MEXICO — The Region 9 School of Applied Technology board unanimously approved drafts of the secondary and adult education 2012-13 budgets Wednesday night. They show 2.5 percent and 4 percent increases, respectively.

The Finance Committee’s proposal eliminates a full-time English teaching position, which means each vocational course must now include some activities for which students can earn English credit.

For the past couple of years, English has been taught to students who couldn’t schedule it into their first period at high school.

The current operating budget is $2,085,827; the 2012-13 proposal is $2,137,890. The increase is prompted by higher heating oil costs and creation of an educational technician position to assist where needed.

The adult and community education budget proposal is $321,364, which is $35,838 more than this year. Taxpayers would pay only about $170,000 of the total figure. Grant money, carryover funds and enrichment class tuition would pay the rest.

The increase was prompted by the need for additional custodial help, higher health insurance premium costs, and replacement of the head adult education teacher.

Public hearings on the two budgets are set for 6 p.m. March 29 at Telstar High School in Bethel and 7:30 p.m. March 29 at the vocational school in Mexico.

Residents will vote on the budgets at 6 p.m. May 2 at the River Road school.