Towns across Maine approved at least 12 of 18 school district consolidation plans considered Tuesday in local referendum elections, the state Department of Education announced today.

Five merger plans were rejected by voters, including a proposal in southern Maine that was approved by Cumberland and North Yarmouth but rejected by Falmouth.

Another merger plan, which includes MSAD 37 in Washington County, was approved by voters in that district and in Deblois, but rejected by voters in Beddington. Jonesport and Beals will vote on the same plan on Nov. 18.

The Legislature passed a law in 2007 that requires most of Maine's 288 school districts to merge and bring the number of districts down to 80.

Districts with fewer than 2,500 students must consolidate unless they have special circumstances approved by state education officials.

Districts that fail to merge as required risk losing state education aid.