MEXICO — The Vocational Region 9 board began its 2012-13 budget deliberations Wednesday night, learning of proposed increases for secondary programs and adult and community education.

Finance Committee member Wayne Thurston said the proposed secondary budget is $80,000 more than the current figure of just over $2 million.

Region 9 Director Brenda Gammon said the additional money would pay for a floating educational technician position to help in many of the programs, continuing a full-time English teacher, and higher costs for fuel and insurance.

She said Thursday that the Finance Committee and the board will likely find some cuts to offset some of the increase.

Nancy Allen, director of the adult and community education program, presented a budget of $229,000, which is $40,000 more than this year’s $189,000.

The increase would pay for more custodial hours, higher insurance premiums and replacing a full-time teacher. She said the sending towns would be responsible to raise $188,000 of the $229,000.

The board set a special meeting for 6:30 p.m. March 21 to finalize both budgets. Hearings on them are set for 6 p.m. March 29 at Telstar High School in Bethel and 7:30 p.m. March 29 at the Region 9 school on the River Road.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. April 4 to sign the warrant for the budget referendum, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. May 2 at the school.

The board also welcomed new member Bruce Ross of Dixfield. He is the vice chairman of the RSU 10 board and replaces longtime member Randy Canwell.