DIXFIELD – The SAD 21 board voted unanimously Monday in opposition to Gov. John Baldacci’s proposal to consolidate 152 school districts into 26.

The action came on the heels of an all-day hearing in Augusta regarding the proposal. School board members, superintendents and other school-related individuals testified.

Dixfield representative Barbara Chow said the three districts slated for merging under the governor’s proposal – SADs 21, 43, and 44 – already regionalize many purchases and other things. She said the timeline proposed by the governor and Department of Education is also too short to implement all the ideas.

“It took several years for a merger with Peru,” she said.

The three districts’ superintendents have been working together for several years to find ways to purchase items or share services.

Cindy Bissell, a representative from Canton, also attended the hearings in Augusta.

She said she questioned how passage of the consolidations would reduce property taxes.

“They said money saved would go to tax relief, but others said the money would go back to education. Where is the relief?” she asked.

Superintendent Tom Ward said several competing proposals are out there, citing one by Sen. Peter Mills, R-Skowhegan, although he did not provide details on any of them.

“I don’t believe anyone has made up their minds. Everyone predicts the governor’s plan won’t go through, but a variation,” he said.

The Legislature is expected to meet on the governor’s proposal or another plan in March.

The resolution approved by the SAD 21 board was devised by the Western Maine Superintendent’s Association. Among objections were: skepticism about an estimated $250 million savings; disagreement with the boundaries of the 26 proposed regions; exclusion of ideas and proposals from experts other than from top state officials; a time frame too short to implement; possible job elimination of longtime employees; no mechanism for local voter approval; and a loss of local control of schools.

Chow said Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, recommended that each board member e-mail the state committee members with their beliefs and opinions of the governor’s proposal.

In other matters on Monday, the board learned of the resignation of longtime Dixfield Elementary School kindergarten teacher April Jamison and the hiring of David Buck and Kelly O’Brien as assistant track coaches at Dirigo High School, and Donna Gilbert as head track coach at the high school.