JEFFERSON TWP — The South Butler School District will be taking a close look at its facilities.

The district’s school board Wednesday night hired Foreman Architects Engineers of Zelienople to conduct assessments on each of its buildings.

The study, which will cost about $29,000, was approved by a 6-2 vote.

The assessment will begin next month and last about half a year.

It will review all of the district’s buildings, including maintenance buildings and perimeter sidewalks.

“They will examine the age and condition of the systems within the buildings, and the life cycle of those systems,” said Jason Davidek, spokesman for the district.

Davidek said the study will make sure the buildings are up to codes.

At the end of the study, conclusions will be presented to the school board for consideration in making long-term plans.

“The assessment is a first step in gaining insight into where each building stands,” Davidek said.

Davidek said the primary school, which was built in 2003, likely won’t require too much attention since it is new. Most of the attention will be on the intermediate school, as well as the middle/high school building.

Davidek said the engineering firm will work alongside district maintenance staff during the assessment.

The district had been discussing the study for a couple of months.