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69 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 12, 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 Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest 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 April 13, 2004 State figures add to Medford shortfall But situation won’t change much for other county school districts By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The Oregon Department of Education’s most recent school funding estimates added to the deficit Medford schools face but changed little for other school districts in the county. Last week, Medford district business director Galen Anderson said he hoped the updated numbers would bring good news. Instead, the numbers released Friday estimate the district’s revenues for the budget year that starts July 1 will be $184,580 less than was predicted in February. The latest estimate leaves Medford with a deficit of nearly $4.8 million, Anderson said. This year’s operating budget is $79.5 million, and next year’s is expected to drop to around $74.7 million, he said. The district initially had anticipated a $7.6 million shortfall, but improving economic conditions put the amount at about $4.6 million, according to an estimate state education officials made in February. "This was not the information we were hoping for," Anderson said of Friday’s update. "This increases our deficit." Advertisement The updated estimates reflect changes in the average daily attendance figures at schools, said Bret West, director of management services at the state Department of Education. State funding is distributed based on the number of students at a school, with additional funding provided for students who have extra needs. Medford’s attendance has dipped since the February estimate, the latest report said. The state plans to release an updated revenue forecast before district budgets must be finalized June 30. Other Jackson County school districts said the updated estimates, which arrive from the state regularly, won’t change their plans. The estimates show Rogue River could get $42,398 more than was anticipated in February. "It’s not significant and we won’t adjust our budget," said David Marshall, the Rogue River district’s business manager. In Eagle Point, Finance Director Greg Lecuyer said the most recent estimate was in line with the district’s expectations, although an error in the student count used in the February estimate creates a false perception that the school’s expected revenues have plummeted by $3.8 million. The expected revenue changes in other district ranged from $200 in Pinehurst to $8,000 in the Phoenix-Talent district. 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