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50 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, November 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 18, 2004 District: Ruch Elementary not being sold By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The Medford School District isn’t considering an offer from Applegate Christian Fellowship to buy Ruch Elementary School, officials stressed Wednesday. Concerns about the church’s possible interest in the school building erupted late Tuesday at a school board meeting in Ruch to discuss the elementary school’s future. The district has opened discussions on potentially closing the school because of dropping enrollment and tight budgets. In response to audience questions at Tuesday’s meeting, district Business Manager Galen Anderson first said he had received an offer to buy the school, then clarified that what he had received was a phone call expressing interest in buying the property. He later confirmed that the call was from Applegate Christian Fellowship. His initial comment about an offer shocked the board as members hadn’t yet been told of the conversation. "I was really surprised," board Chairman Mike Moran said Wednesday. "I think of an offer in writing with terms. This was just a phone call of inquiry and that’s why the board hadn’t heard about it." Advertisement Superintendent Kathy McCollum said the district regularly gets inquiries about the possible sale of buildings and undeveloped land it owns. "Those come in almost on a weekly basis," she said. "It’s not unusual at all." Formal offers are forwarded to the board, but staff handles simple inquiries, she said. As the board ponders the future of Ruch Elementary, any potential sale "wouldn’t be a driving force," board member Tricia Prendergast said Tuesday night. Moran said he considers all district property a long-term investment and doesn’t support selling schools or land. If Ruch Elementary closed, the district then would start a process to determine what to do with the building, he said. "A sale is in no way an impetus for closure," McCollum echoed Wednesday. Both McCollum and Moran said they were pleased with the discussion during Tuesday’s meeting and the ideas the community brought out to support the school. Ideas included increasing volunteerism to cut costs, starting a foundation to support the school, seeking additional state money available to small schools and considering annexing Applegate Elementary School. The board plans to discuss the issue next month, then direct administrators to begin exploring some of the options brought up in the community meeting. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities