OXFORD – The Cooperative Board of Oxford Hills Technical School has sent a petition to area state legislators asking that the board be preserved under any potential school consolidation plan.

“It’s worked so well over the past years,” said board Chairman Jerry Wiley of the technical school board.

Earlier this year, Gov. John Baldacci announced unprecedented plans to consolidate Maine’s school administrative districts from 290 to 26. The move would close at least 150 central offices, and make existing school boards and technical regional boards advisory. The move would combine SAD 17 in Oxford and SAD 39 in Buckfield, and eliminate the two school boards in favor of one with 15 representatives.

SAD 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman said this week that he is still awaiting word from the state about what will happen. Although most agree that the governor’s plan will probably not be implemented in its original form, no one is taking any chances.

The petition states that the board “believes that the terrific success of Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School is because of the specific attention the individual boards give to the academic and technical disciplines. The Technical School Board’s focus is on technical education that will best serve the needs of students, staff and community, and best prepare students for careers, college and citizenship.”

The petition further states that the school has “thrived” under the governing structure and established a record of excellence in technical education.

“It’s a statement for us of how we’d like to see it continue,” Wiley said.

He said the board sent the resolution to Sens. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield and David Hastings, R-Fryeburg, and Reps. H. Sawin Millett, R-Waterford, Teresea Hayes, D-Buckfield, Philip Cressey, R-Cornish, James Hamper, R-Oxford, Richard Sykes, R-Harrison and Lawrence Sirois, D-Turner.

Wiley said he does not believe the board impacts the school budget in any significant way other than to pay a $10 stipend to each member for attending each regular meeting, unforeseen legal fees and other operating costs.

“It’s not an expense thing with us,” he said.

Wiley said the technical school is the only one integrated as a comprehensive school in the state. “It’s not an us and him situation. There’s not a separation,” he said of the two schools that make up the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.