More than 40 of the 290 school districts that submitted their plans to consolidate with other school districts have been told to go back to the drawing boards.

Education Commissioner Susan Gendron announced this morning that letters went out to all of the school districts informing officials whether their plans to merge with other school districts were satisfactory. Those that received failing grades now have three or four weeks to come up with a new plan.

She also announced that the consolidations will result in 75 new school districts, about five fewer than originally estimated. Most school districts in Maine are required to consolidate under a law passed in June aimed at cutting educational administrative costs.

More information on the new districts and whether they received approval is available at
www.maine.gov/education/supportingschools/index.html.