SOUTHWEST HARBOR — More than 40 people attended a forum Tuesday at the Pemetic Elementary School to discuss options for the possible consolidation of the school and the K-8 school in neighboring Tremont.

The consolidation issue is on the ballot in both towns as a nonbinding referendum by which school officials will decide on which steps to take, if any. Another forum on the issue was scheduled to take place Wednesday night in Tremont.

School superintendent Rob Liebow opened the forum Tuesday by assuring attendees that the referendum is only a straw poll.

“This isn’t something that has an automatic right answer,” he said.

During earlier discussions of the issue, the consensus was that educational benefits should outweigh any potential cost savings from combining the schools. He said he believes that attitude will carry over into the vote.

“In my heart I know it won’t be about money,” Mr. Liebow said. “It will be for the best interest of the kids.”

Voters are being asked to choose one of three options for consolidation.

In the first option, older students in both towns would attend the Pemetic school in a middle school setting, and younger students would attend the Tremont school.

This scenario, Mr. Liebow said, is the one he prefers.

In the second option, students from both towns would attend the Pemetic school. The Tremont school would be closed or used for some other purpose.

The final option is for the schools to remain separate, with no changes being made.

Voters in Southwest Harbor will consider the referendum questions during the town election on Tuesday, May 8. Tremont voters will do the same on the following Monday, May 14.

For more education news, pick up a copy of the Mount Desert Islander.