MEXICO — When Region 9 School of Applied Technology reopens Wednesday, Aug. 28, the 160-plus students will see a more flexible schedule.

Director Brenda Gammon said students enrolled in Employability Skills will have the option to attend a full day and a half day, rather than two full days, per week if they need more time at their sending schools to complete academic requirements.

Employability Skills provides students, primarily freshmen and sophomores, with a chance to learn about all the trade classes offered at Region 9.

Students enrolled in computer skills classes may attend fewer hours at Region 9 if the classes interfere with Advanced Placement classes at their home schools.

“We’re trying to open up more opportunities for students and be more flexible,” Gammon said. “We’re very aware that the sending high schools and Region 9 need to be flexible for all our students.”

Students enrolled in wood harvesting will have a new excavator, purchased by Region 9.

And those who attend Pete Barlow’s metal trades classes will have a new computerized lathe.

Also new this year is a computer repair curriculum taught by Ruth Brown.

The Adult and Community Education program’s full-time instructor will be Duane Dorion, who had previously taught math part time. The former instructor, Kim Hamel, has moved to an elementary position at Rumford Elementary School.

Amy Hatch, a part-time computer instructor, will also assume the duties of part-time adult education receptionist. Former receptionist Deborah Murphy has taken a full-time job in the private sector.

The Region 9 Cooperative Board is expected to finalize the appointments at its first meeting of the new school year on Sept. 4. A part-time English teacher opening still exists.

The adult education program is also preparing for new General Education Diploma requirements.

The enrollment figure does not include truck driving students, she said.

Openings are available in nearly all programs, except for the certified nursing assistant program. Gammon said more students are expected to enroll once classes begin at the three sending high schools — Telstar Regional in Bethel, Mountain Valley in Rumford and Dirigo in Dixfield. 

On Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, staff will serve a welcome-back barbecue to students.

Staff will attend workshops Aug. 26 and Aug. 27.

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