AUGUSTA -- A Midcoast-area initiative to merge two high schools into one regional school offering career development and college classes will have another chance to become the state's pilot project for a new high school model.

State Board of Education members Wednesday agreed to postpone a decision on naming a pilot project for a new type of high school that incorporates technical education and university-level classes on the same campus.

Board members were poised to consider a recommendation from Education Commissioner Susan Gendron that they choose a Sanford High School proposal as the pilot project.

The selection would have put the Sanford school on the fast track to receive construction funds for a high school campus that also offers technical and higher-education programs.

Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster told Board members, however, they should wait until a 30-day appeal period passes before choosing a pilot project. The 30-day period expires Tuesday.