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M/CLOUDY Temp: 64 °F Wind: NW at 12 mph Monday, June 23, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend June 21, 2003 Trading places in Medford schools? By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune With housing developments sprouting up and more on the way, Medford School Board members say it’s time to consider changing elementary school boundaries. But they know the changes can be controversial and so are quick to point out any shifts are still months away and likely won’t affect next year’s attendance. "It’s just hard because it’s such an emotional issue for parents," said Peggy Penland, a school board member who became involved in district politics 10 years ago following a boundary change that transferred her children to a different middle school. "We’re not doing this to make people mad. We’re doing this because we have 13,000 kids that have to fit into 19 schools." The School Board has not yet publicly discussed the issue. Administrators say they will host a series of public open houses, gather information from developers about current and future construction projects and wait until new superintendent Dick Gregory comes aboard before making any decisions on the potentially volatile subject. Advertisement According to Superintendent Steve Wisely, 1997 was the last time Medford examined the boundaries that define where youngsters attend school. The process of investigating boundary lines typically takes place every five years, but Wisely said the subject was tabled in hopes that voters would approve a bond levy in 2002 that would have paid for a new middle school. The levy, which failed, would have relieved overcrowding in the district’s elementary schools by transferring all sixth-graders into middle schools. "Yes, the need is there, and yes, there are developments all over town that need to be considered," Wisely said. "Its just time to do this." Medford Planning Director Rob Scott said there are several developments currently under construction that could affect the school district. They include a 224-lot project along North Phoenix Road, and a 225-lot development near East McAndrews Road, still in the early planning stages. Also under construction is Hampton Place and Candlewood, two housing developments along Rossanley Drive that would total more than 400 lots. Those projects, along with a number of smaller developments, could impact attendance at Abraham Lincoln, Hoover, Howard, Jefferson, Oak Grove, Griffin Creek, Lone Pine and Jacksonville elementary schools. School officials say several schools, including Abraham Lincoln, Howard, Jefferson and Griffin Creek are already overcrowded. "Things are changing every day and you have to look at how it’s impacting the school district," said Dennis Hoffbuhr, a former board member and Medford surveyor who will help the board as it reevaluates boundary lines. "It basically comes down to a capacity issue." Board chairman Mike Moran doesn’t expect any changes to take place before the school year begins in September. "The process is too important to rush," said Moran. "You need time to hear from everybody. I think it’s good that we’re looking into the issue." The boundary lines that determine where students attend middle and high school won’t be included in the review process, Wisely said. Meeting Monday The Medford School Board on Monday is expected to discuss the process for changing school boundaries. According to Superintendent Steve Wisely, there will not be any formal discussion about any proposed changes. Instead, members will talk about the process and the formation of a boundary committee. Also, the school board is expected to adopt a budget for the 2003-04 fiscal year. The meeting will take place at noon in the district office, 500 Monroe Ave. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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