Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Statewide advisory issued against eating bass ... Accused White City polluter returns to court ... Klamath Falls will get air service back by the fall ... Statewide advisory issued against eating bass ... Accused White City polluter returns to court ... Klamath Falls will get air service back by the fall ... OUR VIEW Our View: School cuts hit innovative programs hard Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The Medford School District Budget Committee has a tough job ahead as it struggles to balance a budget battered by rising costs. Superintendent Brian Shumate's proposed budget calls for cuts, which are inevitable, but it's important that the district not abandon new efforts that began last year to improve graduation rates. The district expects to have $3.3 million more next year than it received this year, but $1.2 million less than it spent. When inflation and other increased costs are figured in, the district needs to cut $2.2 million to balance the budget. Shumate's proposal looks primarily at teaching positions, which is unavoidable. Salaries and benefits are the biggest expense in any organization. His plan would eliminate seven teaching positions at the secondary level. But one of those positions is a secondary teacher assigned to the district's innovative 8.5 Transition Program, which identified eighth-graders in need of extra attention and worked with them between eighth grade and ninth grade to make sure they were ready to tackle high school successfully. Another new program slated for cuts is Medford After School, which now serves 230 students at three elementary schools and has many more on waiting lists. The program provides free academic support to at-risk students that previously was available for a fee from Kids Unlimited and the Rogue Valley YMCA. District officials insist they won't abandon these students — the work of the 8.5 program will be handled by other programs at Hedrick and McLoughlin, and outside agencies may be brought back in to provide some after-school enrichment. It's unfortunate that two programs launched with some fanfare last year to address early learning and low graduation rates are among the first casualties when cuts must be made. In fact, the 8.5 program is singled out for praise by backers of an initiative petition to increase state school funding — backers who include a Medford School Board member. Cuts are never pleasant, and there are no easy answers. But the focus must remain on helping as many students as possible to graduate. That means getting to them early, when they first enter the school system and before they get to high school. We recognize there are no easy answers here. But the district should fight to preserve innovative programs that held so much promise so recently. A return to the status quo of a year ago is not acceptable. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 21, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501