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OVERCAST Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, October 4, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection 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 Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 2, 2003 Medford schools seek bond District wants a bond issue to pay for a new middle school, and maybe more By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune The Medford School District will seek a bond measure in 2004 to pay for a third middle school, Board Chairman Mike Moran confirmed on Wednesday. But the school board hasn’t decided if it will also ask voters to pay for a high school skills center or a third high school. "Last time around there was a lot of confusion, opposition and there was some support across the board for the skills center," said Moran. "We have to do something at the high school level. Maybe it’s time to seriously consider a third high school." Voters in 2002 narrowly defeated a $79 million bond measure that would have alleviated overcrowding by paying for a skills center, new middle school and improvements to the two high schools. Advertisement Despite the failure — which many blamed on the poor economy and the skills center proposal — the district vowed to try again in November 2004, when a double majority isn’t required. Asking voters to once again support a new middle school will be a "no-brainer," added Moran. In September, 1,118 students were enrolled at McLoughlin Middle School and 1,175 students were attending Hedrick. Educators speculate that McLoughlin and Hedrick are now the largest middle schools in Oregon, a fact that can’t be determined until an official head count by the state takes place later this week. "We’re full. We’re definitely full," said Hedrick Principal Paul Cataldo, who noted each teacher has roughly 180 students. "We don’t have a single empty classroom." A third middle school also would ease cramped classrooms at the elementary schools by allowing all sixth-graders to attend middle school. Currently, only 20 percent of the district’s sixth-graders attend middle school as part of a pilot program. "It’s a real positive thing for them," added Cataldo. "We would love to have all the sixth-graders with us." School board members say they must seek community input before moving forward with the bond measure issue. Crowding at North and South Medford high schools is also an issue. Approximately 2,000 students attend each high school, and Moran noted that enrollment is projected to increase over the next five years. Medford Superintendent Dick Gregory said that he would prefer to wait until February before moving forward with discussions of a bond measure. That’s when voters are expected to decide the fate of a temporary tax hike that would provide funding for education and social services. "The whole discussion on the bond issue might be put on the back burner for now," said Gregory. "There’s a lot that I think still needs to be laid out on the table." Board member Larry Nicholson, who chaired a board committee supporting the failed 2002 bond measure, noted that the district must examine the results of three separate studies currently under way before moving forward. One study looks at building capacity within the district, the second looks at the district’s facilities and the third delves into existing school boundaries and projected enrollment. "We’re supposed to have those wrapped up in early December," Nicholson added. 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 © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times