WINDHAM — Residents are invited to a public discussion about possible options to alleviate middle school crowding.

The meeting will be held at Windham High School at 7 p.m., Oct. 30.

One option, a partial addition to the middle school, would be the first step in a two-phase project. A three-story addition on the front of the building would provide 16 to 18 new instructional spaces, including new labs, at a cost of about $10 million.

“Basically, the intent is that this would be the first half to renovating the middle school,” said Michael Joanis in his presentation to the Windham School Board on Oct. 16.

Phase two of the project was estimated at about $15 million.

Another option is construction of a new seventh- and eighth-grade school on London Bridge Road. Voters rejected a warrant article last year requesting funds for architectural and engineering fees for the project. Estimated construction cost rose from $25 million in last year’s proposal to $29 million in the latest discussion.

Board members tabled the idea of a $25 million full addition to add technology and lab space to the middle school, believing that a phased renovation of the site was more viable.

Vice Chair Michelle Farrell pointed out that while the options cost about the same, the phased addition approach has lower tax impact until the second phase and provides some relief within the next 18 months.

“I’ve always been on the page that a new seventh- and eighth-grade school, I think, gives you the biggest opportunity in our town,” Farrell said. “However, it’s a $30 million pricetag, and in this economy I’m not sure we can afford a $30 million pricetag.”

Member Stephanie Wimmer had some concerns that phase one of the addition plan doesn’t add core space to the school, but supports the proposal because it addresses the community’s priorities.

“This does not solve our problem. This is a great step in the direction of solving our problem,” Wimmer said. “It buys us some time.”

jhanson@newstote.com