MEXICO – The Region 9 School of Applied Technology board was assured this week of funding for its $4.9 million expansion and renovation project. It also set two public hearings on its proposed 2007-2008 operating budgets.

Vocational school director David Driscoll said the state will grant the school just under $700,000 and lend it about $1 million at no interest. The remaining funds will likely be borrowed at market rate through the Maine Bond Bank. Plans are to start construction in the summer, with a completion date scheduled for autumn 2008.

The state loan will be repaid over 10 years. The conventional loan will be repaid over 20 years.

Residents of the 16-town vocational district approved the expansion and addition during a referendum vote in January.

People will have a chance to ask questions or make comments on the proposed $1.3 million secondary budget and $257,000 adult and community education budget at 5:30 p.m. April 3 at the River Road school. Residents of the Bethel area will have that same chance at 7 p.m. April 3 at Telstar Regional High School.

Voting will be held at a meeting in May.

Also on Tuesday, the board:

• approved purchase of a handicapped-accessible van at a cost of $43,500 under a three-year lease-purchase agreement; and

• thanked Marlene Gile, a board member who has represented SAD 43 on the Region 9 board, for her 10 years of service. She will be replaced by SAD 43 board member Frank DiConzo.