Mexican technical school accepts $2.3 million bid to build welding building

Bruce Ross of Dixfield (left), Region 9 School of Applied Technology board president, speaks at the Mexico school board meeting Wednesday. Board members approved a $2.3 million bid by Benchmark Construction of Westbrook for the school's welding building. Others, from left, are Trustee Karen Thurston of Andover, Judy Boucher of Byron, Vice President Wayne Thurston of Peru, District 9 Superintendent Brenda Gammon, Trustee Brian Keene of Canton, and Peter Peter of Mexico. DePhilippe board member is Greg Buccina of Rumford. Marianne Hutchinson/Rumford Falls Times

MEXICO – Region 9 School of Applied Technology trustees on Wednesday approved a $2.3 million bid by Benchmark Construction of Westbrook for a welding building.

Region 9 Superintendent Brenda Gammon said this was the lowest of six bids received for the school on Tuesday.

The deadline for construction completion is December, and it is a condition of the grant that will pay for it, she said.

A $5.48 million state grant for land purchase funds for welded building projects, an outdoor culinary arts center, and outdoor skills and leadership programs was approved by voters in November 2022.

In other business, trustees approved a $2.5 million high school budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year. That's $28,226 more than this year, Gammon said, in part because Region 9 will receive $9,792 less in state aid next year.

The board also approved a proposed adult education budget for next year of $428,136, $1,745 less than this year, said Dave Murphy, director of adult and community education.

“Of that $428,136, we're putting $50,000 into the adult education carryover (fund), and the (state) grant has also increased by $13,411,” he said.

A series of public hearings on the 2024-25 budget will be held on March 20th at a location to be determined from 6:00 p.m., and from 7:30 p.m. at a Region 9 school. The budget meeting and vote will be held at the school on May 1 at 6 p.m.

The career and technical education center offers courses in culinary arts, certified nursing assistants, computer technology, automotive technology, truck driver training, building construction, fire science, forestry and timber harvesting, outdoor skills and leadership, and more, according to its website. They also offer courses.

Residents of 16 communities, including Andover, Bethel, Byron, Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Gilead, Greenwood, Hanover, Mexico, Newry, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford, Upton, and Woodstock, participate in school programs and Services are available.

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