HALLOWELL -- A planned consolidation of four local school systems has passed state muster, becoming one of the first merger plans in the state to earn such approval.

But more work remains for planners before schools in Dresden, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth and Richmond begin operating as one district July 1, 2009.

Tonight, a transition team will have its first meeting since earning state approval to prepare for a June 10 referendum in which voters in the five towns will decide whether to join the five-town school district, dubbed Kennebec Intra-District Regional School Unit.

Information sessions also are planned in four of the five towns before the vote.

Transition team members tonight will also begin planning the November election of a new regional school committee, and consider ways in which the four school systems can combine functions.

Planners also are considering buying a building the city of Hallowell currently rents from the state to use as the district's central office. The meeting is 5:30 p.m. at Hall-Dale Elementary School.