FARMINGTON – The W.G. Mallett Elementary School may soon have more than a facelift; it may be replaced.

The Mallett School Committee on Wednesday night settled on a plan that would raze the school building and put up a new school in its place. After six months of debate, research and conferring with architect Stephen Blatt, the committee of SAD 9 directors, faculty and community members came to a near-unanimous decision.

The meeting was facilitated by Western Maine Educational Collaborative Executive Director Mona Baker. Baker divided the group into four teams and had them execute an analysis of each of four options based on the strengths, needs, opportunities and worries of each option. The teams then critiqued and expanded each other’s ideas. By the end of the meeting, the option that had no detractors was approved.

It was seen as a balance of cost saving (the most efficient dollar-saving option was to expand Cascade Brook School and the least was to renovate the existing Mallett building) and satisfying community desire to retain the Mallett location.

Baker was surprised and pleased that a resolution was reached quickly.

“It looks like you have your recommendation right there,” she said, referring to the tear-down and rebuild option. The committee agreed and decided to bring the proposal to SAD 9 directors.

Community dedication was the main driving force behind retaining the Mallet site. Mallett librarian and committee member Betsy Turcotte gave a passionate presentation in defense of the site. She had several pages of comments from people citing location, enrichment opportunities, proximity to attractions, and collaborations with UMF in support of retaining the Mallett location.

“Our community members have said it better than we can say it,” she said, adding that she received no e-mails in support of moving to Cascade Brook.

The recommendation will be proposed to SAD 9 directors when they meet at 7 p.m. March 11 in the Mt. Blue High School Library. The Mallett School Committee will meet again at 6 p.m. March 12 in Mallett School.