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Measure 13 gives voters hard choice for education By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County school officials predict devastating cuts if voters reject Measure 13 in the May 21 election but remain dubious about claims it can provide long-term funding solutions for education. Measure 13 asks voters to approve a constitutional amendment that converts a $278 million Education Endowment Fund into a so-called "stability fund." Immediately, the Legislature would use up $220 million of the fund to prevent deeper cuts at schools as a result of the $1 billion state budget shortfall. The remaining $58 million would be placed in a long-term fund that theoretically could grow to $600 million in 10 years if left untouched. Every school district in Jackson County has already calculated next year's budget based on a very big gamble - that voters approve Measure 13 in the election. If it fails, Jackson County schools could be looking at carving more than $10 million from their budgets for the next fiscal year. "I don't see how we could survive the next school year without its passage," said Ashland School Board Chairwoman Terry Littleton. After planning cuts of $1.9 million in Ashland, Littleton said the prospect of slicing another $1.2 million if Measure 13 fails is overwhelming. Skeptical about claims the fund would eventually provide long-term financial stability for schools, Littleton said, "If they had left it (the fund) alone it would have grown even more." Littleton worries that some voters don't understand that Measure 13 only prevents further cuts to education. "There is a great misunderstanding that the measure will award more money to districts this year," she said. Most school officials reluctantly support Measure 13, but major education organizations including the Oregon Education Association and the Oregon School Boards Association have denounced it. Gov. John Kitzhaber has called the legislative initiative "irresponsible." Opponents say the measure plunders an existing school account, taking the onus off the Legislature to come up with a long-term solution for K-12 funding and leaving the possibility of worse cuts in the next biennial budget. "We want the Legislature to stop sticking its head in the sand," said Richard Ramirez, field representative of the Oregon School Employees Association in Jackson County. While he concedes that funding problems have put districts between a rock and a hard place, Ramirez said the passage of Measure 13 will only give the Legislature another excuse not to act. "If not now, when?" he said. "How bad does it have to get?" Oregon budget analysts are predicting another shortfall in the next biennium that could set off another round of cutbacks in schools. "It's going to be a real mess next year," said Ramirez. Medford schools Superintendent Steve Wisely, who is trying to cut $2.4 million out of next year's budget, said he would rather have the money now and gamble that the next legislative session finds a long-term funding solution. If Measure 13 fails, Wisely said, "It would be devastating - not that these (current) cuts aren't." Under the current budget scenario, Wisely said the district is looking at not filling about 40 positions lost through attrition. In a scenario where Measure 13 fails and lawmakers don't find another funding source, Wisely said he would have to resort to laying off staff. "From now on it would be live bodies," he predicted. Although supporters claim Measure 13 would create a long-term funding solution, school officials are dubious. "I don't see that anywhere," said Eagle Point schools Superintendent Bill Jones. Jones said schools either must back the plan or face worse cuts in their budgets because the Legislature won't have the political will to find other funding sources. Prospect schools Superintendent Don Alexander said, "I think it's the better of two evils." He's hoping that after the election a new crop of legislators will consider new funding sources for education. Rogue River schools Superintendent Charles Hellman, who didn't want to offer an official position on the measure, said, "If the measure should fail and the Legislature does not reinstate the $220 million shortfall, then K-12 funding could be reduced further." The district lost $240,000 when lawmakers cut $112 million out of Oregon education, resulting in the loss of two teaching positions - one at the middle school and one at the elementary level. However, if Measure 13 fails, Hellman said, "The Rogue River School District could potentially lose $470,000 in resources. That loss translates to $360 per student." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.