FARMINGTON -- School Administrative Districts 9 and 58 have forwarded a completed merger plan to the state Department of Education.

But the two districts' decisions to form the Western Mountains School District were not unanimous or without misgivings. The plan still must be approved by voters.

The SAD 9 board voted 11-4 Tuesday to submit its blueprint for a new regional school unit to the state, with Robert Flick and Francis Orcutt of Farmington, William Reid of New Sharon, and Robert Pullo of Wilton opposed.

SAD 58 directors voted 6-3 Thursday to approve the plan, with Alan Morse of Phillips, Gerald "Mike" Pond of Strong, and Tom McDonald of Eustis opposed.

Flick, a consistent critic of the consolidation plan, raised doubts about any cost savings and claimed there is substantial opposition to the merger in both districts.

Referring to a recent DOE newsletter on the state consolidation process, Reid said the board should take advantage of what he said is an option to merely send a letter to the department.

"I'm attached to the idea of delaying and delaying," Reid said. "I'm opposed to submission and opposed to consolidation."

Others felt differently.

"To not submit would be a slap in the face to all those who have worked hard on this," Jo Josephson of Temple said.

Board Chairman Raymond Glass of Farmington said the plan, developed by the regional planning committee over the past several months, needs to go forward and be decided by the voters in both districts.

"There are pros and cons. Let the community decide," Glass said. "It doesn't matter what we all think."

"I think you need to lay it out there and get it over with," Superintendent Michael Cormier said.

The proposed district also includes Coplin and Highland plantations.