MEXICO – Some want to add onto the Region 9 vocational school while others are eyeing the possibilities of moving into a former administration building in Rumford.
Two things are for sure, though: All want the best possible vocational education for area youngsters; and a decision on what kind of renovations or other changes should be made to the Region 9 School of Applied Technology must be determined soon.
The Region 9 Facilities Committee met with Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, Rumford Town Manager Steve Eldridge, SAD 43 Superintendent Jim Hodgkin and architect Jim Reuter on Tuesday afternoon to look at the possibilities.
“We need to keep the dialogue going, whether Region 9 stays here or moves,” said Region 9 Chairman Norman Clanton.
The Region 9 board has been making plans for several months with Reuter, of the Bethel architectural firm of Smith Reuter Lull, for a substantial expansion and renovation of the River Road school. The architectural plans also include space for at least two more vocational offerings. But then a possibility of moving into the former administration building owned by NewPage Corp. came along.
The board and architect have looked, and they have many questions, as does Eldridge, who has been trying to persuade the University of Maine System to move into the building. He is also working with the Maine College of Art to establish an outreach program somewhere in Rumford, such as in the adjacent River Valley Technology Center.
Bryant is also looking at the possibilities of having all educational and art-related offerings concentrated in one area.
“There are a lot of possibilities to be excited about. To have everything in one area, a learning center for a lifetime. I’m willing to do a lot of work to make that happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, Region 9 board members know they must do something soon. The existing facility is in need of major repairs, and more vocational programs need to be offered to bring Region 9 on par with other vocational districts in the state.
The state has offered about $1.5 million for renovations to the current school. Of that amount, about 40 percent would be an outright grant and 60 percent would be a loan. But that offer, said Hodgkin, would likely expire within six months.
He also emphasized that decisions should be made on programming changes, then the location if at all financially feasible.
“We need to make educational decisions first, then the facility. To see if either option fits that,” said Hodgkin.
He also said that whatever decision is made, the board should go to the voters only once for approval or to ask for additional money.
“This is the best chance to sell a project. People feel good about Region 9 and are most likely to give support. Look at other vocational programs. We are getting further and further behind,” he said.
Driscoll sees both sides of the possibilities.
“I see Bruce’s perspective of envisioning a partnership with industry and business. It could be a great relationship (in the administration building), but we have invested a lot of money in plans for this building. It’s hard to abandon that,” he said.
The next step involves a Region 9 Facilities Committee meeting with the vocational school’s three sending superintendents and the school’s student services director, expected to be called next week. Meanwhile, the architect will work up a report on the administration building.
Once that is completed, the board will meet with the architect. That meeting is expected in early December.
Region 9 provides vocational education to about 200 students from SADs 44, 43 and 21, as well as to those from the unaffiliated towns of Upton, Gilead and Hanover.
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