DIXFIELD — RSU 10 Superintendent Tom Ward said Wednesday that he is disappointed a majority of townspeople voted to begin withdrawing from the district, but he will follow the process dictated by state law.

“We will work with them to get the facts so residents can make a decision,” he said.

Longtime resident Jon Holmes spearheaded the petition process to get the question on Tuesday’s ballot. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday on what the next step will be.

Tuesday’s vote was 695-543 to begin withdrawal and authorizing selectmen to issue notes or otherwise pledge credit for up to $50,000 to pay for legal and other expertise.

A second question asked residents to approve raising $50,000 through taxation, if the withdrawal question was approved. That question, however, went down by a vote of 332-402.

If the town follows the procedure of other towns considering withdrawal from their respective school districts, RSU 10 board Chairman Jerry Wiley would call a meeting of the withdrawal committee, which would elect a chairman and research plans and costs for educating Dixfield students.

A public hearing would be called, and another vote taken after all information is gathered and negotiations with RSU 10 completed. That could take several months.

The next RSU 10 board meeting is Nov. 13.

Many of those who chose to look into the withdrawal process said they believe the cost of educating Dixfield students could be lower than through RSU 10. Some Dixfield residents were also concerned that Dirigo and Mountain Valley high schools may merge.

Ward said that a combined district high school was not likely, if at all, for at least a dozen years. He said the school board is looking into ways to reduce costs by reorganizing but all three high schools in Dixfield, Rumford and Buckfield will remain. He said several million dollars have been saved by  merging SADs 43, 21 and 39 into RSU 10.