LIVERMORE FALLS – Members of a regional school planning committee voted unanimously Wednesday to submit a plan to form one school district encompassing Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls.

The plan goes to the SAD 36 Board of Directors and the Jay School Committee Thursday, Nov. 13, to vote on sending it to state Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron.

But even before that, the plan will be sent on its way to Augusta because the individual school systems vote to send it is only a technicality and required by law, school officials said Wednesday. Each school board could, however, decide in a separate vote whether they want to support the plan or not support it.

The commissioner is expected to either give her approval or denial requesting changes within a few days of receiving the document and exhibits.

The planning committee also voted to hold a referendum on the plan in each of the towns on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The plan calls for a 10-member school board to oversee the new school district, if approved by voters. The cost-sharing method between the towns for school operations would be based on state valuation for the first five years. However, there is a clause in the plan that gives options on how that method could be changed.

Members of both school panels anticipate holding community information meetings on the plan prior to it going before voters, and a possible newsletter.

SAD 36 Chairman Ashley O’Brien also said he anticipates information on the plan to be put up on the SAD 36 Web site with a place for people to ask questions and get answers on the proposal. He said he also anticipates holding one community meeting in each town.

Jay School Committee Chairwoman Mary Redmond-Luce said that panel would also be holding meetings.

She said it would be good to hold a joint meeting with community members from each town to ease some of the fears that a consolidated school system between the three towns cannot work.

Jay School Committee members plan to meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Jay Middle School library to vote. SAD 36 school directors plan to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Cedar Street Learning Complex to vote during its regular meeting.

State-hired facilitator Bill Cumming commended the planning committee, superintendents and their staff, Jay Town Manager Ruth Marden and all others who supported this stage of the planning process.

If voters approve the plan in January, a transitional team will be formed to move it to the next stage.