STRONG - Camaraderie, compromise and consolidation were the order of the day at a joint meeting of SADs 9 and 58 directors meeting Wednesday night.

The boards met at Strong School to discuss the potential consolidation of their districts, either by state edict or financial necessity.

The group of 11 directors from SAD 9 and nine from SAD 58, as well as each district's superintendent, had an open-ended and wide-ranging discussion that encompassed the possibilities of consolidation or sharing services.

"In some ways, we're going by the seat of our pants," said SAD 9 Chairman Ray Glass, adding, "Our wish is that we can work together as equals."

SAD 58 Superintendent Quentin Clark echoed Glass' sentiments. "We have discovered that we have a lot more in common than we have divided," he said, referencing the similarities in each district's demographics and problems.

The general consensus of directors was that aligning could have a great deal of benefit for students and having such discussions will prepare them for possible forced consolidation by the state.

"If there is a time when districts come together, you can take everyone's strengths and raise each other to that level," said SAD 9 Superintendent Michael Cormier.

"You can trust your neighbors more than you can trust the state," added Clark.

Several directors were excited about the possibility of students having access to opportunities not available at their school.

For instance, Mt. Blue's music program is one of the best in the state, while Mt. Abram has a large technological edge.

"I'm really excited about the potential," said Jo Josephson of Temple.

While many directors assumed that consolidation is an eventuality, Alan Morse or Phillips disagreed. "I am not willing, at this point, to accept consolidation as a given," he said. "My community does not want this."

"If consolidation does not happen this year, it is going to happen. We need to figure out what we can share," responded SAD 58 Chairman Gerald Pond of Strong.

In fact, local control and maintaining small community schools were concerns of several directors. "This (meeting) states to the state how strong we are as a community," said Mark Prentiss of Industry.

Glass summed up the panel's goals in three areas: school choice, keeping small community schools open and retaining local identity.

"If we blend, it would not be everybody becoming the same," he said.