SALEM TOWNSHIP — Some residents in SAD 58 expressed doubts Thursday about the proposal to merge with Anson-based SAD 74, particularly concerning how much money would be saved. However, one school board member said other districts she’s polled say they’re glad they consolidated.

Mt. Abram High School’s library was filled with parents, teachers and community members for a hearing on the plan.

District Superintendent Quenten Clark began the hearing with an explanation of the Alternative Organizational Structure. An AOS team approved submitting a plan to the Maine Department of Education in October 2010. Clark and SAD 74 Superintendent Kenneth Coville submitted several drafts and received final approval of the plan Jan. 13 from interim Commissioner Angela Faherty.

 Clark explained that by joining the central office operations of the two districts and reducing personnel, the districts could save about $174,196 the first year. Both districts also hope to escape paying large annual penalties for failure to consolidate.

 “I talked to (Sen.) Tom Saviello (R-Wilton) on Sunday morning and said, ‘I heard a rumor the penalties are going away,'” Kingfield resident John Dill countered. “He told me not to count on it.”

 Dill then urged attendees to take some time to think about the benefits of merging.

Others questioned joining the districts without more financial guarantees and basic information.

 “Where would the central office be?” asked board member Mike Pond. “There are a lot of things like that that aren’t addressed in this plan.”

 Clark said many of the details would be worked out as the merger evolved, but he could not be part of the effort. His contract with the district will continue until August, and he is currently working as a half-time superintendent in East Millinocket.

 “I did not write this plan, but I corrected it many times,” Clark said about discrepancies in savings and projected costs. “You would have some savings, and you would be guaranteed you’d get out of the penalties.”

 Parent Lori Richards said she thought the district should have merged, when it had the opportunity, with SAD 9 in Farmington two years ago.

 “Now we’re trying to patch things together the best we can,” she told the board.

Strong resident Marc Edwards questioned whether the district could withdraw from the AOS if towns decided the merger was not working.

 “I’d just like to figure out how I’m going to vote,” he said. “I’m just trying to get clarification on what our board will be responsible for and what other AOS boards have done.”

 Sue Fotter, a director from Stratton, said she had polled several other districts and was heartened by the positive responses. Principals barely noticed the change, she said, but one superintendent reported a hectic 18 months after they merged.

 “Every one said they are glad they made the change,” she said.

 Savings in transportation, salaries, supplies, shared resources, staff, and bulk purchases were consistently on the list of representatives she polled, she said.

 Both districts would keep their own boards and budgets, but each would have five representatives on an AOS board to oversee the merged office’s duties and budget.

Three of the nine board members did not attend the hearing. Chairman Judy Dill said six of the nine members were in favor of the merger.

SAD 74 includes the towns of Anson, Embden, Solon and New Portland. SAD 58 includes Kingfield, Avon, Phillips, Strong, and Eustis.