MEXICO – People will have a chance Wednesday night to learn about plans for a $4.9 million renovation and 17,300-square-foot expansion to the Region 9 School of Applied Technology.

The session at Mountain Valley Middle School begins at 6:30 p.m.

Vocational school Director David Driscoll said about $640,000 of the cost would come from a state Department of Education grant, just over $1 million would be lent from the state at no interest, and the rest – nearly $3.2 million – would be financed over 20 to 25 years.

Among the renovations will be installation of a roof, elevator and air exchange system, restructuring of secondary and adult education classrooms, and construction of walls between the metal trades and building trades programs.

The plan also calls for buying about six acres adjacent to the school.

The addition will allow new programs in automotive technology and early childhood education, and eliminate the two modular classrooms used for the truck driving and diversified occupations programs.

During the public informational session, board Chairman Norman Clanton and member Craig Zurhorst will present a Power Point program on the plans. Architect Jim Reuter, student services coordinator Cheryl Ellis and Driscoll will be available to answer questions.

Driscoll said he has worked out the estimated costs for borrowing the funding for each member town. That information will also be presented Wednesday night.

The offer of the state’s contribution expires on Feb. 28, 2007.

A vote on the project has been tentatively set for early January. At least one public hearing will be held sometime in December.

Driscoll said if the project is rejected, then the region will be required to borrow thousands of dollars to make repairs to meet building codes and the school would have to wait several years for a chance to get on a state-funded new construction list.

If the question passes, the project would begin in the spring of 2007 and be completed by fall 2008.

Chairmen of the region’s boards of selectmen and school boards have been invited to the session, along with the public.