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M/CLOUDY Temp: 70 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, October 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection 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 Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 17, 2003 District chips out funds for teachers Medford cuts bits and pieces to pay for 17 new hires By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune To pay for 17 new teachers, the Medford School District will cut back on everything from the chalk supply to janitors and textbooks. School officials will even drain a $280,000 reserve fund created three years ago by former Superintendent Steve Wisely. "I think this sends a message to the community that we’ve planted our flag in the classroom," Business Director Galen Anderson said Tuesday. "We’re going to cut everything we can that’s not going to jeopardize the education of kids." As part of an overall $6 million reduction forced by declining state revenue, the school district in June cut 33.5 teaching positions. Advertisement But in September, school enrollment was larger than anticipated and dozens of classrooms were crowded, specifically at the elementary level. The district responded by hiring six middle school teachers, 11 elementary teachers, two campus monitors and one janitor. As a result, the middle schools were able to offer more electives, such as music and band. At the elementary level, approximately 741 students were shuffled into new classrooms to ease overcrowding, noted Elementary Education Director Kathy McCollum. The newly hired staff cost the district more than $1.13 million. Although the state has promised school districts a higher level of funding, local officials opted to cut the $1.3 million from the budget rather than rely on promises. Anderson noted that the biggest cut came by reducing the district’s supply and material fund by 20 percent across the board. The decision will save the district an estimated $284,432. Items in that category range from elementary school library books and chalk to paper, pens and white-out used at the district office. Board member Tricia Prendergast noted that cutting the supply fund took the cooperation of all school employees, from teachers to principals to district administrators. "I’m extremely proud," she said. "This district is pulling together as a unit, as a team, and it’s all for the good of kids." In addition, Anderson said the district will cut $15,400 by eliminating level tests. Level tests are an inter-district diagnostic tool that teachers use to determine where a student ranks in his or her grade level. Other reductions include: one secretary position ($40,000); campus monitor ($3,500); child development specialist ($36,000); part of the textbook fund ($40,000); and the salary and benefits for a data processing position ($102,686). All told, more than $940,000 has been eliminated to date to pay for the newly hired teachers. Anderson said he and staff members will continue to review the budget line-item by line-item, and anticipates that up to $1.5 million will be slashed by the time he’s finished. Other items still facing scrutiny include transportation, purchased services and district travel. "This is a work in progress," he noted. "It’s going to continue throughout the year." In addition, Personnel Director Dan Zaklan said the district has budgeted $237,000 to hire substitutes when staff such as janitors, cooks or secretaries are absent. "Our goal is to save half of that," Zaklan said, and added substitutes will only be used absolutely necessary. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, 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