Wareham High School was approved to receive as much as $1.8 million from the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the replacement of the high school roof if voters approve funding for the town's share at next month's Town Meeting.

"This is a good opportunity. We're in dire need of a new roof," said Michael MacMillan, the district's business manager.

The high school opened in 1991. The roof has a rubber membrane that is covered by rocks. When the roof leaks, it is difficult to find the tears, and moving the rocks can potentially make more tears.

The high school gymnasium roof was repaired last year, after chronic leaking caused indoor sporting events to be "rained out" and caused a hazard for gym classes.

The project, which will cost no more than $2.7 million, will go before Town Meeting. If approved, the town would pay the difference between the cost and the state grant. The project will include the removal of the existing roof system, removal of wet or damaged installation, repair of the roof deck as needed and installation of a new roof system.

The high school was one of six schools in the state that the Massachusetts School Building Authority chose over the summer for its "accelerated repair program," which reimburses districts for 68 percent of the cost of projects it approves.

MacMillan said that, depending on when the project is approved, it could start as early as the summer.