WINSLOW -- Residents will get a chance to vote on a plan to consolidate education resources and services with Waterville and Vassalboro, following a decision by the town council to put it to referendum.

The configuration will differ from the original consolidation proposal that Winslow's school board shot down in August in that it will not necessarily include China or the communities of Messalonskee School District (Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney and Rome).

Waterville was not a part of the original proposal.

"I hope there are potential savings down the road," Winslow Town Council Chairman Gerald St. Amand said. "I have my doubts, but I'd like to see this go before voters."

The consolidation plan will give Waterville four votes on a regional school board; Winslow, two; and Vassalboro, one.

The fact that the town council voted 4 to 2 in favor of putting the plan out to referendum is not necessarily an endorsement. Winslow, unlike many other communities, was not ready with its referendum in time for the Nov. 4 elections, but St. Amand sounded hopeful to have one as soon as possible.

"This is a mid-step -- simply putting it before the citizens and the public," St. Amand said.

A plan must be approved by the State Department of Education and implemented by July 2009 in order for the Winslow School System to avoid annual state fines of $210,000, town councilor Brad Grant said.

Consolidation is a major issue across the state, as educators and school board members seek to find the best plans to comply with state-imposed deadlines.

State Education Commissioner Susan Gendron in August issued a letter to Winslow School Committee following its rejection of the original plan, warning that this put the school system "out of compliance with the law."

The school board's chairman, Ron Whary, at the time called the commissioner's tone "bullying," a charge her spokesman denied.

On Monday, Councilor Roland Michaud opposed the latest consolidation proposal and voted against the majority, saying he didn't see its advantage.

"I'm very disappointed in this whole thing," he said. "They're telling us this is going to save money, and I can't for the life of me see how."

Councilor Steve Russell said the school systems might eventually see some savings from sharing transportation resources.

Joel Elliott -- 861-9252

jelliott@centralmaine.com