FARMINGTON -- School Administrative District 9 directors were given reading assignments at their meeting Tuesday:

Bone up on all those plans for reorganizing Maine's school districts, including the most visible of all, Gov. John Baldacci's proposal to consolidate the existing 252 systems into 26 mega-districts.

Superintendent Michael Cormier presented directors with a three-ring binder filled with information about Baldacci's controversial recommendation, as well as up to six other plans raised by legislators to make public education in Maine more efficient.

Cormier explained the contents piece by piece, but made no recommendation.

Baldacci claims his plan would save the state an estimated $250 million over three years.

While the board took no position on this or any other proposal in the legislative hopper in Augusta, there was skepticism.

"I think this is a complete disregard to Maine citizens," director Bob Flick of Farmington said. "They're just trying to shove this down our throats."

Rep. Janet T. Mills, D-Farmington, said she and other legislators have the same concerns that others have over Baldacci's plan.

A series of public hearings starting Feb. 5 will give people a chance to get more information, she said.

"There's a lot of hoopla" over the issue, Mills said. "I want you to be careful on your thinking on this."

Under Baldacci's proposal, SAD 9 would combine with other districts and systems to form Region 19, encompassing all of Franklin County plus Livermore in Androscoggin County.

SAD 9 enrolls students from nine communities, including Vienna.