DEXTER – If SAD 46 residents vote later this year to construct a new pre-kindergarten through grade eight school, then the vacated schools will be offered to the towns where they are located.

Directors recently voted to offer the towns of Ripley, Garland and Exeter the small elementary schools in their communities if the new school is approved. In addition, Dexter would be offered the primary and middle schools, as well as the superintendent’s office, SAD 46 Superintendent Kevin Jordan said Tuesday.

Each of the communities would vote on whether to accept the properties. If residents refuse the offers, SAD 46 directors would likely sell the properties.

Directors, assisted by community members, have proposed the construction of a combination pre-kindergarten through grade-eight school on the Fern Road. The building also would house the superintendent and his staff.

The concept involves two large, two-story wings designed as a “neighborhood” school. The first floor of one wing would house pre-kindergarten and kindergarten pupils. First-, second-, and third-grade pupils would attend classes on the first floor of the other wing. The second floor would house the remaining classes.

School officials had planned to meet with state education officials last month to discuss the project but the meeting was postponed. That move delayed the planned Jan. 4 public hearing and straw vote on the project.

Scott Brown, the Department of Education’s director of school facilities projects, said his office believes a little more time should be spent on the project review. “We move ahead when we’re ready to move ahead,” he said Tuesday.

Brown said his office wanted to tighten up the programming and revisit the special education component to make sure it was the right proposal. Discussions on the project are expected to continue between the state school construction committee and Jordan today in Augusta.

“We’re ready to go on our end,” Jordan said.