MEXICO – The local vocational school now has a new director.

Region 9 School of Applied Technology board Chairman Norman Clanton said David F. Driscoll of Westbrook was appointed as the new head of the school Tuesday night.

Driscoll has seven years’ experience as a vocational school director at St. Croix Regional Vocational School in Calais.

He is also certified as a school superintendent, something Clanton said is important for the person who filled the local position. State Department of Education requirements for regional vocational schools are changing and becoming more stringent.

The screening committee of Region 9 interviewed two of the six applicants who applied for the position.

Salary and benefits for Driscoll will be worked out during the next couple of days.

Clanton said Driscoll retired from the St. Croix position in 2000, then decided to come out of retirement.

The previous director, Deborah Guimont, left in July after serving Region 9 for five years. She left for a similar position in southern Maine.

Retired educational administrator Harvey Hayden of Farmington has filled in on a part-time, interim basis for the past few months. Clanton said Hayden is expected to help out during the transition.

Clanton said he expects Driscoll to begin work by the end of the month. The official contract will be signed by the board at its Dec. 21 regular meeting.