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CLOUDY Temp: 58 °F Wind: WNW at 6 mph Saturday, June 21, 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 June 11, 2002 Ashland ditches fast action on school closing By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — A fast-track approach to closing an elementary school was abandoned Monday by the Ashland School District board of directors. Schools committee passes budget ASHLAND — Ashland School District’s budget committee Monday recommended the school board adopt a $20.5 million dollar budget for fiscal year 2002-2003. The committee recognized that another $1.5 million may need to be cut later. The reduction will be needed if the Oregon Legislature does not approve funding for what would come if voters had approved Measure 13 in May. The committee did not spell out specifics of the cuts. "Until we know the depth, it makes it difficult to formalize the plan," said Ashland School District Superintendent Juli Di Chiro. "We don’t know what our realities are." At a public school closure meeting held last week, district officials passed out information showing the $1.5 million made up by $600,000 in new revenues, $600,000 in salary reductions and $300,0000 in either additional layoffs or by closure of one elementary school. The revenues include $115,000 from a partnership with the city of Ashland to maintain school grounds, $300,000 from Ashland School Foundation fund-raising and $180,000 in federal grants. The $20.5 million budget is a $1.9 million reduction from the current year because of a reduction in state support to schools. The cuts will result in the loss of 27 teaching positions and seven support positions. The board will vote on the budget June 25. Board members voted 4-1 to go back to a previous timeline that calls for a board decision in December. Chuck Keil opposed the motion. An emotional public session that drew 150 people last week may have prompted the change. "Many people in the audience were beginning to understand that the board does need to consider a school closure, but they were very concerned about speeding up the timeline," said Superintendent Juli Di Chiro. She recommended returning to the original timeline. School board members on May 29 directed an 11-member school closure committee to recommend, by June 25, an elementary school to close. Uncertainties about state funding for schools prompted the fast-track approach. Estimates of the savings have ranged from $250,000 to $300,000. School Board chairperson Terry Littleton had voted against the motion for the fast track. "We have an opportunity to reassure people that we are going to give this a thoughtful, thoughtful look," Littleton said. "It’s clear to me we will not have significant data." Current district demographics and projections for the next five years won’t be available until September. Board member Kent Provost, who is facilitating the committee’s work, urged return to the original timeline. He noted that the district staff would need time to collect data that committee members can’t obtain. "I pressed this to the forefront, (but) ... it is reaching a point of being counterproductive," said board member John Maurer. "I feel comfortable that we need to back off for the good of the community and do this in a timely fashion." "This is not something that any of us want to do, but I disagree that changing the timeline is premature," said board member Keil. "If we are not prepared to close a school at that time, it will mean that many more staff members losing their jobs. I believe it’s the best thing to be ready to close a school in September." Five audience members who spoke supported slowing the process. "Whatever financial saving there may be next year, it would tear the community apart," said Craig Gorson. Backing off from the fast track would help solidify support for schools, he said. New timelines include setting criteria in June, collection of data in July and August, review of data in September, community forums during October, and debate and a recommendation by the committee during November. The board would decide which school to close in December. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, 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