EUSTIS — Residents voted 321-43 Tuesday to file a petition to withdraw from SAD 58.

The petition will be filed with the SAD 58 Board of Directors and with the state commissioner of education to begin the process of leaving the five-town school district.

Voters also authorized the withdrawal committee, which will be created, to spend up to $40,000 from town’s undesignated fund. They also authorized the Board of Selectmen to issue notes in the name of the town or otherwise pledge the credit of the town in an amount not to exceed $40,000 for this purpose. The money would be used to pay a consultant.

Members of the Save Our School panel have been the principal organizers of the withdrawal effort to preserve the Stratton Elementary School. The school has been proposed for elimination to save money. Students would be bussed to another school in the district.

Other district towns are Avon, Kingfield, Phillips and Strong.

dperry@sunjournal.com