STAFF REPORT

Tuesday night brought the possibility that three regional school units in central Maine could be approved by voters.

SAD 47 and China hoped to form an RSU with more than 3,000 students. Early results suggested that hope could come to fruition. Oakland voters in unofficial results supported the plan 1,723 to 1,531.

Results from the other four communities with a say were not available late Tuesday.

In SAD 47 the decision comes down to the popular vote in the four district towns. It's possible therefore that the plan could be approved despite being rejected in three communities.

On the other hand, approval by SAD 47 voters does not guarantee the RSU will become a reality. The RSU plan goes nowhere if a majority of China residents mark "no" on their ballots.

It was a much different story with consolidation plan between Farmington-based SAD 9 and SAD 58, which has its central office in Kingfield.

Voters in Farmington, by far the largest community in the two school districts, rejected the proposal 2,207 to 1,793. Farmington was the only town that reported results Tuesday.

If SAD 9 and SAD 58 voters don't approve consolidation, the two school districts have the option of submitting a revised plan to the Maine Department of Education. Any such plan submitted would have to go before voters by Jan. 31.

SAD 48, which is based in Newport, and SAD 38, which consists of Dixmont and Etna, also want to become partners. But results from those towns were unavailable Tuesday night.