MEXICO — The Vocational Region 9 board plans to look into the possibility of switching from heating oil to some other form of energy.

Region 9 Director Brenda Gammon said so far this year, the school has used $6,000 more than the budgeted $34,000 for fuel oil, and the heating season isn’t over.

“We’ll look into wood pellets or chips and look for grants that could be used for alternative heating,” she said.

The board is placing $45,000 into the heating oil account for the 2012-13 school year.

She and the board have already looked at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris and other schools that use wood pellets for heating.

The Facilities Committee will begin its investigation at a meeting later this month. Once the budget is developed in May, Gammon said a special committee may be appointed to conduct a more in-depth exploration.

She will also consider inviting representatives from alternative heating companies to meet with the board.

“We want to see what’s available out there that could reduce costs,” she said. “We are a school of technology.”