ORANGE — Even though a Mahar K-12 school regionalization proposal did not win the approval of all partnering towns this year, some form of the initiative may re-emerge later.
The Regionalization Planning Committee weighed different options, discussed how to work around obstacles, and looked at alternatives to a new regional school district that was approved in Orange and New Salem, but defeated in Wendell or Petersham last fall.
The proposed K-12 hybrid district would have regionalized the Orange and Petersham elementary districts with the Mahar middle and high schools. Wendell and New Salem students would have continued to attend their own elementary district, but join Orange and Petersham students in Mahar after Grade 6.
All four towns must approve any amendment to the Mahar regional agreement.