MEXICO – The Region 9 Personnel Committee, SAD 44 Superintendent David Murphy and several staff members will begin review of six applications for director of the vocational school this afternoon.

Board Chairman Norman Clanton said Monday that the group will narrow the field of applicants, then complete interviews within the next couple of weeks.

The need for a new director results from the resignation of David Driscoll, effective at the end of the school year.

Clanton said he was “cautiously optimistic” that a finalist could be named at the board’s May 15 meeting.

However, he said if that is not possible, he will not wait until the June board meeting to name a new director, but would instead call a special board meeting.

The director, besides leading the 160-student school, will be responsible for overseeing a $4.9 million renovation and expansion project.

Clanton said the Mexico Planning Board approved the project at its meeting last Thursday. The plans are being reviewed by the Department of Education. Once that approval is gained, Clanton said the project will be put out to bid.

In the meantime, architect Jim Reuter of the Bethel firm of Smith Reuter Lull is completing final details of the 17,000-square-foot project and renovation with Region 9 staffers.

A late summer ground-breaking is expected, with a completion date in autumn, 2008.