MEXICO – Region 9 Director Deborah Guimont on Tuesday outlined a timeline and explained tentative plans for changes and additions for the vocational school.

She has recently submitted applications for state funding that, in the short term, would provide for installation of an elevator and make other modifications to the River Road school, and for a long-range plan that would provide for a building addition and new vocational programs.

Both applications are highly competitive, she said, with the addition in a particularly tight race for state funding under the Revolving Loan Fund.

“We have a decent shot at Phase I,” she said.

If successful, this would allow installation of an elevator, enclosure of a stairwell and construction of a wall between the metal and building trades programs. She said she should know whether the school is successful sometime in December.

Funding for a building addition, which would allow for the relocation of a couple of programs and provide space for at least two new programs, is more long term and much less likely to be successful, she said.

Under Phase III of the state’s Revolving Loan Fund, Region 9 can apply for up to $3.3 million for new construction.

If approved, an addition would allow relocation of the diversified occupations program from the basement of the current building to an upstairs space, and relocation of the truck driving program classrooms from a trailer at the rear of the building into the building.

It would also provide space for a couple of new vocational programs. Guimont said interest has been shown in offering a culinary arts program, automotive training, and truck repair. “We’d have to survey the area and businesses first,” she said.

The timeline for a possible expansion of program offerings is:

• The state must approve the idea of expanding program offerings at the school.

• An architect would design the addition and make a cost recommendation.

• The state must approve funding.

• Residents of Region 9’s member towns and school districts must approve the addition and new programming through a referendum vote.

“If all went beautifully, the vote would be made during next June’s primary election and construction would begin next summer,” Guimont said.

In other matters, Guimont said more than 800 adults used the educational program or space availability of the Region 9 school during the 2002-2003 school year. This includes more than 300 who have worked toward high school completion, more than 100 who have completed vocational courses, and more than 200 who have taken enrichment courses. Others have taken courses offered through Irving’s Forest Products or through Central Maine Community College at the school.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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