MEXICO — The Region 9 board heard presentations by officials from two of the school’s 10 vocational programs at its Wednesday night meeting as a way to get to know more about each programs and to learn about needs.

Board members during the last school year said such presentations would help them know why certain items are requested during the budgeting process, as well as provide a better understanding of each of the programs.

This month’s presentations were by Dan Richard and Jerry Pelletier of the automotive program, and Dave Mason and Mark Beaudoin of the forestry program.

Both offerings provide certifications for students who successfully complete certain components of the vocational programs.

Richard said Automotive I students can earn patch-plug certification for the repair of tires, and Automotive II students can be certified to conduct state vehicle inspections. Other certifications are also available.

“Kids are really proud of themselves when they walk out of there with a state inspection license,” Pelletier said.

The two automotive instructors said students will also have a chance to take field trips to various colleges that offer additional automotive training, such as one on Nov. 1 to Universal Technical Institute in Norwood, Mass.

Currently enrolled in the two automotive classes are about 25 students.

Mason and Beaudoin said this is the first year of a pilot program for a third year in wood harvesting.

Beaudoin has introduced deed reading, writing a contract to cut wood on properties, and a series of other details required of someone who is in the logging business.

“Cutting wood is the easy part. Running a logging business is not,” he said.

Mason said first-year students focus largely on safety, grading and scaling, which are two skills students can be certified in. Second year students learn the financial end of logging. All three years teach equipment operation.

Nearly a dozen students are enrolled in wood harvestry this year.

Truck driving and employability presentations will be heard at the November meeting; building construction and computers technician and graphic design in December, certified nursing assistant and early childhood development in January, fire science and metal trades in March, and any of the 10 programs that may need rescheduling in April.

In other matters, the Finance Committee has met with the staff to begin discussions on a proposal to place instructors on pay scales, with steps, similar to the schedule school districts use.

The board also learned that water has leaked into the basement of a portion of the school building. Board member Paul Handlen said the Facilities Committee will meet to determine the steps to take to repair the problem.