Historic preservation is part of the ethos of Martha’s Vineyard. Consider the lengths the museum is going to save the old Marine Hospital. Islanders may decry the neglect of the Island theatre, but heaven forbid it might be torn down. So it is no surprise that the decision to demolish the current elementary school in Tisbury will not go down easily.

Built in 1929 on a small hilltop on West William street, the brick school has a certain imposing stolidity that marks public buildings of its era, designed to project strength and elevated purpose.

But the school is years overdue for modernization, and in lengthy hearings and discussions over the past two years, another strong value — for a smooth educational experience for kids — vied with preservation for the upper hand. In the end, a 17-member building committee has determined that building a new school adjacent to the old school will provide for a better transition. Children will be able to attend school in the same building during construction and will not need to be housed in trailers. The approach, however, apparently means the old school will eventually come down.

Like it or not, the decision came after nearly two years of open and at times vigorous debate. There have been 21 open meetings on the school project and two community surveys. One contingent favored moving the school to property outside of town. But there was strong sentiment too for keeping the community school in the heart of the community — and in the end the committee strongly leaned that way too. On June 19, the committee voted 11-5 to build a new school. This week, it affirmed that decision.

The project will mark the most significant capital expenditure in many decades for the town. The estimated price tag for the new school is $45 million. The town has qualified for the Massachusetts School Building Authority grant program which means it is eligible to be reimbursed for slightly more than 40 per cent of the cost, leaving the town with a final bill of around $30 million.

It does seem unfortunate and wasteful to tear down a handsome old brick building when the Island has so many infrastructure needs — for affordable housing, elderly housing, town offices or administrative offices for the Vineyard school superintendent, to name a few. But the sad truth is that the cost and effort of renovating old buildings to modern safety and energy efficiency standards makes this alternative far less attractive than building new. That no viable proposal has been made for an alternative use for the building speaks volumes.

The Tisbury school building committee has been faced with daunting logistics and a difficult balancing act. The committee has acted in good faith at every step along the way. There is a large amount of information to sort. Parents and educators are understandably concerned about the disruptions that will take place during construction. But the committee made every effort to get community involvement in the decision. Second guessing its work at this stage only serves only to divide and undermine.