STRONG – SAD 58 directors plan to exercise their option to get an exemption from school consolidation, but to not necessarily use it. The board wants the option available as a backup while continuing talks with SAD 9, Coplin and Highland plantations to partner in a regional school system.

SAD 58 Superintendent Quenten Clark learned from state Rep. Tom Saviello, U-Wilton, on Tuesday night that if the district doesn’t take the exemption by Dec. 1, it will lose it, Clark said Friday.

Directors representing Avon, Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong voted last week to go through a state audit that would determine if the district qualifies for the exemption.

“The school board cannot responsibly give up the exemption,” Clark said, noting that later it could cost the communities about $150,000 in penalties if things don’t work out with SAD 9 and voters decide not to go that route.

If voters in towns involved in a reorganization vote decide to reject consolidation, the communities will be assessed fines by the state.

SAD 58 has three schools considered high performing – Phillips, Strong and Mt. Abram High School in Salem Township, Clark said, which is one part of receiving the exemption. The law requires a school system to have had less than 4 percent in central office expenses in 2006. SAD 58 had 3.86 percent, Clark said.

If the district passes the audit, the exemption would be put on the shelf and it will continue to work toward merger with SAD 9.

Representatives from towns in SADs 9 and 58 and Coplin and Highland plantations have been meeting for several weeks as they put together a plan for a school system that would span most of Franklin County to submit to the state by Dec. 1.

The plan so far includes several governance decisions, including a 25-member school board for the Western Mountains Regional School Unit, and a 60 percent vote to pass an item at the board level.

The regional planning committee meets again at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Strong Elementary School.