OXFORD – The stage has been set for a spirited discussion about the state’s latest plan to consolidate school districts across the state in the next year.

“The landscape continues to shift in this whole area,” SAD 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman told his Board of Directors on Monday night.

The most recent plan comes from the Appropriations Subcommittee, which has proposed legislation to whittle the state’s 290 school systems down to 80, based on their geography, physical proximity and transportation, demographics, population density, educational opportunities and other criteria. Proponents say the move would save about $36.5 million in fiscal 2009. No changes would be made to career and technical education centers.

While the proposal mandates that only those districts with 2,500 or less students would be consolidated, SAD 17 could ultimately be affected, said Eastman, who has asked the 22 directors from eight towns to review the plan and be prepared to discuss it at the board meeting April 30.

Eastman said the DOE has proposed an aggressive timetable that includes the design and presentation of models beginning next month. Affected school units must accept the DOE plan or propose an alternative by July 31. If no alternative is submitted, the DOE will make the placement. The new regional school units, including newly elected regional governing boards, budgets and superintendents, will be in place by July 1, 2008.

“It’s going to be very interesting,” said Eastman as he relayed to the Board of Directors the timetable, which includes a mandate that all schools, including SAD 17, complete a Department of Education survey by today. The survey will detail in part how schools have attempted previously to consolidate staff or programs.

Although it appears that, under the new proposal, SAD 17 would not be forced to join another district, there is always the possibility that the DOE will decide another unit should be consolidated with the district.

SAD 17 has already created regional opportunities with SAD 39, including adult and vocational educational instruction, as well as a plan, now under consideration by both school systems, to share administrators. Eastman said total consolidation with the SAD 39 system of Buckfield, Sumner and Hartford could create more educational opportunities for SAD 17 students.

One way or the other, SAD 39 officials will probably look at SAD 17 for consolidation, Eastman predicted.

“If the state doesn’t mandate it it, I think they’ll come calling and bring flowers,” Eastman said.

Smaller districts in the area have been discussing their impending consolidation for months, and at least one district besides SAD 39 has already called SAD 17. Eastman said he has received a call from Union 29, comprised of Minot, Mechanic Falls and Poland, about its interest in looking at the district. He said the Lakes Region School District – Bridgton, Casco, Denmark, Naples – is already looking at combining with another district and would probably not be interested in consolidating with SAD 17.

The questions and uncertainties about the consolidation plan even for SAD 17 are significant, Eastman said. They include: the cost-sharing method if SAD 17 and 39 combine; the impact on property taxes; location of the central office; and whether the bus and maintenance facilities would adequately and appropriately serve a large geographical area.

Eastman has asked each board member to listen to the concerns of constituents this week and to determine whether, if there is a choice, the board member would favor staying independent or expand to include SAD 39. He has also asked that board members return to the table with an answer as to whether SAD 17 should proceed with sharing assistant superintendent services.