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CLOUDY Temp: 39 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, April 26, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate 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 Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 15, 2003 Medford school deficit grows to $4 million By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune If voters reject Measure 28, the Medford School District will have less than five months to slash $4 million from its budget. "Cutting back on pencils and paperclips isn’t going to do it," said Medford School Board Chairman Mike Moran during a meeting Tuesday night. "We’ve got some very tough decisions." Medford school officials originally expected a $2.5 million deficit based on a forecast of state revenues. But on Tuesday, business director Galen Anderson told the board the hole had grown by more than $1.5 million. Although the board is investigating various ways to plug the gap, Anderson said the district’s only feasible options include laying off employees, cutting the school year or reducing salaries. "You just don’t have any choice,"Anderson said. Salaries make up 85 percent of Medford’s $82.5 million general operating budget, he said. Teachers represent 70.5 percent of the district’s employees, and administrators make up 9 percent. The remainder includes staff such as janitors and secretaries. School administrators said they could generate $2.5 million by cutting 10 days from the school year. The average daily payroll for the Medford district is $250,000. During a study session before the regular meeting, school board members agreed that shortening the school year would be their last choice. All employees, including administrators, would be affected if days were cut. "That’s really putting it on the teachers," said board member Joe Frodsham. "I still see this as a last resort." Board member Jack Day proposed that the board ask all district employees to come to work as usual on cut school days, even if they weren’t being paid. "I realize employees of the district are getting the brunt of this," Day said. "The good news is the kids are not getting the shaft (if district employees agree)." During the meeting, Medford resident Rob Larson asked the board if parents could be involved before days are slashed. All board members agreed that at the very least, parents should be included in the discussion as well as teachers. "It’s nice to know what the superintendents would do, what the union would do, but what do parents think?" asked Frodsham. Although a shortened school year or layoffs are likely, school board officials hope to soften the blow by using other district resources. In 2000-01 and 2001-02, the school district cut more than $4.2 million from its operating budget through layoffs, frozen positions and overall spending reductions. Belt-tightening created a cash carry-over of $500,000 in the 2001-02 fiscal year that can be used to plug part of the hole if the January measure fails. In addition, many board members on Tuesday said they would like to apply money from the district’s contingency fund toward the deficit. Medford has nearly $1 million in the fund earmarked for unanticipated needs, said Anderson. "It’s our rainy-day fund and unfortunately, it’s really raining hard," added board member Lois Thorson. However, Anderson noted that if the contingency fund is emptied the district could be left high and dry if a heating system fails or a building is damaged in a storm. Superintendent Steve Wisely said the district could save nearly $500,000 this year through a number of cost-cutting measures already in place. School officials have cut back on overtime and no longer use substitutes when janitors or secretaries are absent. Spending has been frozen, along with vacant positions. Schools are conserving electricity, and district employees are encouraged to cut back on doctor visits except in emergencies. 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