MEXICO — The Region 9 School of Applied Technology board Tuesday granted contingent approval to automotive instructor Dan Richard to hold a raffle for a donated vehicle his students are repairing.

The money would be used to buy automotive equipment for use by students in the program.

Richard said a 1994 Ford F-150, 4-wheel-drive pickup was donated to the program to use in any way that would be beneficial to the students. It could be sold, torn apart or fixed up and raffled.

He said money from the student activities account would be used to buy the necessary parts. That money would be returned after the raffle.

If the project is approved by the school’s lawyer, who will check on school-sponsored raffles and liability, the raffle would likely be held by the end of the year.

In other matters, Adult Education Director Nancy Allen said a new volunteer program will likely begin later this fall to train volunteers who can help low-income residents do their income taxes. She said many eligible people from the area do not file for the earned-income credit from the federal government.

Student Services Coordinator Cheryl Ellis said 183 students have enrolled in the school’s vocational programs. This excludes the truck driving course.

Only a few so far have signed up for the school’s new introductory program aimed at sophomores who would have a chance to learn about the vocational programs through two-week classes in each. She said because it is new, she expects a larger number to enroll during the second semester.

The Facilities Committee rejected all bids for doing site work and laying a foundation for a proposed storage building at the rear of the school because the bids were too high.

Board Chairman Norman Clanton said the plan was being revised by the school’s architect and engineer, and will be submitted to the bidders for new estimates.

The building trades class will construct the building once the site work and foundation are completed.

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