DIXFIELD – SAD 21 Superintendent Tom Ward said his district will likely file a letter of intent with the state Department of Education to administratively partner with four area districts.

“Things will be clearer as we move along and figures become more consistent and accurate,” he said Wednesday afternoon.

The latest information of the state’s mandate for most districts to find administrative partners was discussed at the SAD 21 board meeting Monday night.

“We’re nervous. On one hand it doesn’t matter who we partner with because of our low valuation, but we don’t want to penalize another district,” he said.

SAD 21 has begun discussions with neighboring SAD 43 in Rumford, SAD 44 in Bethel, SAD 39 in Buckfield, and Union 37 in Rangeley.

“We’re hoping the state will step in. Higher state valuation districts are in the worst situation,” he said.

SAD 43 Superintendent Jim Hodgkin scheduled a special meeting of his board for Monday to discuss just that issue.

Ward said once the five school districts hold a second talking session on Aug. 28, which will be held behind closed doors in Bethel, he plans to go before the selectmen’s boards in his district’s four member towns to provide an update on consolidation efforts, such as which district or districts SAD 21 plans to partner with.

He said a regional planning committee of the districts that plan to work toward an administrative consolidation will be made up of town and school board representatives. Selectmen may be asked to name a community representative from their respective towns.

SAD 21 is made up of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield and Peru. Those planning committee meetings will be open to the public.