LIVERMORE FALLS - A new strategy was unveiled Tuesday that could mean the regional school planning committee will develop a plan to transition to a regional school unit in three years.

Talks among representatives of the committee from Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls had stalled since November.

Changes to the state reorganization law have opened some alternatives to meet the state's goal to decrease the number of school systems in the state.

They started moving forward again Tuesday in what appeared to be a more congenial and productive atmosphere.

Both system superintendents and chairpersons of school boards, and co-chairs of the planning committee had previously met to establish some common ground and then went back to individual districts to identify some goals they'd like to see met.

SAD 36 Superintendent Terry Despres presented a list of 15 goals.

They included a merger that should lead to a deeper more varied education program, three school communities maintaining a school, one central office, less staff through attrition and a clear protocol for community and staff to get factual information.

Another goal was to have the existing planning committee consider filing an alternate plan to transition to a regional school unit.

Each district faces penalties if consolidation in some form is not reached. For Jay it is estimated to be $201,192 the first year and for SAD 36 it is $163,123. One goal is to make the alternative plan more attractive to voters than paying an annual penalty.

Jay Superintendent Robert Wall said conceptually Jay's members agree with SAD 36's goals.

Wall said one of the first things that would need to take place is combine central offices to streamline functions. A cost sharing formula would need to be developed.

Jay Chairwoman Mary Redmond-Luce said residents there may see a savings at the town office where most of the school financial functions are done.

Wall said both superintendents have contracts into 2011.

He mentioned combining administrators, staff, sports programs and teams, courses, buses and high schools.

Jay's goals included common personnel agreements by 2012, common job descriptions and clearly articulated job functions, new sports and sports teams.

If a new school would be built, it would better for SAD 36 to take advantage of its existing formation to apply for state money and pay a few cents on each dollar for the school, Wall said. That would enable the regional school unit to have an aspirations centered school and a career centered school, he said.

The planning committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Jay High School library. Jay Town Manager Ruth Marden will bring financial information on what the town provides for services to the Jay school, and members will try to develop a conceptual combined central office.