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--> --> S.O.S., there's still time to make a difference By Bob Kuenzel Ashland With great support from across the community, our Save Our Schools Campaign passed the $400,000 mark last week. Because the school district must know what money is available to bring back teachers, add support hours, etc. before everyone goes away for the summer, our campaign must close on June 15. Dollars can come in later (indeed, through next February), but pledges must be made now to really count. I've spoken with hundreds of people in this campaign. Two questions stand out lately that merit brief response - while there's still time to help this campaign succeed. What will happen to the money, with Measure 13 down and the Legislature's response unclear? Good question, only one simple answer: As we've said all along, we will spend the funds available on the highest priority needs of our district, to get the best bang for the buck to help our kids learn next year. Beyond that, it does get murky: The legislative response will have a lot to say about whether we're scrambling to help matters not get even worse, or bringing back "only" some of the staff, hours, and/or programs that would have been lost on the $1.9 million budget cut scenario. The specifics will be negotiated with district leadership later this month; the general picture is what it's always been. It's so clear that a political solution is needed long-term; isn't this just a bandage? Many thoughtful people have raised this issue - and they are right, at least in part. There is no question that political issues underlie the crisis that will afflict our schools next year, or that we need to fight to elect legislators who will do better for our kids next time around.  But here is the truth: If we succeed fully in our campaign, we will mitigate a fraction of the devastation that will hit our kids in school next year. Not all; just part. We can only help. We can only make it a little better for real kids, in real schools, in our one little town in Southern Oregon. To those who argue we need blood in the streets for a political fix, I ask only: "Do you doubt there will be plenty of that even after our campaign? Do you want more blood - from our own kids?" Is it just a bandage? Maybe. My wife and I make yearly charitable gifts to organizations that help address world hunger. We look for and enjoy supporting organizations that help drought-stricken towns build a safe-water well, or teach famine-ridden communities to farm better - i.e., longer term answers. But we also help organizations that send sacks of rice to those in famine, because without such help, the people who receive it might die. We aren't talking about physical starvation in our SOS Campaign, but you don't need to be a teacher to know about the starvation that can crush the spirit of a child, or what happens to a kid who doesn't get enough help to learn to read properly by third grade. We will make a difference in our small community. We will make it a little easier for kids here to learn next year. And without giving an inch on my commitment also to fight the bigger political battle - I am really proud of our community for stepping forward to do that. There's still time to help - but do it now! Every gift matters. But they matter most if we know about them now. Send your check or your pledge in today - to ASF, 100 Walker Avenue, Ashland; or phone your pledge at 482-8197. Donation forms are available on the Web site: http://www . sosashland.com. Bob Kuenzel is chair of the Ashland Schools Foundation. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing