MEXICO – Classes are going on as usual while the Region 9 School of Applied Technology renovation and construction project continues. School directors toured the facility prior to meeting on Tuesday.

“It’s slowly developing,” said Director Brenda Gammon.

Most classes that require bays and other labs can use them now, but a couple cannot. Those classes focus on paper and pencil work or are held in other areas.

Gammon said metal trades students should move into their new bay next week. They have been meeting at the River Valley Technology Center since school resumed three weeks ago. The diversified occupations program also scheduled for a bay meets in a portable classroom on school property.

Two adult education classes scheduled to begin were postponed until next week.

Gammon said finish work needs to be completed in all parts of the addition. She has not been able to schedule a grand opening because she’s not sure when the project will be completed. It will be before the school’s regular open house, set for November.

Change orders have cropped up, with the latest and several previous ones related to electrical issues, she said. The project is coming in at or below the $4.9 million budget.

One of two new vocational programs, the early childhood development program, is holding an open house for parents of toddlers who will take part in it on Monday. The children are also invited so they can get to know where they will be when the program begins on Tuesday.

Gammon said 20 tots between the ages of 2 and 5 are enrolled in the program; others are on a waiting list.

The second new program, automotive technology, has nearly 30 students enrolled and space for a couple more.

Instructor Dan Richard and educational technician Jerry Pelletier appeared before the board Tuesday night to discuss whether students should practice on donated vehicles, known as closed shop, or do car repair for vehicles owned by other students and staff, known as live work or open shop.

Gammon said the board would gather more information before making a decision.