GRAY – A plan to consolidate SAD 15 and School Union 29 is on hold pending a response from state Commissioner of Education Susan Gendron, it was announced at Wednesday’s public forum.

“We’re on hold from our committee work until the commissioner can respond to Union 29’s proposal to submit an alternative plan,” SAD 15 board Chairman Alan Rich told about 50 people at the information meeting.

Union 29, which includes Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls, filed for an alternative to joining with SAD 15, Rich said.

In response, SAD 15 sent Gendron a letter.

“We asked the commissioner to consider an alternative plan for SAD 15 since we have no viable partner,” Rich said.

The commissioner answered in a letter Wednesday that the consolidation law, which calls for reducing the number of school systems from about 290 to about 75, stands.

However, she will consider SAD 15’s request and reply by Feb. 1.

A complete consolidation plan between Union 29 and SAD 15 is due March 28, unless the plan changes.

“There will be no joint meetings until the outcome of the response,” Rich said.

He said barriers to consolidation for SAD 15 include a $1.5 million expense to taxpayers of Gray and New Gloucester.

L.D. 1932 is an amendment pending before Maine’s Senate to remove financial and other barriers to cutting school administration costs. No action on that bill has occurred.

Local debt and capital reserve money for each school system must also be resolved.

There is also uncertainty that the savings from cutting administrative costs would offset the expenses of personnel contracts.