MEXICO — The Region 9 board unveiled a preliminary 2011-12 budget Wednesday night that reflects a 2 percent increase over the current year’s vocational school budget.

Finance Committee members were quick to say, however, that a number of changes could take place during the next few weeks.

As proposed, residents of the 12-town region would pay $2,081,810. The major increase includes a new fire science program planned to begin in the fall.

Area fire departments suggested that the school offer the program in an effort to increase call-force members and to give young people a chance to learn part of the required course work before entering higher education to become professional firefighters.

Several fire departments have offered substantial assistance in the form of equipment and expertise, as well as possible costs for students to undergo the required medical tests.

The fire science program would cost about $71,000 for the first year. Part of the necessary costs would be paid by the Perkins grant for the first three years. Then the region would have to absorb those costs.

Finance Committee member Wayne Thurston said the preliminary budget is not finalized and hopes are that it can be pared own before voters have their say on May 11.

He said he hopes that about $65,000 can be brought forward from previous budgets to be applied toward the preliminary proposed budget for 2011-12.

Thurston said staff raises are not included in the preliminary budget, fuel costs are unknown, and the committee used 10 percent as the amount of increase for health insurance premiums.

Newly appointed member Kevin Kaulback asked for the impact a cost-of-living increase would have on a proposed budget.

The Finance Committee agreed to bring those figures to the next board meeting for review.

Committee member Lynn Arizzi said staff members received a 1 percent salary hike for the current school year. The impact on the budget was about $4,000. She said other employers, such as SAD 44 on whose board she sits, will not be giving increases this year. She said other entities that have not given cost-of-living increases include Social Security, and federal and state pensions.

The board will meet again April 6 to finalize a draft budget. Public hearings on the finalized budget will be held at 6 p.m. April 12 at Telstar High School in Bethel and 7:30 p.m. at Region 9 on River Road.

The board will meet April 13 to officially adopt a budget and reorganize for the year. Voting takes place at Region 9 on May 11.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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