School buildings oversight — File 211395

That the Mayor, Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management, and DPW Commissioner respond to these questions contained within regarding management and oversight of school buildings that have been raised by Somerville Public Schools parents in emails to City Councilors. A) Does the City have sufficient staff to monitor, evaluate, assess and maintain the school buildings adequately? What qualifications and experience do those staff have to do this work? Specifically, how many FTEs are there, and in which departments are staff located who repair, maintain, and monitor the school buildings? Please describe and provide details for all contracts the City has for school building maintenance. B) Is the current organization of City staff where several departments and divisions (IAM, Engineering, Capital Projects, DPW) have roles in managing and maintaining the school buildings the right organization to do this work effectively and efficiently? Should the City of Somerville have a separate department is responsible for school building maintenance, as some cities and towns do? C) How should control and oversight of school buildings be managed? Current oversight of various aspects of the school buildings and their financing is split between the Mayor, the School Committee and the City Council. This has proven to be confusing and challenging in dealing with getting the school buildings ready for students and staff in the Covid-19 era. If we were to look again at how this is organized, which body in the City government should exercise control and oversight of the school buildings, or, if we continue with joint responsibility, how should that power and responsibility be divided among the three branches of City government?