SAD 53/59 consolidation fails

Morning Sentinel (update), June 11, 2008

(excerpt) A negative vote in Madison spelled failure Tuesday for consolidation between School Administrative Districts 53 of Pittsfield and 59 of Madison.

While the three SAD 53 towns gave solid approval to the plan, the SAD 59 vote means that school officials must renew their efforts. School districts with fewer than 1,200 students must consolidate by January, or the state will reduce their funding.

Though the other three SAD 59 towns passed the proposal, it failed in Madison, 269-334. It passed in Athens 40-25, in Brighton Plantation 3-1 and in Starks 37-21. Combined, SAD 59 towns rejected the measure by 32 votes.