JACKSON TWP — Replacing the aging Evans City Elementary and Middle School could cost as much as $67 million.

Last week the Seneca Valley School Board interviewed architects to explore design options for the building, which was constructed in 1939.

Teams from Architectural Innovations, CannonDesign, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates and Stantec presented their design processes, experiences and thoughts on the possible sites for the school during meetings held Wednesday and Thursday.

Evans City Elementary and Middle School is the district's oldest building. Renovating and adding on to the current school building could cost about $42 million. A new K-6 school at Evans City could cost about $52 million and a new K-6 building on Ehrman Road would be around $67 million, according to options presented in a November 2015 feasibility study.

“We know that Evans City is our first building that we either need to renovate or build new,” said school Superintendent Tracy Vitale.

Possible options for the aging school are to renovate the current building, construct a new building at the Evans City site or build new at a property on Ehrman Road that the district owns.

The architect that is hired will explore all options.

The 150-acre property on Ehrman Road is an undeveloped, wooded area that splits Cranberry and Jackson townships. It abuts Interstate 79 to the east.

While the architecture firms differed in their design processes and focus, each discussed their view of how 21st century learning principles and practices can be applied to a building and the options for each proposed site.

Architectural Innovations, based in Ross Township, Allegheny County, brought a large team representing the different areas of design and construction to the interview, while Jan Brimmeier, president and owner, led the presentation.

Architectural Innovations, the largest woman-owned architectural firm headquartered in the state, emphasized the strength of its team of specialists and its attention to staying on budget.

“We have completed over 1,000 projects that have not exceeded budget, schedule or project contingency,” Brimmeier said.

CannonDesign, located in downtown Pittsburgh, was represented by architect Michael Corb, who was involved with the district's feasibility study two years ago while working for Stantec. Corb also brought in representatives from Tower Engineering and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.

Anne Fullencamp, design director at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, said the museum would work as a link between the design team and the school staff to assist in design. They want to take the joy of informal learning, like at museums, and apply it to the formal learning environment of school.

“It's about reimagining the typical K-6 school experience,” she said.

Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, based in Mechanicsburg, was led by John Beddia, director of operations. He emphasized their “client-oriented approach to architecture” as well as their knowledge of grant writing.

Beddia said they have gotten nearly $14 million in grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for educational facilities.

“The DCED grant process, not too many architects know about it,” he said.

Stantec, based in Butler, guided the district through a feasibility study two years ago which is how many of the issues and possible options with the Evans City school were first addressed.

Representatives with Stantec discussed how site selection should be tied closely with the vision for the school building. They also talked about how different collaboration spaces can be combined with classroom spaces.

“That's what our process is about, combining site selection with an overall vision,” said Alex Wing, education principal with Stantec.

The school board will discuss the architects at meetings in September or October and hire one to begin formally exploring options for Evans City Elementary and Middle School.