POLAND — Following a quick review of the district’s cost-sharing formula Monday night, the Regional School Unit 16 committee voted against any further in-depth review of the formula for another year.

By a weighted vote of 559-446, the committee supported Steve Holbrook’s motion that the district postpone an examination of the relative fairness of the formula that determines what part of the overall school budget each town has to pay.

Poland selectmen had requested a review of the formula, which allocates costs according to an agreement based 10 percent on each town’s student population and 90 percent on each town’s property valuation.

By relying on property valuation, Poland pays 67 percent of the school budget that the state requires as a local match. Selectmen are generally comfortable that it is fair, given that Poland has a higher valuation because of its lakefront properties and businesses.

However, selectmen have concerns when the 90/10 funding formula is applied to that part of the school budget that the towns raise in addition to what the state requires.

According to Selectman Steve Robinson, Poland may be paying about $35,000 more than its fair share.

While that amount is rather insignificant, given that the three towns are paying about $10 million through property taxes, that could change if the proposed addition to Whittier Middle School is built.

Cost estimates for the addition are extremely preliminary, but it appears it could cost in the range of $6 million and, due to the manner in which payment for the bond would be allocated, Poland could be paying well more than its fair share.

The construction plan could be presented to voters for approval as soon as next June.

The School Committee, according to agreements made when RSU 16 was established, is scheduled to consider a review of the cost-sharing formula next year.

Although the School Committee declined to initiate a review this year, townspeople could request a review through the citizen petition process.

In a separate matter, Robinson also addressed the issue of whether RSU 16 owns a section of the town garage. The district uses one bay for its buses.

Robinson objected to RSU 16 employing a lawyer to send the Board of Selectmen a letter requesting information on deed and other documents that might determine ownership.

School Committee Chairwoman Mary Martin noted that at the last selectmen meeting, it was suggested that it be done board to board.

“The RSU 16 board has expressed a willingness to do this in the past and continues to see it as the best alternative,” Martin said, “and we look forward to working with selectmen on this.”