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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Northwest storms subside, but mudslide risks remain ... Oregon looks to go back to running own health insurance exchange ... Central Point teacher pleads not guilty to sex abuse ... Northwest storms subside, but mudslide risks remain ... Oregon looks to go back to running own health insurance exchange ... Central Point teacher pleads not guilty to sex abuse ... OUR VIEW Our View: School district deals with growing pains Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Medford schools are experiencing growing pains, and the potential solution — moving sixth-graders into middle school — would likely bring a different pain, as parents and administrators deal with big changes both to the schools and their attendance boundaries. The plan, still in its early stages and without a fixed implementation date, would solve the space problem but create its own storm of issues as it moves forward. District officials will hold the second of two meetings to hear public comments at 6:30 tonight in the Large Group Instruction Room at McLoughlin Middle School. The first meeting was Wednesday night at Hedrick. The numbers are clear: Medford's elementary schools are reaching capacity. One way to relieve that pressure would be moving sixth-graders to middle school, which is common in many districts. There are differing opinions, with some saying sixth-graders are too young for the move while others say it makes more sense academically and socially to group sixth-graders with the two grades above them rather than with the six grades below. Medford's two middle schools could each absorb about 300 more students, but there are 1,000 sixth-graders in the district. That means making the middle schools grades 6-8 would require either building a third middle school — something that has been in the district's long-term plans for some time — or renovating the former South Medford High School, which now houses district administrative offices and Central Medford High School. Leaving sixth-graders where they are would require building at least one more elementary school and perhaps more than one long-term. District leaders say they want to make the decision based on what's best for students academically, not for space reasons. That's the right approach. If student achievement can be improved along with shifting students, so much the better. Regardless of the final decision, the district will be faced with shifting school attendance boundaries. Wherever a new middle school is created, it will likely draw students from both existing middle schools. Likewise, a new elementary school or schools would require boundary adjustments. No matter what happens, educators and parents will be on the right track if they keep the focus on what's best for students and their education. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501