Old Lyme — Region 18 district officials are mulling more than $40 million in upgrades to its prekindergarten, elementary and middle schools that range from basic mechanical and safety improvements to full-scale renovations that would add 20 years of useful life and more space.

Some of the suggestions in a facilities study from the Farmington-based architecture firm QA+M include moving fifth graders to the middle school or putting small additions on Mile Creek and Lyme Consolidated schools in response to enrollment increases projected for the next 10 years.

Less comprehensive options are focused on upgrading the schools' heating and cooling systems and bringing them into compliance with building and fire codes as well the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Superintendent of Schools Ian Neviaser called the cost estimates "very preliminary" when he introduced the architects, QA+M, at a Wednesday night presentation to the school board. He said the estimates are based on a review of all potential needs in the aging facilities, which were last upgraded 20 years ago.

"What they do ... is share with us everything they found that could be corrected," he said of the architects. "That is not to suggest that we need to accept every single thing that's recommended. We're very early in this process."

He said the study was triggered by the need to look at the district's heating and cooling systems in particular. The firm was hired in June for $45,850.

The basic package outlined by QA+M would cost the district $41.87 million for items like adding central air and sprinkler systems in multiple schools, replacing boilers and making entrances more secure. Recommended options for the more substantial renovations range from $43.28 million to $44.57 million.

The base upgrades would cost the district $41.87 million after reimbursement, according to the presentation. Expanding the two elementary schools in addition to the base upgrades would come with a $43.28 million net cost to the district. Moving fifth grade students into the middle school would bring the cost to $44.57 million.

QA+M principal Am'r Rusty Malik said the reason for the relatively small difference between what the district would pay for the targeted upgrades versus the full renovations involve state funding. That's because projects that wouldn't typically be covered by the Office of School Construction Grants and Review — such as boiler replacement and HVAC upgrades — are reimbursable when carried out as part of what the state calls the "renovate-as-new" framework.

The standard applies to renovation projects that result in the same useful life as a new school but at a lower cost.

While architects estimated the district would recoup $2.13 million from the state for the base upgrades, they said it would receive between $11 million and $12 million for the renovate-as-new proposals.

Additions to the elementary schools in one of the options would include 7,500 square feet at Mile Creek and 5,000 square feet at Lyme Consolidated. The addition at Mile Creek would be built on the west side opposite the gym. At Lyme Consolidated, two classrooms, a hallway and a cafeteria would be built on the east side near the gym.

In the fifth to eighth grades scenario at the middle school, preliminary plans show the band room would be moved to a 3,000 square foot addition off of the auditorium and chorus room. The existing band room would be reconfigured to include five classrooms.

School board members including Stacey Leonardo and Suzanne Thompson expressed reservations about putting fifth graders with the older kids. They were worried not only about school interaction, but about the wider age range being put together on buses.

"There's all sorts of ramifications beyond moving the band room," Thompson said.

Neviaser acknowledged a previous proposal to relocate the fifth graders was resisted 10 years ago due to busing concerns. That was back when Center School changed from a school for grades three through five to a prekindergarten facility.

"I think ultimately if people felt strongly enough that buses were an issue, we could adapt to that and make some accommodations if they wanted to still ride the elementary route or something along those lines," he said.

Malik said the next step will be for the architects and superintendent to meet with the Office of School Construction Grants and Review to get input from the state before making any decisions for the district. There is also a community presentation on the upgrades at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the middle school auditorium.

He told the school board that "a decision as to what direction you want to go in" at its Nov. 1 meeting would allow the architects to move forward with a plan for how to phase in the upgrades and then update the budget.

He emphasized the district has the most discretion when it comes to the base upgrades, with the ability to reduce the $41.87 million in recommended upgrades by selecting the highest priorities and holding off on the rest — even if it means the buildings remain noncompliant with current building and fire codes.

"Keep in mind if you do the renovate-as-new project, you have no choice," he said. "You have to bring everything up to code."

e.regan@theday.com