DURHAM – The Budget Committee and selectmen unanimously agreed Tuesday night to recommend that voters approve a new $23.9 million elementary school when they go to the polls Nov. 6.

The School Committee met Tuesday night with the Budget Committee and selectmen to make the case for the facility.

Superintendent Shannon Welsh said the state will pay $21,609,709, which would include a 4,215-square-foot gymnasium. The existing gym is 4,952 square feet.

After public hearings and a straw vote of 62-0 last week, the School Committee will ask voters to approve an additional $7,78,538 in local tax dollars for a 6,670-square-foot gym.

Also included in the three referendum articles will be a request for an additional $628,290 in local tax dollars for a pitched roof because the state will only fund a flat or slightly pitched roof, Welsh said.

Voters will also be asked to fund an innovative geothermal heating and cooling system that will cost an additional $769,868 in local tax dollars. The school has been awarded a $120,000 grant for energy-saving equipment.

The proposed school is for 82,940 square feet, not including the gym. The current school is 46,380 square feet, also not including the gym.

The School Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the gym for a final straw vote on construction. Child care will be available.

Durham’s construction plan will be presented to the state Board of Education today. The concept for construction must have state approval in order to proceed.