EAST PROVIDENCE — The city council and school committee held its first joint meeting of the current session Tuesday night, Feb. 28, a forum focusing mainly on the looming issue of whether to renovate or replace the six-decade-old East Providence High School building.

Nate Cahoon, the Ward 3 school committee representative and chairman of the joint city-district sub-committee on facilities, led the discussion. Mr. Cahoon gave an overview of the current status of the high school structure, which remains a concern of local, state and regional officials.

Late last year, the city and school district agreed to hire an outside consulting firm, SLAM Collaborative architects, to determine the short and long-term viability of the structure. That report, the early indication seemingly leaning towards full replacement of the high school, is expected to be made public sometime in the early spring.

“It’s unlikely (the report) is going to come back and say renovate the existing building,” Mr. Cahoon told his peers.

He added, “I figure we need to start putting the pieces in place for a new building.”

The sub-committee chair continued, saying the current structure lacks the form and function of modern education and the anticipated changes to curriculum in the future.

Aside from Mr. Cahoon’s comments, it’s been unanimously agreed by observers inside and out of the district, the building’s infrastructure, its heating/plumbing and electrical systems, is in dire need of significant repair.

Citing new buildings proposed and/or approved for construction in neighboring Barrington as well as in North Providence, Mr. Cahoon and schools superintendent Kathryn Crowley said the city should anticipate a new high school costing in the neighborhood of $100 million.

Those who joined the discussion Tuesday said it was important for the bodies to develop a plan encompassing both the aesthetic quality and financing for the new high school as soon as possible.

Mr. Cahoon noted it was “likely the cost would exceed the current bond capability” of the city, adding the price tag was probably “north of $100 million” while East Providence’s bond capacity was likely “south of $100 million.”

Ward 2 school committee member Tony Ferreira, appearing to support the construction of a new high school, cautioned the cost could be even greater. A professional in the construction field whose focus is often on matters of facilities, Mr. Ferreira said in personnel consultation with others in the arena it was likely the cost to reconstruct EPHS in its current footprint would cost in the range of $170 million.

With that in mind, Mr. Cahoon insisted the process of determining how the city and district approaches the situation will be done so in a “transparent” manner.

He said, “By no means is this an Ad Hoc process.” The Rhode Island Department of Education and other agencies will be involved. The city and district would need to meet certain construction and financial milestones and gain approvals throughout.

Mr. Cahoon also urged the involvement of city residents.

“Hopefully, they will take a sincere interest in putting the next great East Providence High School in place,” he added.

It was also noted any construction of a new facility would take at least 8-10 years and the city's outlay would likely fluctuate depending on the funding formula for state subsidies at the time of building.

Besides talk about the renovation/replacement of the high school, the joint session touched on a few other topics of importance.

Ward 3 councilman Joe Botelho, who also appeared to initially support building a new structure, asked if there were plans in place if the high school suffered a “catostrophic” failure of one or any of main functions. Mrs. Crowley and district facilities director Tony Feola said there were, the superintendent saying it would likely mean the high school moving into Martin Middle School with those students needing to be placed at Riverside Middle School. The superintendent also said the administration has also looked at the possibility of leasing commercial property if the event ever occurred.

Two safety issues were discussed with the input of East Providence Police Chief Chris Parella. The chief said consideration is being made to improve/strengthen the corps of traffic personnel and patterns at the schools. He also addressed the matter of registered sex offenders living near school buildings, noting a public database is available for viewing, a link to which is on the city website.

The bodies adjourned Tuesday’s meeting after setting up two more open forums in the near future. A joint session is scheduled for March 28 at 6:30 p.m. at EPHS, including a tour of the facility for elected officials and administrators. A follow-up session is slated for April 25 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall, when the report of SLAM is expected to be presented for discussion.