KINGFIELD -- School Administrative District 58 directors are embarking on an informational campaign to let voters know the issues and facts before they vote for or against school consolidation.

On Thursday night, chairman Mike Pond and superintendent Quenten Clark presented directors with versions of a publicity brochure that will go to voters.

The content addressed frequently-asked questions about the proposed consolidation. SAD 9 met on Tuesday to approve similar wording, which they will mail to their voters. SAD 58's board reviewed their own first draft and a more strongly-worded revision.

Clark suggested that if the towns vote against the consolidation plan, they could face a $125,000 penalty if they did not find an alternative plan by January 2009.

"SAD 58 has already lost $600,000 of state subsidy," he said, "The rural districts can't meet the department's standards for a financially efficient teacher-pupil ratio."

The larger cities like Bangor and Portland and the densely populated areas of southern Maine haven't had to make many changes to meet the state's standards, he said.

"If the thing is voted down, the Commissioner will be on us to do something," he said. "The penalty for living in Franklin County is a quarter of a million dollars, and our penalty money will be turned over to the schools that have consolidated."

Director Alan Morse suggested voters should be told about the real possibilities of school closings and students traveling long distances.

"If you choose to present certain facts and leave out certain facts, you are taking a position," he said. "There's no such thing as neutral."

Kingfield resident John Goldfrank offered his reaction to school closings in the rural communities.

"The communities will suffer if we lose our high school," he said.

At their last meeting, seven members of the board had voted not to support consolidation.

One board member voted in favor, and one abstained. Clark, Pond, and school board members will communicate with municipal officers in the five district towns to schedule public meetings.

"We've developed efficient ways to get information out to the voters over the years, and we'll make sure everyone who wants the information can get it from us," Clark said.

School closings and transportation costs are critical issues affecting voters.

If Stratton students are required to attend high school in Farmington and participate in after-school activities, including sports, directors wanted reassurance that those students would be included in the new transportation budget.