CHINA -- School officials from the three towns of Union 52 have no plans to abandon what once had been a planned eight- community consolidated school system.

That proved to be the overriding message of Winslow, China and Vassalboro school board members Tuesday night at a special meeting at China Middle School.

Such resolution comes less than three weeks after Waterville Public Schools announced its intention to pull out of the planned regional school unit.

Union 52 joins School Administrative District 47 (Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney, Rome) in keeping open the option of forming a school unit that would boast nearly 5,500 students from seven towns.

Still, Union 52 officials made clear they have some issues with the proposed unit.

Topping the list is a substantial increase in salary and benefit costs for teachers for the unit -- more than $2 million with Waterville still in the mix, nearly $1.3 million without Waterville.

"You won't offset that $2.1 million in salaries and benefits (with cost savings from consolidation)," Union 52 Assistant Superintendent Gary Smith said. "That just won't happen."

But several members of the audience argued that such a sizable hike in salaries and benefits should not be a given.

They said the increase is based on an assumption that every teacher in the unit should immediately be boosted to the highest salary and benefits packages among the member towns.

Vassalboro School Board Chairman Lori Fowle agreed that doesn't necessarily have to be the case.

Nor, she added, would it be beneficial to all teachers.

"Like any negotiation," she said, "you can negotiate yourself right out of a job."

Smith, moreover, stressed that in the long term the new unit offered many opportunities to improve efficiencies and consolidate various services and administrative functions.

He also said the super-sized school system might provide opportunities to enrich programming, instruction and professional development.

Union 52 officials said in part they were waiting on state legislators to act on various amendments now under consideration that could change the dynamics of regional school unit operations.

One proposed amendment would permit a means to share costs more equitably among unit members.

Rep. R. David Cotta, R- China, said he heard the House would probably grapple with that amendment this week.

Colin Hickey -- 861- 9205

chickey@centralmaine.com