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Somerville schools: most buildings have dispensers; 311 is the process for repairs
Summary
School staff told the committee that menstrual-product dispensers are installed in all schools except Capuano (early childhood center) and Brown (to fifth grade), that custodial staff refill dispensers, and that 311 requests are the reporting mechanism for inoperable units.
School operations staff told the committee that, based on current information and a memo from the buildings commissioner, dispensers for menstrual products are present in all Somerville k—8 buildings except two: the Capuano early childhood center and Brown School (through fifth grade). The memo said schools have products available in nurses— offices as well.
School staff said there is no data indicating inoperable dispensers; the standard reporting route is a 311 service request entered by school office staff (school secretaries, principals or assistant principals), with district staff typically cc—d so they can monitor requests and response. Custodial staff are responsible for refilling dispensers; staff said spot checks showed many units were roughly three-quarters full at the time of inspection.
Committee members asked for data on refill frequency and whether dispensers are sited in gender-neutral and boys— restrooms to ensure access for all students; staff said they would follow up with building-level custodial data and clarify installation locations.
