School Building Facilities and Maintenance Special Committee

October 28, 2025
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Meeting Minutes: Joint Committee on School Buildings, Facilities, and Maintenance

Governing Body: Joint Committee on School Buildings, Facilities, and Maintenance (City Council and School Committee) Meeting Type: Joint Committee Meeting Meeting Date: [Date of Meeting - Not explicitly stated in transcript, but implied to be in October/November 2023 based on discussion of "last night's CAG meeting" and "early November" report] Attendees:

  • City Council: Jesse Clingan (Chair), Naima Sait, Lance Davis
  • School Committee: Laura Petone (Chair), Sarah Phillips
  • City Staff: Christine Blais (Director, Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Environment), Rich Raish (Director, Infrastructure and Asset Management), Danielle Barry (School Department)
  • Clerk: [Clerk's Name - Not explicitly stated in transcript]

Executive Summary

The Joint Committee on School Buildings, Facilities, and Maintenance convened to discuss several key issues. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the school department's composting pilot program, with the Director of Sustainability and Environment providing an update on past pilots, future plans, and community interest. The committee also received an update on the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process for the Winter Hill and Brown schools, including community survey results and the ongoing work of the Citizen Construction Advisory Group (CAG). Other items included an update on the school buildings maintenance project website, the installation of a railing at the Winter Hill Innovation School playground, and the condition of the high school building's exterior tiles.

1. Approval of the Minutes of the School Buildings Facility Maintenance Special Committee Meeting of September 15th

  • Discussion: Chair Clingan laid the approval of the minutes on the table for a vote at the end of the meeting.
  • Outcome: Approved.
    • Vote:
      • Councillor Sait: Yes
      • Councillor Davis: Yes
      • Chair Clingan: Yes

2. Administration Update Regarding the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Process for the Winter Hill and Brown Schools

  • Discussion:
    • Director Rich Raish provided an update on the MSBA process.
    • Architect Selection: Negotiations are concluding with Perkins Eastman as the architect designer. Meetings are being scheduled to focus on the educational program.
    • Citizen Construction Advisory Group (CAG) Meeting: A meeting was held last night (implied to be the night before the current meeting) to discuss results from a community survey and focus groups.
      • Survey Results: Approximately 2,500 respondents participated.
        • TRUM Field Site: A "preponderance of the community" is opposed to citing a new facility at TRUM Field due to various objections. This site is also protected under Massachusetts Article 97, requiring an offset for loss of open space, which would increase costs.
        • Combined vs. Separate Facilities: The community is divided on combining or separating the schools.
          • Wards 4, 5, and 6 favor separate facilities.
          • Wards 1, 2, 3, and 7 generally favor a combined facility.
          • Parents of Brown School-aged children tend to favor a separate Brown School.
          • Parents of younger or older children tend to favor a combined school.
        • Sycamore Street: If combining, Sycamore Street is the preferred location over TRUM Field.
      • Focus Group Results: Deeper dives with smaller groups (educators, teachers, parents, special education parents) showed differences among demographics. Existing Brown and Winter Hill families favored separate schools, while educators favored a combined school.
      • CAG Deliberation: The CAG's next meeting is on the 10th for deliberation, with a final meeting on the 24th to finalize a recommendation. The recommendation is expected to be structured like a Supreme Court decision, with a majority and likely a dissenting opinion.
    • Timeline and Mayoral Decision:
      • The city will continue to explore TRUM options for the MSBA feasibility study, providing reasons why it is not preferred.
      • The formal report to MSBA for approval is not expected until 2026.
      • The next mayor will have significant influence as they will be on the school building committee and sign funding agreements.
      • Mayor Ballantyne intends to consult with the mayor-elect in November and December before releasing a decision.
      • The goal is to provide clear direction by the end of the year to expedite the feasibility study and provide certainty to the Winter Hill School community.
    • Cost Analysis for CAG: The CAG was presented with updated cost estimates for different school sizes and locations, including construction cash flows and debt service projections. The Kennedy option was taken off the table for the CAG's exploration.
    • MSBA Funding for Brown School: Director Raish stated that it is "exceptionally unlikely" that the MSBA would fund a separate Brown School project if the schools are not combined, at least for the foreseeable future.
  • Outcome: Item remains in committee for ongoing updates.

3. Update on the School Buildings Maintenance Project Website

  • Discussion:
    • Councillor Sait requested an update on the school buildings maintenance project website.
    • Director Rich Raish apologized for delays, citing staff being "flat out" with priority projects (Argenziano kitchen, Argenziano classroom, MSBA process).
    • He hopes to make progress with communications (comms) over December/January.
    • Asset Management System (CMMS): The city is close to launching a CMMS, which will improve reporting on 311 requests and routine maintenance, including school-related work. This system will provide a reporting mechanism for the website.
    • Councillor Sait emphasized the need for a centralized, consistently updated website for constituents and school parents to see building work. She offered to discuss this offline with Director Raish.
    • Director Raish clarified that the website is envisioned to be on the city's communications platform, likely under the Infrastructure and Asset Management (IAM) or Department of Public Works (DPW) pages.
  • Outcome: Item remains in committee for ongoing updates.

