West Paris residents will get a chance to ask questions and share opinions on the future of the former Agnes Gray Elementary School during a public hearing Oct. 23.

The hearing will start at 6 p.m. at the Town Office, 25 Kingsbury St., following the Select Board regular meeting.

The school at 170 Main St. was built in the late 1800s. It has been vacant the past 20 months after Maine School Administrative District 17 decided to close it due to lack of maintenance that led to unsafe conditions for students and staff.

Students were temporarily transferred to other schools in the district, and in October 2024 the SAD 17 board of directors opted to close the school permanently. West Paris elementary students attend Paris Elementary School.

When SAD 17 served notice to the town of its intent to permanently close the building, it initiated a state-mandated process for taxpayers to choose whether to hold onto or decline the property. The district has set a Nov. 15 deadline for the town to communicate its intent.

Assistant Town Clerk Melissa LaCombe said about two dozen residents attended the Oct. 8 Select Board meeting to learn more about the process and pending deadlines. All of those present spoke in support of retaining the property.

A parent group, The Bobcat Committee, has started fundraising in anticipation of West Paris acquiring the school. Residents are also researching grant options to help preserve it.

Residents will vote whether to retain the building as a town property during a special town meeting scheduled at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at at Ring Mckeen American Legion Post 151 at 131 Church St.

If residents vote to take ownership, the town will be faced with a long list of repairs and renovations to make the building habitable.

SAD 17 estimated it would cost more than $4 million to catch up on deferred maintenance, replace its major systems and bring the 130-year-old building up to modern codes.

To date, the Select Board has not stated a position on the issues. But since its closure, several local uses have been suggested by people, including as a new town office, headquarters for West Paris’ after-school Little Explorers program and a community center.

If voters vote against ownership of the property, state statute dictates it first be offered for sale to other private or charter schools, and then be listed on the market if no educational group purchases it.