DIXFIELD – It was unanimous. Members of the merged SAD 21 Consolidated School Board chose PDT Architects of Portland to design and site its new 350-pupil elementary school.

But that decision, and another – picking Stephen Blatt Architects as the board’s second choice – took nearly four hours Monday night at Dirigo High School in Dixfield.

At a previous meeting, directors chose Blatt, PDT and SMRT, all of Portland, to attend Monday night’s meeting. Each firm was given 60 minutes to try and convince directors why their company was better qualified for the job.

But in the end, it was PDT’s strategy of putting community first in its presentation and architectural work that swayed directors.

Canton Director Cindy Bissell said, “PDT really impressed me. They seemed to be a little more at ease in talking to people and they get a lot of input from the community.”

Dixfield Director Victoria Brown liked its energy efficiency plans and willingness to listen to teachers in designing a school.

Canton Director Scott Verrill said he was most impressed by its pioneering work in the green.

“They’re heading in the right direction, they work as a team and they connect with people, and that’s going to be very important in our process,” he said.

Others, like Carthage Director Linda Berry liked PDT’s site selection process explanation, and the fact that it put community first in its presentation.

Board Chairman Richard Colpitts said that although all three firms were highly qualified, he would have the greatest confidence in the top choice.

The board also had to choose a runner-up firm in case an agreement cannot be reached with PDT for the project, SAD 21 Superintendent Thomas Ward said.

The first motion to go with SMRT failed by a 7-6 vote; a second motion choosing the Blatt firm was approved by a 10-2 vote with one abstention.

The next step in the process is for Ward, Colpitts and a member of the Maine Department of Education’s school construction team to invite PDT back for a second interview, and negotiations on a fee for the work.