KARNS CITY — Facing major building repairs and aging equipment and facilities, board members and administrators at the Karns City School District want to begin early planning on possible renovations or a major building project.

They say an important step is getting public comment.

The potential projects, which haven’t been formally proposed or priced-out yet, likely would cost $25 million to $55 million, school officials said at Monday’s school board meeting, using cost projections from a 2011 feasibility study.

Superintendent Eric Ritzert said the decision is complicated by the high costs associated with any major renovation or construction project, as well as Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed moratorium on PlanCon, a program through with school districts can receive partial reimbursements for projects.

“Right now, as we sit here, any decision you make should assume that it (PlanCon) won’t be there,” Ritzert said.

PlanCon’s absence would likely add millions of dollars to any project.

Ritzert said that major work like roof repairs are needed at all three of the school buildings — Chicora Elementary School, Sugarcreek Elementary School, and the junior senior high school.

The high school’s gymnasium floor will likely need to be replaced, he said, and aging equipment and mechanics like the building’s boiler system mean big expenses are on the horizon no matter what the district decides to do.

He proposed putting all options on the table, including the possibility of closing down school buildings and “centralizing” operations. That would cost more than $55 million.

Other options include major renovations or some combination of closures and renovations. These options’ costs start at about $25 million.

The next step is getting residents involved.

“I’d like to hear the public’s idea on it,” said Josh Price, board vice president. “We need to figure out, is this the best step 30, 40 years out?”

Ritzert said he wants to begin holding public meetings to seek input from residents, and acknowledged that the process might be a years-long one.