Schools
Somerville’s schools are falling behind, and I’ll work with the entire community to replace Winter Hill and modernize every school building — safely and sustainably.
Strong Schools, From the Ground Up
Safe, modern school buildings for every student, every family, and every neighborhood
The closure of the Winter Hill Community School did not happen by accident. It was the predictable result of years of neglect, delay, and poor planning. Across the city, we are now facing over 300 million dollars in needed repairs to public buildings. Our schools make up a huge part of that total, and they deserve to be more than an afterthought in the city budget.
We have a real opportunity right now to get it right. With Winter Hill in the state funding pipeline, I will work closely with residents, not just parents, but educators, renters, and longtime neighbors, to make sure the final plan reflects the full needs of our community. That means a school that is sustainable, accessible, and built to serve not just students but the whole public.
But one new school is not enough. If we want families to stay, teachers to thrive, and Somerville to lead, we must invest in every school like our future depends on it. Because it does.
A 21st Century Plan for Somerville Schools
1. A New Winter Hill, Done Right
I will lead with transparency and urgency as we plan a permanent replacement for the Winter Hill Community School. That means working with families, educators, and residents to find a smart location, demand strong design standards, and keep the project on track every step of the way.
2. Citywide School Modernization
Every student deserves safe air, working heat, full accessibility, and classrooms built for 21st century learning. I will push the city to adopt a proactive school modernization plan that does not wait for buildings to fail before they are fixed, starting with a public timeline for priority repairs and upgrades.
3. No More Delays Without Answers
Somerville has a pattern of long delays and vague timelines for major public projects. I will fight for stricter oversight, independent project management reviews, and regular public updates so families and educators know what is happening and what is not.
4. Schools as Community Anchors
School buildings should double as public resources, spaces that can host community events, after school programs, adult learning, and more. I will push for designs that reflect this vision and budgets that include the staff and maintenance needed to make it real.
5. Build Internal Capacity, Not Just Cost Overruns
Too often, Somerville relies on outside consultants to manage complex projects and ends up over budget and off schedule. I will work to strengthen in-house city capacity to plan, budget, and deliver capital projects so we stop repeating the same mistakes.
We cannot afford to kick the can down the road. Our schools and the families who rely on them deserve safe, modern buildings that reflect Somerville’s values and our commitment to the next generation.
