MEXICO — Chairman Norman Clanton of the Region 9 School of Applied Technology board began Wednesday’s meeting with a moment of silence in remembrance of former board member Arthur Boivin.

Clanton said Boivin, who represented Rumford, always had the good of students at heart and worked to help them achieve their goals.

Boivin died Saturday after a short battle with cancer, according to his obituary.

Brenda Gammon, director of the school, said Region 9 plans to give a gift of a newspaper subscription in Boivin’s memory to the Holy Savior School in Rumford.

In other matters at the meeting, adult and community education director Nancy Allen said 28 General Educational Development students graduated Tuesday night. One student received a Dirigo High School diploma, she said.

She said summer school for GED and other students is scheduled for July 9 to Aug. 15 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hours at the River Road school are 8 a.m. until noon.

She said several high school students are expected to enroll to earn credits, as well as a group of adult education GED students.

Gammon was directed by the board to look into what can be done to prevent adult students from crossing busy Route 2 to smoke. Board member Betty Barrett said she has heard concerns about the practice from several people.

Also on Wednesday, the board:

* Set hourly wages or annual salaries for several educational technicians and support staff, as well as for an adult education teacher.

* Approved a hot lunch contract with RSU 10 for delivery to vocational students. Gammon said the meals will be transported from Mountain Valley Middle School in Mexico.

* Tentatively set July 10 as the date of the next board meeting, if needed.

* Said goodbye to Bethel board member Lynn Arizzi, who attended her last meeting Wednesday. She is moving out of state. Roberta Taylor, also of Bethel, will take Arizzi’s seat.

At the end of the meeting, the board entered into a closed session with Gammon and automotive instructor Dan Richard.