Proponents of revamping the town’s elementary schools have an “aggressive timeline” for funding the project. On Monday, Selectmen learned from those working toward finding the best solution for upgrading or perhaps consolidating the schools that a debt exclusion vote is being planned for November 2018.

Minot Forest Elementary School is more than 50 years old and has outdated electrical wiring, a lack of space and windows, floors, ceilings and boilers that need to be replaced.

After voters at April Town Meeting approved the borrowing of $1 million to fund a feasibility study, the School Building Committee has been trying to create a space that is agreeable to students and community members. The feasibility study will explore different options for revamping the school. The study is a requirement of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which will reimburse the town 70 percent of the project’s construction cost.

On Monday, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood, the School Committee Chair, the district’ business manager and two design professionals presented Selectmen with an update.

Chad Crittenden of PMA Consultants said the group is currently exploring design options and sites for a new school that might combine Minot Forest School and John W. Decas Elementary.

“All of that will be studied in detail over the next three to four months,” said Crittenden.

Two sites on Charge Pond Road, land near Town Hall and the current locations of Decas and Minot are options, he said. An early submission proposal is due to the Massachusetts School Building Authority by Jan. 9.

Crittenden said plans call for completing a design in time for voters to consider a debt exclusion at the October 2018 Town Meeting. If approved, the issue would go before voters for final approval during the November election in the form of a ballot question. The debt exclusion would raise taxes on residents to pay for the project for the life of the debt.

“The reason for that is there will be a higher turnout at the polls because of the state election,” said Crittenden.

Selectmen stressed the importance of keeping the community informed during the design process and soliciting input.

Selectman Alan Slavin said he preferred combining the two schools. If that were to occur, the building would house approximately 1,100 students and be roughly the same size as Wareham High School.

Selectmen Chair Peter Teitelbaum voiced his support for building near Town Hall. That would put all of the town’s schools in a central location “provided there’s room.”

Shaver-Hood said that moving forward residents are invited to all of the committee’s meeting to provide input.

“We want to address everyone’s comments and questions,” she said.