district will look at possible options to replace the existing Winter Hill Community School.
“Thanks to our collaborative work with local officials, we are working to build a 21st century educational facility that will provide Somerville students with a top-notch learning environment,” said Treasurer Goldberg.
The proposed project would replace the existing Winter Hill Community School with a new facility serving students in kindergarten through grade 8, plus pre-kindergarten, on the site of the existing school; consolidating the student populations of the Winter Hill Community School and the Benjamin G. Brown Elementary School. The district had identified in their Statement of Interest numerous deficiencies in the existing facility related to the structural integrity, outdated electrical and plumbing systems as well as the building’s envelope; including accessibility issues. In addition to the physical plant issues, the district reported that the existing facility does not support the delivery of its educational program as well as projected overcrowding.
“The potential new Winter Hill Community School will mean a better learning and teaching location for students and teachers,” stated Executive Director/Deputy CEO Mary Pichetti.
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable, and cost-effective public-school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has approved over 1,200 projects and has made over $19 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects across the Commonwealth.
