FARMINGTON – The Maine Department of Education has approved SAD 9’s request and plan to stand alone as an independent school system under the new school reorganization law, Superintendent Michael Cormier said Monday.

Voters rejected a proposal to consolidate with SAD 58 in the Kingfield area and Coplin and Highland plantations last year. The unofficial combined vote of the 16 communities rejected the proposal 7,215-5,047 on Nov. 4, 2008.

Cormier said he outlined reasons the district should be able to stand alone in the plan submitted to the state that was approved. Among those reasons:

• SAD 9 already has a student enrollment that exceeds 2,375 students.

• It’s already a large rural district, covering approximately 450 square miles.

• It made cuts in the past few years to run the school system more efficiently, including reducing staff, combining jobs, relocating its central office to and closing the Weld school.