The idea of consolidating Wiscasset schools lives on.

The Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit’s board has given a key panel the all-clear to keep working. The go-ahead came in a board vote September 12, Superintendent Howard Tuttle said.

“I was hopeful that it would go that way and I was very pleased that it did,” said Richard DeVries, facilities committee chairman.

The committee will be talking first with school principals and staff about their concerns and needs, DeVries said. Later, the Wiscasset board of selectmen and all residents will be brought into the discussion at a public meeting, DeVries said.

The district board is not close to making any big decisions yet on what consolidation would look like, Tuttle said. “We're not at that point.”

Consolidation could take any of a number of forms, including a school closure or other shifts, DeVries has said.

Maine Yankee’s closure and other factors sent Wiscasset’s student count tumbling years ago.

Wiscasset High School has roughly half the students it once did, and Wiscasset Middle School has room for another 100 students, DeVries has said.

Wiscasset schools’ principals have said they are open to the process the committee is taking up.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com