BUTLER TWP — The Butler County VoTech has approved Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV conducting the search for a new director at the vo-tech.

The school’s joint operating committee approved longtime director Joe Cunningham’s retirement last month.

A new director will likely be placed by the beginning of the next school year. MIU IV is doing the search at no charge to the school.

Interim Director Dom Ionta said he’s been impressed with the school’s accomplishments during his brief time there.

“We have a culture we can be extremely proud of,” Ionta said at the monthly VoTech JOC meeting on Thursday.

Also at the meeting, the vo-tech $4.9 million budget was ratified for the 2015-2016 school year, with approval from five of the seven school districts that have students attending the school. The South Butler School Board rejected the budget while the Seneca Valley School Board tabled the vote until its next meeting.

The board also approved a bond refinance plan that will save school districts involved more than $100,000 over the next 25 years.