SACO — A November referendum that would allow the city to borrow up to $21.5 million for a new Young School and renovate Gov. John Fairfield School promises that the money would be spent to provide similar learning spaces in both buildings.

The City Council unanimously passed without comment Monday night the first approval of a bond question that would allow Saco to borrow up to $21.5 million to build a new school at the Young School site and renovate and add to the Fairfield school.

The new Young School would accommodate about 370 pre-kindergarten through second-grade pupils, while the renovated Fairfield School would support 330 pre-kindergarten through second-grade pupils.

According to the wording of the bond question, the renovations and addition to Fairfield would provide “similar learning spaces to those that will be provided in the new Young School.”

The current Young School, located on the corner of Tasker and North streets, is a modular building that was built in 2004 when the city had to tear down the previous Young School due to mold infestation. The new school was built as a short-term replacement, and many school officials say it has outlived its life expectancy.

The question of replacing two elementary schools with one citywide school or keeping the two school locations has been debated for the past few years. The School Board voted in February to approve a bond that would allow the city to borrow money for a new Young School and make renovations to Gov. Fairfield School at 75 Beach St.

Residents can weigh in on the matter at an Aug. 15 public hearing. The City Council is expected to have a final vote on Sept. 6.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.