LIVERMORE FALLS – Voters in Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls on Tuesday rejected a plan to consolidate Jay and SAD 36 school systems by a collective vote of 359-501.

The closest vote came in Jay, 201-228 against consolidation.

In Livermore Falls, the vote was 91-125; in Livermore 67-148.

Jay faces an estimated state penalty of about $201,000, and SAD 36’s penalty is estimated to be about $163,000 in 2009-10 for not merging, as mandated by the state.

School officials in both systems will decide the next step.