4. Administration Report on the School Department Composting Pilot Program

  • Discussion:
    • Director Christine Blais (Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Environment) summarized the attached memo.
    • 2018-2019 Pilot: A cafeteria composting pilot ran for five months in four Somerville Public Schools. An intern's analysis found issues with contamination, popularity, and operations, recommending additional personnel and resources for expansion.
    • Kitchen Organic Waste Disposal Program: A brief pilot in two schools had less success due to concerns about staff training, labor, pickup frequency, and inter-departmental communication.
    • Current Context:
      • The city's first Zero Waste Plan aims for a 90% waste reduction by 2050.
      • State regulations on food waste in commercial spaces are expected to be enforced in the coming years.
      • The 2024 Climate Plan includes goals for food waste reduction.
      • Composting offers environmental, educational, and cultural benefits beyond emissions reduction.
      • Curbside Composting Pilot: A new curbside composting pilot launched last week received 169 sign-ups in one week, exceeding expectations.
      • Participatory Budgeting: Over $100,000 was allocated for food waste drop-off sites, with potential synergies with school programs.
    • Challenges:
      • Cost: Food waste is heavy, and the city does not pay for trash pickup by tonnage, making composting potentially more expensive than landfilling.
      • Rats: Rodent concerns are a significant factor.
      • Logistics: Training staff, consistent pickups, and proper waste separation are crucial.
    • School Committee and Council Comments:
      • Chair Clingan and Councillor Sait expressed frustration with the slow progress and emphasized the need for action beyond pilots.
      • Councillor Davis highlighted the need for rodent-proof solutions and the many benefits of composting beyond cost savings.
      • Chair Petone shared a student's advocacy for composting and inquired about food donation possibilities. Director Blais confirmed interest in exploring this but noted the need for school capacity and inter-departmental coordination.
      • Dr. Phillips requested the district's finance team to cost out piloting and district-wide implementation of composting to inform budget decisions.
      • Ms. Barry (School Department) confirmed openness to a pilot program with proper rodent control and consistent pickup. She noted that "back of the house" food waste is minimal due to repurposing, but "front of the house" composting would require more staff.
      • Ms. Petone emphasized composting as an investment in student culture and environmentalism, preventing cynicism.
      • Director Blais reiterated the goal of creating a culture of conservationism and exploring synergies with other composting programs (e.g., co-locating drop-off sites at schools). She acknowledged the need for resources for "front of the house" contamination control.
      • Councillor Sait requested actual cost numbers for budget season and continued conversation with school staff. She expressed confidence in students' readiness for composting.
    • Report Status: The original report is a draft from a previous administration. Director Blais included its recommendations in Appendix A of her memo.
  • Outcome: Item marked as completed. Councillor Sait will submit a new order regarding the cost analysis.

5. Installation, Safety, and Accessibility of a Railing on the Concrete Stairs at Winter Hill Innovation School Playground

  • Discussion:
    • Chair Clingan stated that the Public Space and Urban Forestry Department (not Parks Department) has agreed to install a railing on the concrete stairs between the play structures and soccer field at the Winter Hill Innovation School playground.
    • This addresses safety concerns and ensures accessibility, particularly as it is the only fully accessible slide in the city.
  • Outcome: Item marked as completed.

6. Acquisition of the Closed School Building on Thurston Street (St. Ann's School)

  • Discussion:
    • Chair Clingan inquired about the status of acquiring the St. Ann's school building, privately owned by the Archdiocese of Boston, which is adjacent to the Winter Hill schools. He emphasized the opportunity to expand the school's footprint and capacity.
    • Director Rich Raish stated he last spoke with the Archdiocese a little over a month ago.
    • Current Status: The city is not in a position to make an offer due to ongoing MSBA process and the need for a clear direction on the Winter Hill/Brown school project.
    • Archdiocese Position: The Archdiocese is open to discussion and is talking with other entities.
    • Director Raish indicated that further discussion on potential negotiations should be in executive session.
    • Chair Petone echoed interest in exploring this opportunity and expressed faith in Director Raish's team.
    • Ms. Petone acknowledged that acquiring the property would incur costs (purchase, demolition) but would provide valuable extra space.
  • Outcome: Item marked as completed.

7. Availability and Condition of Menstrual Product Dispensers in School Buildings

  • Discussion:
    • Chair Clingan presented a memo from the DPW Commissioner regarding menstrual product availability.
    • Dispenser Locations: Menstrual product dispensers are available in all schools except Capuano (early childhood) and Brown (K-5).
    • Inoperable Dispensers: Somerville Public Schools (SPS) administration and DPW are not aware of any inoperable dispensers. Issues should be reported via 311.
    • Nurses' Offices: Menstrual products are also available in all nurses' offices.
    • Refilling Process: Ms. Barry (School Department) stated that custodians are responsible for refilling dispensers. She does not have specific data on usage frequency but noted that high school dispensers might be restocked more often. She observed dispensers to be at least three-quarters full during spot checks.
    • Placement in Boys' Rooms: Chair Petone inquired if dispensers are placed in boys' rooms, given that some menstruating students may use those bathrooms. Ms. Barry will investigate how placement decisions were made.
    • Gender-Neutral Bathrooms: Ms. Petone noted that the list provided indicates gender-neutral bathrooms have dispensers, except at Argenziano.
  • Outcome: Item remains in committee for follow-up on dispenser placement in boys' rooms and usage data.

Adjournment

  • Motion: Councillor Davis moved to adjourn.
  • Outcome: Approved.
    • Vote:
      • Councillor Sait: Yes
      • Councillor Davis: Yes
      • Chair Clingan: Yes
  • Time: 7:46 p.m.

Last updated: Nov 5, 2025

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