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47 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, April 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | 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 April 8, 2004 Medford teachers react to layoff plans By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune Teachers donned union T-shirts at their schools in a show of unity after the Medford School District released its proposal to lay off teachers, cut programs and remove class-size limits to help balance its budget. In the opening round of re-opened contract negotiations, the district has proposed laying off 20 high school teachers, 12 middle school teachers and eliminating about half the media specialists who oversee elementary libraries and computers. The district proposal also asks to remove class-size limits and change schedules at high schools and middle schools. The district’s opening proposal, submitted to the teachers’ union March 29, was distributed to teachers Tuesday, Oregon Education Association local representative Jim Bond said, and the T-shirts were worn in response. "Medford has a long tradition of being an active association," Bond said. "We have people who know how to organize and get members united. Sometimes they decide on a flag, if you will, and that’s T-shirts this time." More than displays of teacher unity, however, "quality education is what we’re about," he said. Advertisement "Core curriculum is essential, but quality is more than core," he said. "Quality is also about working conditions. Quality takes time to prepare." Bond wouldn’t discuss the district proposal or a possible response from the union, and several teachers didn’t respond to requests for comment. He said the union will make a proposal "to address budget concerns and protect programs and time" by April 19. Library and music programs, extended days, some prep periods and possibly even some school days are on the list of possible cuts released by the district in October. The district set out three tiers of potential cuts it could make to help fill its budget gap, said Galen Anderson, the district’s business and facilities director. The first tier already has been factored into the 2004-05 budget, but a roughly $4.6 million deficit remains. Further cuts will include items in the teachers’ contracts that run through 2006, so the district had to re-open negotiations. The bargaining team plans additional work in the next two weeks, Bond said. The union is doing a budget analysis and is surveying members to guide its proposal, he said. "The district is asking for help and they have nowhere else to go," Bond said. "We know what the district is looking for and why." The state plans to release an updated revenue forecast today that school officials hope will further narrow the budget gap. The forecast from March left Medford schools with a $4.6 million shortfall next year and the next revenue estimate is set for June 1. Officials hope the new information means the state has good news to share. "The hope is out there that the economy is improving," Anderson said. "I’m hopeful that we will get better numbers." Reach reporter Anita Burke 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 © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times