AUGUSTA -- A Midcoast-area initiative to merge two high schools into one regional school offering career development and college classes will have another chance at becoming 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.

But Assistant Attorney General Sarah Forster told board members they should wait until a 30-day appeal period passes before choosing a project.

The 30-day period expires Tuesday.

"It would seem to me, at this point, it is untimely," Forster said.

The delay allows Rockland- and Thomaston-area school officials to appeal the Department of Education's decision to endorse the Sanford project, which earned a higher score in a department review.

The Department of Education initially overlooked the appeal provision in state law, Forster said.

State officials were considering the Sanford and Midcoast project proposals under a bill legislators unanimously approved in April 2008. The legislation sets aside school construction funds specifically for regional high school projects that include career development and college-level programs on the same campus.

The bill authorizes state officials to choose a pilot regional high school project and award it earlier construction funding.

Sen. Christopher Rector, R-Thomaston, sponsored the regional high schools bill largely to support the work underway in his Midcoast district to merge Rockland District High School and Georges Valley High School in Thomaston.

The project, known as Many Flags/One Campus, would combine the high school with offerings from nearby university satellite centers. A marine systems center on campus would offer boat building, design and engineering courses.

"If (education) doesn't change, we're going to be in hard shape in Maine," Rector said.

Rector said Many Flags planning has been underway for approximately five years. The project planners have secured support for the project from University of Maine System and Maine Community College System officials.

"The fact there's an appeal process is useful for us," Rector said.

Sen. Jonathan Courtney, R-Springvale, said the Sanford proposal grew out of a need in southern Maine for additional vocational education opportunities. When planners learned of the bill setting aside funds for regional projects, he said, they decided to apply to have their project named the pilot.

"It isn't about us versus them," said Courtney, the Assistant Senate Minority Leader. "It's my hope that when all is said and done, both communities have this."

To be sure, school construction funds are in short supply. Department of Education officials in October delayed floating bonds for 12 pending projects, saying they would prefer to direct money toward local school aid rather than construction financing.

Sanford-area officials stepped in line for construction funding, however, partially in hopes of securing money from a potential economic stimulus package President-elect Barack Obama is proposing, said Sen. Richard Nass, R-Acton.

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com