MEXICO — The Vocational Region 9 board agreed Wednesday night to allow an off-site adult enrichment course and approved use of PayPal for payment of adult education course fees.

The use of the popular online PayPal account, which is estimated to cost the vocational region about 3 percent of the cost of a course, was approved on a one-year basis. Several board members, including Betty Barrett and Randy Canwell, objected to the change, saying that adult students should continue to enroll in enrichment or other classes by registering at the River Road school.

“I don’t want this to happen,” Barrett said.

Adult Education Director Nancy Allen said she expects the number of adult education enrollments to rise so that the cost of the online payment process will be more than balanced. She said many other adult education programs use the program and have seen enrollments increase.

Now, Region 9 takes cash or checks for payment, and registrations must be made over the telephone or in person.

Board Chairman Norman Clanton said PayPal is an accepted practice now, and he has used it.

The change will be reviewed at three-month intervals.

In another adult education matter, the board, for the first time in many years, approved classes in Reiki, meditation, shamanism and other similar courses to be taught at a site other than the school.

Instructor Rhonda Ouellette, owner of Earth Spirit Healing Center, wants to teach the classes at the center, which is in an addition to her Highland Terrace home.

Ouellette requested the move because the classes often require a very quiet atmosphere, and sometimes that isn’t possible in the school building. She said moving to her home business also would mean that she wouldn’t be required to bring tables, blankets, pillows and music to the school for each class.

Following the unanimous vote to approve the change, the board said any future requests would be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Allen said allowing some classes to move off-site could also increase the number of courses offered through the Region 9 adult and community education program.

Clanton said he wants suggestions on how to handle similar requests that could eventually be included in the region’s policy manual.

In other matters, the board approved putting out to bid a 6,000-pound, 48-inch lift currently not used in the automotive program. Bids, at a minimum of $800, will be accepted until 2 p.m. Feb. 1. The board also may reject any bid that is submitted.

The board also entered into a closed session to conduct the annual evaluation of director Brenda Gammon.