Plourde’s post continued, “Many great ideas have been suggested most recently and we will remain transparent with the future of these banners. If you have an idea to share, please call the high school directly.”

Commenting on the post was turned off.

Many people and alumni had commented on Plourde’s Jan. 25 post, which indicated the auction would run from Feb. 5-10 with bidding open two days each for fall, winter and spring sports. If the high bidder could not prove a direct connection to that banner, for example a team member, coach or relative, the bid would not be accepted and the banner would go to the second highest bidder, or those following until a direct relationship was verified, he noted.

Several commenters questioned why the banners weren’t being donated to historical societies. Most felt they should be displayed locally, such as the Area Youth Sports building, the former Livermore Falls High School.

Fundraising efforts such as establishing a Go Fund Me or OTIS Federal Credit Union account were suggested.

By Tuesday there were more than enough people volunteering to donate $100 or $200 to cover the $2,300.

Bradie Castonguay, manager for Spruce Mountain Ski Area, posted Tuesday on the You Know You’re From Livermore Falls/Livermore/Jay When… Facebook page, “I’m the mountain manager for Spruce Mountain ski slope. This morning I lobbied the school to donate the ski banners to the ski slope we all practiced on so we could have them properly framed and hung for everyone to enjoy. I was told no.

“Additionally, where we are a ski slope we cannot bid on the banners themselves,” wrote. “I’m heartbroken that I couldn’t get these for the history of our little hill. If you are a ski team member and want to help us get these for the hill please reach out! I’m not giving up yet.”

In an email to the Sun Journal on Wednesday Michele Coates, a director for the ski slope, confirmed Castonguay spoke with Plourde on Tuesday.

“At that point he told her that they were going forward with the auction and that the Mountain could not bid on them collectively, it had to be individual skiers,” Coates wrote. “We then started a campaign to try to get past skiers organized to auction for the years that they skied and donate their banner to the mountain. We were getting responses from all over the United States.”

Coates shared an email she sent Tuesday to RSU 73 Superintendent Scott Albert and the directors, which reads in part:

“I am writing with a special request that the Spruce Mountain banners be donated to the mountain where we would like to proudly display them for all of the Spruce Kids (old and young). The mountain is very proud of what the Spruce kids accomplished both in middle school (on the Junior Ski Team) and the Jay and Livermore Falls Ski Teams.

“The mountain is trying to pull together another ski team and I think this would be a big boost to show these kids what “Spruce Kids” have accomplished in the past. We are currently working with Spruce Kids (of all ages) who are willing to bid on these next week and then donate back to the mountain. This shows the amount of support the community has and their disappointment that RSU73 is being inflexible. Please reconsider. I am hoping the district will just do the right thing.”

A call to Superintendent Scott Albert on Wednesday was not returned.

RSU 73 board Chairman Robert Staples of Jay had no comment when contacted.

A Facebook post Jan. 16 announcing the banner auction taking place Jan. 22-27 was removed Jan. 17. Responding to an email sent Jan. 17 asking about the auction, Albert wrote, “It has been put on hold for the time being.”