WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) -- The Warwick School Committee met Wednesday night to discuss the increasing cost to build new schools.

Officials said the cost of the high school project has jumped to nearly $400 million.

Chris Spiegel, with LeftField Project Management, estimated the cost to rebuild Pilgrim and Toll Gate High Schools will reach $388 million.

Voters approved the project for $350 million in 2022.

"We need to be clear. You saw that intense rise in school construction costs. For every month that this project gets delayed, there are substantial real costs associated with that," said Spiegel.

Despite the increase, some committee members are standing by the project.

The committee said the new schools are vital for attracting families to Warwick and giving students the best education possible.

Some members have floated the idea of bringing the project back to the voters.

Major Frank Picozzi told NBC 10 he isn't in favor of that approach.

"You only get a small percentage. There are other things we can do," said Picozzi.

Other options include potential cuts to the wrestling team, chorus and the gymnasium.

"Unless we can have what we were shown in August, I wouldn't be in favor of it going forward," said member, Leah Hazelwood, who is also running against the current mayor.

"I will not support those cuts. That isn't what our voters want."

Construction is currently scheduled to start in March of 2025.

The school committee plans to revisit this again at a meeting in January.