AUGUSTA (AP) – A group seeking to repeal Maine’s school consolidation law has filed repeal petitions with the secretary of state.

Lawrence “Skip” Greenlaw, who chairs the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, said the group delivered 61,142 signatures Friday. That’s 6,055 more than the minimum needed to force a referendum in November 2009 if the Legislature fails to act.

Greenlaw said the Secretary of State’s Office indicated it would not review the petitions until January because of the busy election season.

Critics of school consolidation maintain that the law is not producing the savings promised by its supporters.