AUGUSTA -- A legislative committee turned down several measures Friday that would have amended or repealed Maine's school district consolidation law.

But lawmakers on the Education Committee agreed to consider the ideas in early 2010 if a statewide vote to repeal the law -- which could happen in November -- is unsuccessful.

Maine's consolidation mandate is an effort to merge the state's 290 school districts into 80 larger, regional districts.

More than 120 districts have rejected school system mergers, however, and so the state will end up with 220 districts on July 1.

A group opposed to the consolidation mandate last year collected the more than 55,000 signatures needed to force a repeal referendum.

With that repeal pending, legislators Friday were cautious to avoid recommending laws that could end up as competing or alternative measures that would appear on a repeal ballot.

If the repeal does not pass -- either by legislative action or at the polls in November -- Education Committee members said they would debate the amendments they set aside Friday when they return for their next session, in January 2010.

"If the repeal isn't successful, we still want to make changes," said Sen. Carol Weston, R-Montville.

The Legislature still needs to weigh in on the repeal measure. A "no" vote would ensure the measure is sent to voters in November.

The Legislature could also vote "no" and set a different date for the statewide vote.

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com