BELGRADE -- Belgrade selectpersons this week threw their support behind School Administrative District 47's plan to consolidate with China.

The 5-0 vote amounts to a recommendation to townspeople, who will weigh in on the issue when they go to the polls Nov. 4.

Voters in Oakland, Sidney, Rome -- the other communities in SAD 47 -- and China also will voice their opinions on the proposal that day.

The SAD 47 decision will be decided as a district, meaning that the measure could gain approval despite opposition from individual towns in the school district.

"I strongly support it," Belgrade Selectman Richard W. Damren Jr. said. "I think it is the right move. I think it is what today's society is going to. I think we need to do it to survive."

Damren is an employee of SAD 47.

The Belgrade vote came after a presentation by SAD 47 Superintendent James C. Morse Sr., the sixth of Morse's 13 scheduled community discussions.

Belgrade selectmen are not the first SAD 47 town board to support the consolidation plan.

Rome selectmen voted unanimously in favor of the proposal last month.

Rome Selectman Kelly Archer said the board came to the meeting uncertain about its position on the initiative, especially after Waterville, Winslow and Vassalboro -- all potential partners originally -- declined to join.

"We came into it thinking, now that we are down to one town that we would be joining, what is the benefit of going through with this?" Archer said.

Morse has made clear his support for the plan.

He stresses that state law requires school consolidation as part of an effort to reduce Maine school units from 250 to no more than 80.

Morse also notes that partnering with China would help minimize the impact of expected reductions in state education funding as well as the negative financial impact of a declining school enrollment.

State funding for education is based, in part, on student count. More students mean more state dollars.

Morse said SAD 47, which has an enrollment of 2,563, would gain 801 students by consolidating with China.

The Oakland Town Council listened to Morse's presentation last week but chose to hold off on a vote until their Sept. 22 meeting, Town Manager Steven A. Dyer said.

Colin Hickey -- 861-9205

chickey@centralmaine.com