STRONG – A revised plan that would consolidate 16 communities into one school system has been approved by the state commissioner of education and will go to voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Informational meetings on the proposal to merge SAD 9 in Farmington, SAD 58 in Kingfield and Highland and Coplin plantations into the Western Mountains Regional School District will be held in October.

Representatives from Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Temple, Vienna, Weld and Wilton in SAD 9, and Eustis, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong in SAD 58, and the two plantations have worked for more than a year on a plan to become one district, as required by the state. On Sept. 4, the committee voted 13-9 for a revised plan, which altered how costs would be shared. Some larger towns have more than one representative.

On Sept. 9, SAD 9 directors voted 9-5 to submit the revised plan to the Maine Department of Education. On Sept. 11, SAD 58 directors voted 6-3 to do the same.

Highland and Coplin plantations’ school boards also approved sending the plan to the state.