MEXICO — Billie Putnam of Peru will teach Region 9 School of Applied Technology’s new program of introducing sophomores to career and technical education.

The former teacher for Mountain
Valley High School in Rumford was chosen from 37 applicants, school Director Brenda Gammon said. 

The new program targets
sophomores from Dirigo High School in Dixfield, Mountain Valley High School in Rumford and Telstar Regional High School in Bethel.

Also at Tuesday’s Region 9 board meeting, two
part-time teachers were hired for English instruction for all
Region 9 students. They are Charlie Nielsen, of Bryant Pond, a former
Dirigo High School English teacher, and Pete St. John, of Weld, a former
English teacher at both Dirigo and Mountain Valley high schools.

In other matters, the board authorized
the Facilities Committee to hire a contractor to provide site work
and to construct a foundation for a 56- by 26-foot, two-bay garage and
storage area at the rear of the school. Gammon said Region 9’s carpentry class
will construct the building.

Funds for the project come from the
recently completed $4.9 million renovation and building addition
project at the River Road school.

Gammon said the board also approved hiring a part-time receptionist for the office during evening
adult and community education classes. The receptionist will work up
to 14 hours a week.

eadams@sunjournal.com