Selectmen approved the school department's pursuit of state aid for repairs at Minot Forest Elementary School, but not without noting that schools must be accountable for the costs they incur.

Selectmen authorized Wareham Schools Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood to send a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for potential repair or replacement of roofs, windows, boilers, ventilation systems and school safety systems at Minot.

"The Minot School is in deplorable condition, there's no question about it," said Selectman Patrick Tropeano.

Shaver-Hood said she aims to get the project in the accelerated repair program of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, a program that reimburses the town a percentage of the project costs. That is the program used for the Wareham High School roof repair when Town Meeting voted for the project last spring. The town was reimbursed for 68 percent of the costs on the high school roof project.

After a vote of confidence from Selectmen and the School Committee, which the project already received, the next step would be for the project to be chosen by the MSBA. Then a feasibility study would need to be conducted and the project would likely again go before town officials and Town Meeting. The feasibility study for the high school roof cost $60,000, which was reimbursed by the state when the project was approved. Shaver-Hood said she doesn't currently have any cost estimates on the project or the feasibility study.

Selectmen Judith Whiteside asked why there hasn't been a capital replacement program in place at the schools to maintain the schools' infrastructures.

Shaver-Hood responded that the department has moved forward with Capital Planning Committee on the matter. She also said three years ago, Town Meeting voted down Minot School's renovations application. At that time, the project was chosen by the School Building Authority but the town voted down a proposed $575,000 feasibility study.

Minot Forest School Principal Joan Seamans said the portable classrooms at Minot were installed in 1994, and students have had to be relocated because of leaks in the portable's roofs.

Selectman Alan Slavin wanted to make sure that there wouldn't have to be additional municipal cuts made a year or two down the road if the project is accepted.

Whiteside also commented that the school side should absorb the cost of the potential repairs.

"I think it's wonderful to try and get in line for money but it's still going to be costing us money and I am not going to cut a municipal maintenance or library or a policeman. I'm just not going to do it anymore," she said.