A second round of consolidation?

Even those members of the Maine House who might favor overturning the state's school district consolidation mandate aren't necessarily consolidation opponents.

That much was clear Wednesday afternoon during House debate on a law that would give the more than 100 school districts that turned down mergers a one-year reprieve from penalties -- state subsidy reductions -- assessed by the state. That bill earned House approval by a veto-proof 111-32 margin.

House members, however, narrowly turned down a measure that would have repealed the consolidation mandate altogether. That vote was 72-70.

The consensus? Maine's consolidation law needs to change. The area of disagreement? How to do that.

Rep. Howard McFadden, R-Dennysville, said the one-year penalty delay was Maine's best bet for fixing the consolidation "mess."

Rep. Seth Berry, a Bowdoinham Democrat, said certain towns simply need more time, an "extension on the assignment."

Others urged their colleagues to continue amending the law currently on the books.

"We were rushed into consolidation," said Rep. Richard Wagner, D-Lewiston. "Let's not rush out."

But a few lawmakers suggested repealing the law on the books and starting again from scratch.

"There's a difference between a good idea and implementing a good idea," said Rep. David Van Wie, D-New Gloucester. "I'd like a do-over."

"One size, we know, does not fit all," said Rep. Gary Knight, R-Livermore Falls. "I am a proponent of consolidation when the right size is there."

Rep. Robert Eaton, D-Sullivan, called for a repeal of the consolidation law and for the start of a "new, more respectful effort."

"I keep coming back to, let's get it done right," Van Wie said. "And that strategy is repeal and repair."