SANFORD — Depending on where they live, some students in this community begin kindergarten in one school, go to a different school for grades one through three, and head to another school for grades four through six. Or, if they live in a different area of the city, they may spend all of their elementary years in one school.

The school department has long voiced a desire to minimize the number of transitions, particularly in the elementary school grades, and now, financial strictures may make restructuring elementary school and the junior high school a necessity, according to Superintendent of Schools David Theoharides.

Eventually, a new elementary school will be built to replace the 112-year-old Emerson School, as Sanford has been approved for state school construction funding for both a high school and an elementary school, but that won’t happen for a few years. It is expected the new school will also replace Lafayette School and Willard School.

In the meantime, Emerson School needs a considerable amount of work, and a current-year state curtailment on aid to education means the loss of $161,000. As well, Theoharides told the school committee Monday, Gov. Paul LePage’s state budget proposal would flat-fund school education aid next year and make a portion of teacher retirement funding the responsibility of school districts.

The district is currently proposing to move grade six, including special education, from Willard School to Sanford Junior High School; and would close Emerson School, moving its grades one through three to Willard School. It establishes two kindergarten classes at Lafayette School, so students can attend K-3 there until a new school is built.

In the long term, however, the proposal would see all grade six classes move to Sanford Junior High School, creating a middle school and three K-5 elementary schools in Sanford ”“ consolidating Emerson, Lafayette and Willard into one facility, creating North, South and Central elementary schools. Carl J. Lamb and Margaret Chase Smith schools are expected to be largely unaffected by these changes.

An electrical issue cropped up at Emerson School about one month ago and requires a $6,000 fix, which will be done, said Theoharides, who stressed the school is safe. But he said the school is old and needs a lot of other work, too, and it is a building that will close in a few years.

School district facilities manager Ty Pombriant said the cost to replace the roof at Emerson School is $250,000 and about $68,000 has been budgeted for a partial replacement this year.

School business manager Scott Wyman estimated that if Emerson School were closed, $100,000 would be saved.

No decisions have been made, and Theoharides told the school committee Monday there will be a series of community meetings on the proposal. He said he was looking for a nod from the school committee to keep exploring the restructuring.

School committee member Adam Cote suggested Theoharides develop a couple of alternate options should this one not work out.

“I’m 100 percent on board with minimizing transitions,” said member Don Jamison.

Chairwoman Kendra Williams gave a view to the long term.

“It’s important to remember we’re preparing for a new elementary school. The more we can get done now in how classes are divided, it will make for a better transition,” she said.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.