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CLEAR Temp: 34 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 5, 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 February 1, 2003 Eagle Point trims 10 school days Shortened calendar won’t have an impact on state accreditation By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Eagle Point on Thursday became the second district in Jackson County to cut days from the school year, and administrators say Ashland will follow suit later this month. But the decisions — which help balance current budgets for both districts — will place Ashland and Eagle Point schools below the state’s minimum required classroom hours. Eagle Point will cut 10 school days, beginning in April. Public schools that fail to meet minimum classroom hours for two consecutive years lose their accreditation. "There’s no penalty for shortening your school year for one year," said communications director Gene Evans of the Oregon Department of Education on Friday. "But if they fail to meet minimum requirements the second year, (schools) will lose state funding and can’t give diplomas." But Evans said because so many schools are falling below the minimum, the rule won’t be enforced this year. Nearly 100 of Oregon’s 198 school districts have already cut school days since Measure 28 failed. School districts can slash budgets in one swoop by eliminating school days, which cuts employee salaries and other expenses. Evans said the majority of districts have cut between five and six school days. Portland topped the list on Wednesday when district officials announced 24 days would be slashed. In Jackson County, districts are eyeing between four and 10 days. "This has never happened in the state of Oregon. This is unprecedented," Evans added. "But this is the last option the districts have. There’s no other place, no other ways to save money." Eagle Point Superintendent Bill Jones said the board voted Thursday to slash 10 days. The district has a $26 million general operating budget, and administrators must cut $743,000. Finance Director Greg Lecuyer said slashing 10 days will save $700,000. "It was a very difficult decision," Jones said. "But to cut people and programs, it would be chaotic for the students, first of all, and then for the employees." Ashland School Board Chairman John Mauer said although there has been no official vote, eight days will be cut in that district — a decision that will save $576,000. Ashland — which has an operating budget of $19.5 million — faces a $760,000 deficit. Mauer said reserves will make up the difference. Ashland Superintendent Juli Di Chiro said the board will discuss which days to cut at a meeting on Feb. 10. All employees will lose eight days of salary, but Di Chiro said a handful of employees will work on cut days to keep the district’s administrative office open. Those employees would take different days off, she added. Rogue River officials have already voted to cut 10 days this year, saving roughly $370,000. The district is facing a $770,000 deficit, but administrators say reserves will make up the difference. Despite the cutback, Rogue River won’t fall below the state’s minimum required hours, administrators said. Except for Prospect, administrators of all Jackson County districts say they will cut days this year. Prospect administrators will use reserve funds to plug the hole in their budget. Cutting school days this year won’t keep high school seniors from graduating, Evans said. Employees union offersto cut benefits, not days Eagle Point will cut 10 school days to plug a $570,000 budget hole. The union representing Eagle Point School District employees on Thursday pitched a counter-proposal that would keep kids in the classroom and wouldn’t cut staff salaries. The district is negotiating a contract with employees. Eagle Point Education Association President Jody Streetman on Friday said the union has asked administrators to cut five days or less, rather than 10. In return, Streetman said union employees will give up benefits to make up the difference. "It would show good faith from both sides. We’re just waiting to see," Streetman said. A decision is expected Monday. 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 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S