New London — A $5.1 million plan to convert the former Beth El synagogue into a regional school for students with special needs inched closer to reality last week with a site plan approval from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

LEARN, a regional educational service center that serves 25 towns in southeastern Connecticut, is planning to consolidate its various special education programs at the 36,000-square-foot former synagogue. It will offer a facility for students struggling with developmental, emotional and behavioral, intellectual and physical challenges, along with specialized instruction and support for students with autism.

The consolidated location would bring together programs run by LEARN at Lillie B. Haynes and Niantic Center School in East Lyme, Salem Elementary School and Ledyard Middle School, among other locations.

Schools are an allowed use at the Ocean Avenue location and Beth El had hosted a school at its synagogue, whose addition in the 1970s was designed by architect Paul Rudolph. The property is listed as 582 Ocean Ave.

LEARN’s architect is preparing final construction documents for review by local building officials and the state Department of Administrative Services. DAS in December included the Ocean Avenue LEARNing Academy project as part of the priority list of school construction projects for the General Assembly for possible approval later this year. It is one of 20 projects on the list and eligible for 80 reimbursement, or $4.08 million.

Jack Cross, LEARN’s director of development, said the plan is to have renovations and a small addition completed by the end of August to have the facility open for next school year.

A portion of the renovations focus on upgrades in classrooms previously used by the Solomon Schechter Academy, which has since relocated to Temple Emanu-El in Waterford. Plans also call for upgrades to the electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems and installation of a sprinkler system.

A 875-square foot addition is planned, along with an elevator to connect the different levels of the building.

The school is expected to support about 60 students initially, ranging from prekindergarten age through 21 years old, from 18 different school districts with a staff of about 80. The facility eventually will accommodate up to 100 students. It also will become the permanent home for a regional diagnostic and consultative center.

Cross said LEARN received positive feedback from the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Beth El community, which sold the building for $1.9 million to LEARN late last year.

The facility will remain tax-exempt.

Cross said LEARN will be offering an open house as early as next month for neighbors “to let folks know what we’re all about.”

LEARN is based in Old Lyme and operates five magnet schools in southeastern Connecticut, including the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London and Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton.

 g.smith@theday.com