MOUNT DESERT — Selectmen agreed to send $2,675 to the Maine Coalition to Save Schools at their weekly meeting on Monday.

Officials previously authorized a $2,000 donation to the coalition, which formed last September to organize a petition drive aimed at the repeal of the state’s school district consolidation legislation. The legislation, designed to reduce the number of school administrative units in Maine from 290 to about 80, has not been well received by many small school districts across the state that highly value local control. Although Mount Desert and other island towns have worked out a tentative consolidation plan, that plan has yet to be accepted by Education Commissioner Susan Gendron.

“Until that plan is accepted, we don’t know what is going to happen,” said selectman Patrick Smallidge.

Selectmen received the request from coalition chairman Lawrence “Skip” Greenlaw several weeks prior to the decision to provide additional funding, but wanted a detailed accounting of how the coalition’s money had been spent thus far before making a second donation. To that end, they tasked town manager Mike MacDonald to contact Mr. Greenlaw for more information.

Throughout their support of the petition process, selectmen have been very clear that they do not agree with payment for the collection of petition signatures. In light of these concerns, selectman Rick Mooers suggested that they earmark their most recent donation for a specific purpose. The selectmen settled on a $2,675 donation because they wanted the funds to be used to pay a legal bill in that amount.

“The town of Mount Desert and their school board has done more than anyone on this. I think asking them for a budget is a very reasonable request,” said chairman Jeff Smith.

Many towns and individuals throughout the state have contributed money, time and resources to the petition drive. Thanks to their efforts, the petition drive is nearing its goal. Mr. Greenlaw reported that 50,771 signatures had been collected statewide at the close of last month. Maine law requires 55,087 signatures to validate a citizen-initiated petition and allow the secretary of state to send the petition to the Legislature for its consideration.

The coalition plans to file the petition around Aug. 15, provided that the signature goal has been met said Mr. Greenlaw. Should the Legislature decline to take action as requested by the petition, the issue would go to a statewide referendum vote. If the Legislature fails to enact the measure contained in the petition after it convenes next December, proposed repeal of the consolidation law would go to voters in November 2009.

According to Mr. Greenlaw, the coalition plans to send informational letters to all legislative candidates in the November’s election. In addition, the coalition plans to poll candidates regarding their support for repealing consolidation and to publish those results.

Members of the coalition are now working to raise the $15,000 necessary to complete the drive said Mr. Greenlaw. Contributions to the Maine Coalition to Save Schools can be mailed to Judy Sproule, Treasurer, 18 Rothry Lane, Trenton 04605. For more information, call 667-6694.