Voters approve a $2.02 million budget for Mexico vocational school

Twenty-six voters from towns encompassing Region 9 School of Applied Technology in Mexico unanimously approve a $2.02 million budget for 2022-23 at the school Wednesday. Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times

MEXICO — Twenty-six voters from towns encompassing Region 9 School of Applied Technology approved a $2.02 million budget for 2022-23 on Wednesday.

The amount is $283,000 less than the $2.31 million for this fiscal year.

Board Director Paul Handlen was elected as moderator for the budget meeting and Jenn Whittemore and Dawn Leahy served as ballot clerks.

Voters also approved a $397,855 budget for the school’s adult education services. $264,349 of that budget will be raised as the local share in assessments from Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Dirigo High School in Dixfield, and the Andover school district.

Another approved article establishes a fuel reserve fund and transfers $25,000 from available fund balances to the reserve fund.

The 16 towns sending students to Region 9 School of Applied Technology are Rumford, Mexico, Roxbury, Hanover, Bethel, Newry, Woodstock, Greenwood, Dixfield, Canton, Carthage, Peru, Andover, Byron, Gilead and Upton.

Courses offered include culinary arts, certified nursing assistant, early childhood education, commercial driver’s license, fire science and outdoor skills and leadership.

The school is planning a job fair on Tuesday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. featuring several local employers and colleges. The event will be held outside of the school building at 377 River Road in Mexico, weather permitting.