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Board debates ending transfers Phoenix-Talent proposal would base returns on student�s year in school By Damian Mann TALENT � Faced with the need to increase funding to offset a budget shortfall, school board members Thursday night debated a proposal that could force many students to eventually return to the district. Board member Rick Nagel said the Phoenix-Talent School District needs to bring in more money to prevent a budget crisis. He proposed increasing the enrollment at schools, which are down by 117 students who have transferred to Ashland or Medford schools. During the first year of Nagel�s plan, which he said is "not set in stone," the district could recoup $160,000. "If you live in the district, you have to go to that district," Nagel said. But he also believed that exceptions could be allowed for some students, particularly children with problems who need a "clean start" in another school. But board member Loretta Nordquist wondered if Nagel�s plan would work. "It doesn�t make sense to keep a student here who would rather go to Medford." Board member Willard Bartell said he has had similar ideas to Nagel�s plan, but felt it could create more political pressure to enact a voucher initiative, which would allow parents to send students to any school they chose. Nagel proposed allowing students in ninth through 12 grades who are enrolled in another district to remain. Students at a middle school, though, would have to come back to the district�s high school once they have finished at the other school. Third- through fifth-graders could also continue outside the district, but would have to return at middle school. And kindergartners through second-graders could complete this year outside the district, but would have to return by next year. After the third year on this plan, Nagel said the board would receive about $245,000 in additional revenues. Phoenix-Talent has seen its cash reserves dwindle from $1.1 million last year to an estimated $300,000 as it goes into the next fiscal year. Board members said Nagel�s proposal is just one of many they will be considering, but they admitted whatever plan they settle on will not please everyone. The district has already received numerous calls and letters from parents who are fearful the district will ban transfers. Nagel said, "When people are angry, there is an underlying feeling of fear." Lisa Odegaard, who sends her child to Walker Elementary School in Ashland, told the board that sending their child to the district would be "very traumatizing for us as a family." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.