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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, March 4, 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 December 18, 2002 Medford School Board will provide financial details for a fee By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune A local school watchdog group that in November demanded to know where and how Medford school district funds were being spent will get some answers Jan. 15. But those details could end up costing Medford School Watch up to $3,000. "That’s in the interest of the patrons of the district," Medford School Board Chair Mike Moran said of the fee. "We have to balance the volume of their request with the need to conduct district business." School district officials on Friday announced they would charge Medford School Watch between $1,740 to $2,970 for the eight requests, along with up to $125 for photocopies. The district is charging 25 cents per copy and $30 each hour school employees spend working on the requests. The district will not charge for the first 60 minutes of research spent on each request. District officials estimate some requests will take less than an hour while others will require up to 36 hours of research. Medford School Watch Chairwoman Loretta Francis requested the wide range of information from the Medford School Board during a regular meeting Nov. 18. During the board’s Dec. 3 meeting attorney Bill Francis, Loretta’s husband, entered into an agreement with administrators that the information would be made available on Jan. 15. That decision allows the Medford School Board time to review the findings, Superintendent Steve Wisely added. Attempts to contact Loretta Francis on Monday were unsuccessful. However, on Friday Francis said she wants to know why the district took so long to process the group’s requests and why the school board should read over the information first. "Why would they have to review it? This is just stuff they should know," Francis said. "The fact that the district hasn’t done so raises some eyebrows." In a Medford School Watch e-mail sent to members on Friday, Francis indicated that information from her requests would be forwarded to the state attorney general for further review. Medford School Watch’s request were made days after Francis paid for a quarter-page advertisement in the Mail Tribune that blasted district officials and encouraged community members to demand answers about alleged textbook shortages, excess administrative spending and overcrowding. District officials have said Francis’ actions are motivated by past issues she had with the Medford district that were personal in nature. In turn, Francis said school officials are attempting to discredit her and vows that her motives are sincere. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Request includes remodeling, benefits, office furnishings The following information was requested by Chairwoman Loretta Francis on behalf of the Medford School Watch: Expenditures for remodel of McLoughlin Middle School through bond revenues. Account of annuity benefits (403b) paid to or for Superintendent Steve Wisely. National School Board Association conference expenses for Wisely and administrative assistant Sandra Heath. Expenditures for office furnishings for Kathy McCollum, director of elementary education. Names of school facilities and all administrators involved in the employment of Charlotte Wisely (Abraham Lincoln, media specialist), Michelle Wisely (Kennedy Elementary, education media) and Christopher Wisely (superintendent’s office). Copies of salary schedules for board of directors and superintendent. Medicaid revenue and resulting increase of funding to special education. 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