MEXICO – The Region 9 board closed on the purchase of just under two acres of land adjacent to the River Road school Wednesday that will ensure an expansion of the vocational facility.

Board Chairman Norman Clanton said Wednesday afternoon that the school purchased the land from Alan Archibald for $93,000. The cost is figured into the $4.9 million renovation and expansion project.

The board also approved borrowing $225,000 in a cash flow, bond anticipation note from Bangor Savings Bank at a rate of 3.85 percent. The rate is good until June 29.

Clanton said bonds or other means of financing the multimillion -dollar project are expected to be in place well before the short-term note is due.

The money is needed now to allow architectural designs of the 17,000-square-foot expansion and renovation. The added space will bring all vocational programs under one roof and provide space for new vocational programs in automotive technology and early childhood development.

Some of the money also may be used as a first payment on a new school bus, although that isn’t certain, said Clanton.

The land purchase will allow the building expansion, and provide space for a reconfiguration of parking and access.

Clanton said the Region 9 Personnel Committee will likely begin advertising for a new director. Details have not been worked out. The need for a new director is the result of the resignation at the end of the school year of Director David Driscoll.