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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Getting a handle on Medford's mean streets ... Since You Asked: State doesn't enforce self-service fuel law on reservations ... Co-owner of historic Butte Creek Mill remembered for her generous spirit ... Our View: Getting a handle on Medford's mean streets ... Since You Asked: State doesn't enforce self-service fuel law on reservations ... Co-owner of historic Butte Creek Mill remembered for her generous spirit ... OUR VIEW Our View: Medford School District's new spending appears prudent Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Medford School District is embarking on some new initiatives, not the least of which is a concerted effort to raise its graduation rate. Accomplishing that will require spending some money from the district's reserves — a calculated risk, but not an unreasonable one under the circumstances. Superintendent Brian Shumate is proposing dipping into the reserves for about $1.5 million, to cover some one-time expenses associated with new programs. For starters, Shumate wants to start extended day programs at Howard, Washington and Roosevelt elementary schools. He also is proposing a new program to offer special instruction to middle-school students who need extra help before starting high school. If the district wants to see more students graduate with high school diplomas, making sure they are ready to cope with high school at the outset makes a great deal of sense. The program would identify eighth-graders who are immature or who have poor attendance and academic records and a history of interventions. Those students would be offered what is tentatively being called "grade 8.5" — at least an extra quarter and up to a full year of schooling between middle school and high school. Up to 60 students would attend special classes in the same building as Central Medford High School, but district officials are adamant that it would not be an "alternative middle school" that warehouses failing students. If the district can make the program work as intended — give targeted students the extra preparation they need to be ready to tackle high school and succeed — it will be well worth the extra investment. This program and other initiatives, including a pre-engineering and biomedical program, an effort to connect Hispanic middle-schoolers at McLoughlin with Southern Oregon University representatives and the reinstatement of parent-teacher conferences, will take the district's reserves from about 8 percent of its annual budget to about 6 percent. That still would leave a cushion of $7.4 million, so it's hardly breaking the bank. If the new ventures pay off in improved graduation rates, it will be money well spent. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501