Going it alone will be the topic of a Nov. 2 meeting of the School Administrative District 61 Regionalization Committee at the SAD 61 office at 900 Portland Road (Route 302) in Bridgton at 3 p.m.

An e-mail from Kevin Hancock, chairman of the committee evaluating district reorganization in SAD 61, confirmed the meeting will discuss a final recommendation for SAD 61 to file an alternate plan with the Maine Department of Education to remain independent while still achieving savings mandated by legislation passed in June.

Hancock also called the meeting “the most important we have had to date.”

While plan details have yet to be fully developed, committee members have noted the state suggestion to create Regional School Unit 44 from SADs 55, 61 and 72 is impractical while trying to save 50 percent in administrative costs and an additional 5 percent in special education, maintenance, transportation and buildings beginning in July, 2008.

The state rejected alternate plans filed by all three districts in August as none of the districts would have the minimum 2,500 students required by law, despite additional letters asking for exceptions based on population density and other factors outlined in the law.

A preliminary meeting agenda received from SAD 61 shows the meeting will review an Oct. 4 meeting committee members had with Jim Rier, director of finance for the Maine Department of Education and other department officials; discuss reports on recommendations from SAD 61 board members and reductions in state aid effective for the 2008/09 budget and the proposed actions by SADs 55, 61 and 72.