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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend May 17, 2006 Jackson School advocates moved to tears By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune Jackson Elementary parents, teachers, students and community leaders made an emotional plea to the Medford School Board Tuesday to reject a bond proposal by a facilities planning committee that entails closing the 95-year-old school on West Jackson Street. Making up the majority of some 200 people who turned out for the public hearing on the committee's recommendation for a $189.2 million bond measure, Jackson supporters wore school T-shirts and held up homemade signs with slogans such as "Jackson School is worth saving." Some of the speakers were moved to tears as they urged the school board to keep Jackson open for the low-income, homeless and Spanish-speaking families who depend on it to give their children an education as well as meals, medical care, after-school activities and English as a Second Language classes. "Jackson School is a symbol of community that sits among the poorest neighborhoods in Medford," Medford City Councilman John Statler said, his voice shaking with emotion. "Children who suffer the insecurity of poverty find sanctuary at the school that is just a walk away." In addition to closing Jackson, the bond proposal includes replacing South Medford High School, remodeling the high school into a third middle school and replacing Lone Pine Elementary. It also calls for gutting and remodeling North Medford High School, overhauling Washington, Roosevelt and Oak Grove elementary schools and making repairs at the district's other 11 campuses. Under the plan, Jackson students would be distributed among Jefferson, Oak Grove, Roosevelt, Washington and Wilson elementary schools. Committee members said they targeted Jackson for closure because of the poor condition of the structure, relatively low enrollment and its location abutting the attendance areas of five other elementary schools with services for low-income students. More than 30 people spoke against the proposal to close Jackson. Others submitted written comments. Among them were Spanish speakers who spoke through translators and representatives from the West Medford Community Coalition, the Safe Routes to School program, Unete Center for Farm Worker Advocacy, the Medford Multicultural Commission and the Medford Housing and Community Development Commission. They argued that the benefits the school provides to its low-income neighborhood are priceless. Nearly 90 percent of pupils at Jackson come from families at or below the poverty level, about 30 percent are considered homeless and more than 40 percent speak English as a second language. The school offers a free clinic, called Kids Health Connection, which serves those who otherwise wouldn't have medical care. "This school year they have already provided care for 1,328 individuals," said Jeff Kinsella, a second-grade teacher at Jackson. "This is more than any of the other three Kids Health Connection facilities despite our lower enrollment." Most Jackson pupils can walk to the school, giving them physical exercise and allowing them to participate in after-school programs they couldn't attend if they had to ride a school bus home, Jackson supporters said. "Before we moved to this neighborhood my children attended Oak Grove," said Kathy Greager, a Jackson parent. "Because of where we lived, they often had to miss special events and school functions because we weren't able to get them there." At Jackson, Greager said she and her children can walk to school functions. "At this income level you often have to choose between a gallon of milk or a gallon of gas," she said. Two people spoke in favor of the bond proposal, including Kylie Clement, a parent and member of Friends of Roosevelt Elementary and Jeanine Holtby, a Lone Pine Elementary parent. "The bond will improve the district as a whole, and it needs to pass," Holtby said. Karen Starchvick, a Jacksonville Elementary parent and a representative from the local chapter of Stand for Children, which pushes for increased state funding of schools, said the board will likely have to close a school in order to garner support for a bond measure. "What school should it be?" she said. "I don't know." The school board is expected to decide on a bond package at its June 6 meeting. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews