PARIS — Selectmen from Paris and West Paris have scheduled a public meeting Friday at 6 p.m. to consider an investigation and legal action against Maine School Administrative District 17 regarding closing Agnes Gray Elementary School in West Paris in February.

The meeting will be held at the Paris Fire Station at 137 Western Ave.

The Agnes Gray Elementary School on Main Street in West Paris has been boarded up for the winter. Maine School Administrative District 17 closed the 130-year-old building in February after Portland architectural firm LaVallee Brensinger listed numerous life safety and maintenance issues. Lisa McCann/Advertiser Democrat

The West Paris Select Board said in a notice Monday that “the purpose of the joint meeting will be to determine whether the two towns will join in launching an investigation and/or legal action related to SAD 17’s budgetary practices and its recent decision to close the Agnes Gray Elementary School without voter approval.

“The two boards have each made public statements expressing grave concerns on the part of residents who are struggling with the repercussion” of that decision “and with related implications that are causing relocation of students, disruption of bus service, failure to provide required school supplies, and other harmful impacts on the district’s students.”

West Paris Select Board Chairperson Eli White said Monday, “Our goal for this meeting is to keep the ball rolling, with our displeasure at losing our elementary school. We feel like West Paris was used so the district could get a new elementary school. Now, after our kids have suffered in a neglected facility, now a West Paris student will never set foot in a new school, if things go as they are headed now.”

Paris allocated $10,000 at its annual town meeting last spring to conduct an investigation into the performance and budget practices of the eight-town district.

“I expect the Select Boards from both towns to hear from interested parties and make a decision that best reflects the will of the people,” Paris Town Manager Natalie Andrews wrote in an email Tuesday.

Attorneys for each town are expected to present declarations with findings and recommendations about the school closing and the district’s plans to replace it. Residents will be able to ask questions and discuss the issues in an open forum.

White said any decision on whether to pursue legal action will be made by the two select boards.

With board support, Superintendent Heather Manchester closed the 130-year-old, two-story school Feb. 6 following a presentation by LaVallee Brensinger Architects’ representatives John Britton Jr. and Lance Whitehead that included a long list of code violations and unsafe conditions.

“The decision to relocate students to Paris Elementary was made in February of this year following the receipt of an architectural report that found egress violations, a failing roof, plumbing, and sanitary lines, and missing fire suppression and alarm components” Manchester wrote in an email statement.

The district will address next steps for the school at its Oct. 21 meeting, as it also pursues separate middle and elementary school construction projects.

“Student safety is our highest priority,” Manchester said. “We will be working with community leaders to assess our school repair and construction opportunities. Ultimately the voters will decide the fate of the Agnes Gray Elementary School,” she said.