MEXICO — Region 9 board members took a first look at a proposed adult and community education budget for 2011-12 on Wednesday night.

As it stands, it would rise about 1 percent, to $266,588 from $264,064.

Region 9 Director Brenda Gammon said neither health care premiums nor staff raises are included in the adult education budget.

She said the board’s Finance Committee will continue work on the Adult Education proposed budget as well as on the secondary vocational budget at a meeting set for March 17.

The secondary budget, showing a 2 percent hike and figuring in a 10 percent increase in health care premiums, was unveiled Wednesday night. That preliminary budget is $2,081,810 and includes a new vocational program in fire science.

Whether the staff teaching in either the secondary or adult education program will receive a cost-of-living raise this year is not yet known.

The final budget will be acted on by board members April 6, and voters will decide whether to accept it on May 11.

eadams@sunjournal.com