STRONG – A plan to consolidate 16 communities in Franklin and Somerset counties into one school system has been approved by a regional planning committee.

The plan for the Western Mountains Regional School District now goes on to the school boards of SADs 9 and 58, and Coplin and Highland plantations. Highland Plantation is the only community in Somerset County.

The planning committee voted 27-2 Thursday to recommend those school boards adopt the total proposed plan as presented and amended to be submitted to the state Department of Education to meet the Dec. 1 deadline, according to minutes of the meeting.

SAD 9 directors will take up the plan at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Mt. Blue High School library in Farmington during their regular meeting.

SAD 58 directors will take it up at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at the Kingfield Elementary School.

Coplin and Highland plantations’ boards had yet to set a date as of Friday.

Voters in all communities in the district will have a chance to vote on joining the new consolidated school district next year.

The planning committee voted on many items Thursday pertaining to the plan before it was accepted.

The committee approved paying the directors of the new regional school system $25 for attendance at each regular and special meeting in a 24-4 vote.

They also approved the new board establishing a mileage rate to be paid to each director for travel expenses to those meetings in a 28-1 vote.

They also voted to recommend that the central office be relocated as close to the geographical center as is feasible in the new district in 25-2 vote.