LIVERMORE FALLS – More than 75 people attended a hearing Tuesday on a plan to consolidate Jay and SAD 36 school systems.

Voters in Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls will vote on the plan Tuesday, Jan. 27, at polling places in each town.

SAD 36 school board Chairman Ashley O’Brien, who is co-chairman of the regional planning committee that developed the plan, gave an overview of the proposal at the high school.

If voters approve it, it would go into effect July 1.

O’Brien fielded questions on the proposal including if voters reject the plan, each school system would be required to pay a penalty. For Jay it would be about $201,000 and for SAD 36 it would be about $163,000.

It is estimated there will be about $318,000 saved in the third year by have one superintendent, restructuring central office staff and other reductions.

SAD 36 Director Denise Rodzen said Rumford and Mexico merged years ago and people there have worked together to develop a well-working school system.

Livermore resident Linda Brundage asked if voters approved the merger and the state Legislature or voters appeal the school reorganization law, would the school systems be locked into the consolidation.

An interpretation two weeks ago, was “yes,” O’Brien said. But there are other interpretations, including if the law is repealed then school consolidations would be reversed.

“My gut feeling is, I would proceed if we vote to merge, we vote to marry and there is no divorce,” O’Brien said.

Asked what the SAD 36 directors’ recommendation on the proposal was, O’Brien said they didn’t make a recommendation.

Teacher and SAD 36 resident Michelle Brann, a newer staff member, asked about jobs in the consolidated district and how it would be decided to trim staff.

SAD 36 has a generally a younger staff than Jay, O’Brien said. SAD 36 also has a higher staff-to-pupil ratio than Jay, he said.

“I cannot tell you whether or not there would be layoffs,” he said.

Jay School Committee Chairwoman Mary Redmond Luce, also co-chairman of the planning committee, said it would depend on who voters in each town voted to lead the new district on where the savings would be.

Livermore Falls resident and Selectman Bill Demaray said essentially there is a five member split between Jay and Livermore Falls/Livermore on the new board. There would be five members from Jay, three from Livermore Falls and two from Livermore.

What if the town line doesn’t disappear? Demaray asked.

O’Brien pointed out that former SAD 36 director Clint Boothby of Livermore, also a planning committee member, said the only case of disparity between the SAD 36 directors was when Fayette separated from the district.

Demaray said SAD 36 has a good school district, good teachers and accredited schools.

“It doesn’t make sense to merge,” he said.

Asked about cost, SAD 36 Vice Chairman Fred Nadeau, another planning committee member, said in his opinion it would probably cost more the first few years but over time there would be cost savings.

If people feel it’s a good deal for the three towns to merge, vote for the plan, Nadeau advised. If they feel past history would get in the way, don’t vote for the plan, he said.

Boothby said the planning process was hampered badly by the legislation and didn’t allow the committee to give specific numbers.

He said he believes a combined district could educate 1,700 students for less than the $20 million currently spent. There would be savings, he said, and there would be enhanced opportunities for students.

“Change is always difficult,” he said. “I recommend to you that you vote in favor of consolidation and you give a lot of thought to who you vote to put on the school board.”