ROCHESTER — Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School has taken the first step to possible expansion or reconstruction.

The Massachusetts School Building Authority has accepted the school, located at 476 North Ave., into an eligibility period that would begin Oct. 3 and could potentially end with a new or renovated building.

Starting Oct. 3, the district will have 270 days to submit information on a variety of topics, including current and proposed educational facilities, teaching methods, grade configurations and current and potential future educational program offerings.

The district will also form a School Building Committee during this timeframe.

The school is seeking to add vocational programs, reduce class sizes and increase academic and vocational staff, according to “A Vision for the Future,’’ a report created by Old Colony officials and provided by Superintendent of Schools Aaron Polansky.

Years will likely pass before the work is completed, Polansky said, but the effort begins here.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint,’’ according to Polansky. “It’s a marathon we’re going to run with a lot of people.’’

Added space would allow for more students to attend, Polansky said. For each of the past three years, Old Colony received more than 300 applications for 150 available spots in the freshman class, according to material provided by Polansky.

The building is well-maintained but aging, according to Polansky. The structure opened in 1975 and is “relatively unchanged,’’ which “no longer serves the needs associated with current vocational education.’’

Space is at a premium, according to the report. An office supply closet was cut in half to house student intervention services, a school psychologist used a closet housed on the back of the stage and an athletic trainer provided services to student-athletes in what was the custodial supply closet, the report states.

After the eligibility period ends, Polansky hopes the school will be entered into the next phase, when the Old Colony community will develop solutions to address their current and future needs.

That study would look at possible solutions, including an addition/renovation or the construction of a new school.

These solutions would be developed, with community input, Polansky stressed. “We will seek out the voices of stakeholders,’’ he said, with a series of opportunities for public response.

Any solution to the school’s needs would be “fiscally responsible,’’ Polansky said. “We understand that resources are finite,’’ the report reads.

The school community would seek reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a portion of the cost.

Polansky hopes the project will provide expanded life choices for students. “We want to focus on something that’s going to allow for opportunities,’’ he said. “We want to truly differentiate our graduates when they walk out the door.’’