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54 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 17, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classifieds Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 16, 2005 Board picks Long to lead district Medford school board uninimously chooses Phil Long, a 20-year employee, to run things Stories by ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune The Medford school board has picked Phil Long, the district’s director of education and curriculum, to be its next superintendent. Officials now will set to work hammering out his contract, board Chairman Mike Moran said. "I look forward to listening and learning and acting with the board and community to revitalize our schools and rejoice in our kids," Long said after the board’s 6-0 vote to offer him a contract. Board member Pat Knudson was absent Tuesday, but sent a letter to the rest of the board voicing her support for Long. Long was selected in a months-long search process that gathered 15 applicants from across the nation and state. Applications were screened by the board and a selection committee that included teachers, administrators, parents, school employees and community members. Both groups ranked Long as their top choice. Advertisement The board interviewed five candidates and named two finalists. One finalist, Suzanne Cusick, of Hillsboro, bowed out to pursue other options last week, prompting a debate about how the search should proceed. The board decided not to weigh other candidates. "At all levels in all groups, one candidate was always on top," board member Joe Frodsham said. "That candidate was Phil Long." Frodsham noted he’s worked with Long for years and seen him take on — and succeed with — many tasks in the district. Long has spent 20 years with the district, starting in 1984 as an itinerant teacher. He was a German teacher, then assistant principal at South Medford High School and has worked at the district office since 1998. Board member Larry Nicholson said through the selection process that he had concerns — as did many in the community — about Long’s decision to homeschool his children, his quiet leadership style and his lack of superintendent experience. As part of the review process, board members talked with community members who had worked with Long. Nicholson said those conversations "convinced me he is the best man for this job. He has high integrity and commitment to this district." Board member Tricia Prendergast said she understood people’s concerns about a homeschooling district administrator. She was slightly taken aback when she first learned of his choice, but quickly found it was not a concern for people who knew him and his dedication to education. "I’m totally convinced he’s committed to the children of this district," she said. Board member Peggy Penland praised the way Long came through last week’s controversy with his head held high. "To be a public figure without even having the job is hard," she said. Long thanked his wife, Lori, and their children for their support, the board for making the search process open to the public and the community for believing that schools and their leadership are important. He also thanked teachers and said other candidates should be honored for their work with kids, too. Ruch school to stay open Ruch Elementary School will remain open for the next school year. Last fall, the Medford school district proposed closing the little hillside school because of tightening district budgets and steeply dropping enrollment. Ruch residents rallied in support of the school, citing its use as a community center. District administrators have discussed the future of the school at great length, Superintendent Kathy McCollum said. "We know budgets will be tight, but because the community has done so much to keep the school open and boost enrollment, we recommend it stay open for the next year," she said. Applause and shouts of "thank you" rang through the South Medford High School cafeteria where the board meets and Ruch school supporters have gathered faithfully at many meetings. McCollum said the district is awaiting the results of a demographic study that will provide more details about districtwide enrollment declines. That report should be finished this spring. Board member Cynthia Wright said she wants district officials and Ruch community members to continue to work to make the rural school more viable so the district can ensure the needs of students everywhere are met. Ruch residents have had community meetings to explore ways to boost enrollment and school revenue. Possible options include adding seventh and eighth grades at the school, creating a homeschool resource center, adding after-school programs, starting a school foundation to gather donations and apply for grants, seeking additional state funding, and planning a campaign to promote the school and the Ruch area. Karen Salant, mother of a Ruch sixth-grader, said the community volunteers want to meet with administrators soon to get direction on which options they should get to work on to have new programs in place for the next school year. "I’m proud of this community," she said. "We’ve done a lot of good groundwork. This spring we’ll have to do some hard stuff and some fun stuff so we have something new in the fall Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers Advertisement s