MEXICO – The Region 9 board voted unanimously last week to offer Archie’s Inc. $65,000 for three acres next to the vocational school.

Region 9 Director David Driscoll said Monday that the property consists of about 2.5 acres, and about a half-acre would be a 60-foot right of way onto Route 2 at the rear of Morrison Motors that would be used for school bus and truck driving class egress.

If accepted by Alan Archibald and his real estate agent, Mike Kersey, the sale would be contingent upon public approval of a $4.9 million renovation and expansion project at the River Road school. That vote has been set for Jan. 9. The cost of the land has been figured into the total project price, Driscoll said.

The three acres is part of a 7.7 acre parcel owned by Archie’s Inc.

With the additional land and the approval of the residents of the vocational district, the project would include a 17,000-square-foot addition, new parking lots, two new vocational programs in automotive technology and early childhood, extensive repairs, additional space for the some of the existing vocational programs and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Driscoll said he should know Wednesday whether the offer has been accepted.

Board members attending the special meeting and voting to make the offer were Marlene Gile, Keith Farrington, Jeff Sterling, Craig Zurhorst and Norman Clanton.

If the offer is turned down, Driscoll said the board would continue negotiations.

Local real estate agent Roger Whitehouse is representing Region 9 at no cost, Driscoll said.