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54 °F 5 Day Forecast Sunday, October 26, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend October 19, 2003 Schools sweat out surtax vote By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Without a proposed statewide surtax, local school districts will be forced to slash millions of dollars during the 2004-05 fiscal year, according to figures released by the Oregon School Boards Association. After two years of massive staff, program and spending reductions, school districts are left with only two realistic options, they say — fire a record number of teachers and employees or shorten the school year anywhere from five to 40 days. "It’s highly emotional. It’s gut-wrenching," said Medford Superintendent Dick Gregory, who estimated the district could face between a $4.6 million and $10 million deficit if an $800 million proposed surtax is put to a vote and fails. "There’s just no way to do this without upsetting parents and hurting kids." Based on projections from OSBA, Central Point and Eagle Point school districts would face a $3 million deficit, while Phoenix-Talent is looking at a $2 million shortfall without promised revenue. Advertisement At Rogue River, business manager David Marshall said the district stands to lose $427,000 in funding. However, he noted that the school board adopted a budget anticipating the deficit in 2003-04. "Even if the money’s taken away, the Rogue River School District should be in pretty good shape," said Marshall. "Even in the worst possible case in 2004-05, I think we’ll be weakened but not murdered." Legislators in August approved the $800 million revenue package to fund the 2003-05 state budget, with $414 million set aside for public schools. The package would be funded through a three-year surtax and an increase in the corporate minimum tax. For a household making $36,461 — the median income in Jackson County in 1999 — the surtax would cost $43 a year. Opponents of the plan are gathering signatures to bring the issue to a vote Feb. 3. If voters overturn the tax hike, school districts would face a 9 percent reduction of funding in 2004-05. Many school districts would be forced to make automatic budget cuts this fiscal year. School districts are still reeling from massive budget cuts in 2002-03, when voters turned down Measure 28. At nearly every school district in the state, employees agreed to shave between two and 20 days from the school year. Because employees make up 80 to 85 percent of school budgets, school districts are left with few options other than cutting staff or days. Although enrollment in Jackson County schools has remained relatively flat, the reduction in school staff has created some of the largest class sizes in history. "You get to the point where you can’t cut any more staff without creating safety issues. All that’s left is days," said Central Point Business Director Vicki Robinson. "If people think what happened last year was bad, they better hold on." "We don’t have any magic formula. If one’s out there, we would sure like to hear it," added Phoenix- Talent Superintendent Ben Bergreen, who noted the district already cut $4.1 million in two years. "Whatever we do, it’s going to hurt." Gregory said Medford employees are researching the impacts of cuts to every area within the district. He noted that any expenditure — athletics, music and arts, textbooks, staff positions at every level and school supplies — could wind up on the chopping block. "We’re putting together a list of possible reductions and it’s going to be considerable," he said. "You cannot cut $5 million to $10 million in a school without impacting services, personnel, and the bottom line, kids." Reach reporter Jill Briskey 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 © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder 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