HOWLAND – The state’s top two education officials Thursday will discuss the potential construction of a new high school in SAD 31 as well as related economic and enrollment figures.

Jean Gulliver, chairwoman of the state board of education, and Department of Education Commissioner Sue Gendron will discuss construction issues beginning at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in the gymnasium of Penobscot Valley High School. The meeting is open to the public.

In recent months, both Gendron and Gulliver have offered guidance to the district’s board of directors and Superintendent William Ziemer concerning what direction a new high school project should focus on. Thursday’s meeting will be an opportunity for the officials to clarify the role of the Department of Education in the process and answer questions, Ziemer said.

“It’s not that they’re coming to lay down the law and intimidate people,” Ziemer said Friday. “They’re coming to provide assistance.”

In April 2002, SAD 31 received site approval from the state board to build a new high school to replace Penobscot Valley High School in Howland. After concept approval was denied and the state withheld the $9.6 million earmarked for the project in 2003, the state board directed the district to study the feasibility of sending its 234 high school students to Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln.

In a December 2003 letter to Ziemer, Gendron cited the predicted drop in the district’s enrollment as a reason a regional solution with other districts was the only option the Department of Education would support. Gendron also said she wouldn’t support the repair and renovation of PVHS.

In a letter to Ziemer last week, Gulliver said that because of the district’s current budget and the regional economy, SAD 31 should be partnering with a neighboring district for a secondary education solution, but implied that Howland wouldn’t be a feasible location to house a new high school. Gulliver also named SAD 67 (Lincoln area) as a potential partner.

Ziemer said he anticipated the two women also would encourage the district to make more dramatic progress on forming a concept for a secondary education facility. In Gulliver’s recent letter, she said the state board would review the status of projects on the department’s to-do list in light of new applications expected in June for major capital projects. She also said no project could remain on the list indefinitely without progress toward a workable solution.

As a result of that information, Ziemer said he expected the district will need to develop a working concept by June that includes a partnering school district as well as the essence of the course work and co-curricular options that a new facility would provide.

“Without a concept in place, our funding could be in jeopardy because there are other schools in need that are lining up at the plate,” Ziemer said.

In light of the recent layoffs from Lincoln Pulp and Paper Inc., anyone attending the meeting is asked to bring one food item or a financial donation, which will be collected at the door.