MEXICO – The local vocational school board approved secondary and adult and community education budgets Tuesday night showing increases of about 6.5 percent.

They’ll be sent to voters for action on May 15.

The Region 9 School of Applied Technology board approved just over $257,000 for adult education and $1,295,540 for the secondary vocational program.

If approved at the 6:30 p.m. meeting at the River Road school, SAD 21 towns will pay just under $360,000 for 42 students, SAD 43 towns will pay just under $597,000 for 67 students and SAD 44 towns will pay just over $280,500 for 30 students.

Assessments are based on vocational school enrollment and member towns’ school enrollment.

The unaffiliated towns of Gilead will pay $11,571; Hanover, $20,408 and Upton, $2,352. Gilead has two students at Region 9 and Hanover sends three students. No vocational students from Upton are now enrolled.

Budget increases are attributed to staff salary hikes and higher costs for fuel and utilities.

Next year’s budget will likely be substantially higher because of the voter-approved renovation and expansion project at the school that is due to begin this summer. Work is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2008.

In other matters on Tuesday, the board welcomed new member Frank DiConzo, who is a SAD 43 board member. He replaces Marlene Gile.

The board also learned of the planned resignation of Genna Bradeen, a representative from SAD 21, as soon as her home district can find a replacement.

The board re-elected Norman Clanton, a representative from SAD 44, as chairman for another year, Melanie Babb as secretary, and Director David Driscoll as treasurer. DiConzo was elected as vice-chairman, replacing SAD 21 representative Wayne Thurston.