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Skill center's backers fear school squeeze If voters say no, high schools may need double shifts, they fret By DAMIAN MANN A glut of bond measures could lead to voter rejection of a skill center, supporters fear, creating the possibility of double shifts to alleviate overcrowding at Medford's two high schools. "There are too many people asking for money during the same time frame," said Dave Timmins, plant engineering manager for Eastman Kodak Co. and a member of the Skill Center Advisory Committee. Medford school board member Peggy Penland also expressed concern. "But we have no other option but to try and sell the skill center," she said. The Medford School District plans to ask voters to approve an estimated $70 million bond measure in November 2002. About $40 million would be required for the skill center, $25 million to $30 million for a new middle school and about $2 million to improve the two high schools. If the skill center proposal fails, supporters believe overcrowding at the two high schools could lead to consideration of double shifts, where one group of students comes in the morning, another in the afternoon. They worry voters may be reluctant to pass more bond measures after approving $38.9 million for the library system and $16.5 million for a juvenile justice center in the November election. In addition, Rogue Community College plans to seek a $30 million bond next May, just six months before the Medford district will ask voters to approve its funding request. The skill center bond would add an estimated $143 in annual property taxes on a $150,000 house. A projected economic downturn in Southern Oregon could also prompt voter distaste for bond issues. Despite the odds, supporters vow to convince voters that building a skill center and middle school is necessary to avoid potentially chaotic conditions in the district. Penland said passage of the bond is imperative for local schools, and it's a major reason the school board has asked Superintendent Steve Wisely to postpone his retirement. "I believe it can be done, and I believe Steve Wisely is the key to getting it done," she said. But if the bond measure fails, Timmins has a dire prediction: "We will be facing an overcapacity situation in four years." Timmins remembered having double shifts when he went to the Beaverton School District, forcing one group of students to start at 6:30 a.m. and another group to start at noon. "It was chaos," he said. "I don't like the politics of fear, but this is a reality." Timmins recalled class sizes that were too large and scheduling nightmares that left him falling behind. "If I hadn't taken summer school to catch up, I wouldn't be where I'm at today." North Medford High, nearing its capacity of 2,000 students, has already begun juggling class times and scheduling, requiring some students to begin school at 7 a.m. and teachers to move from classroom to classroom. The middle schools also will soon reach their capacity of about 1,200 students each. "When you are looking at over 2,000 students at the schools, that's when the problems start," said Penland. She said the school board would have to weigh the fiscal impacts of double shifts, or search for some other solution. She believes the district will have to educate the public in the coming months over the importance of passing the bond measure to avoid double shifts, crowded classrooms or other scheduling nightmares. "Either we fight the fight or get the heck out of public education," she said. "It is important that people know that everybody out there is not greedy," she added. "We just have no other options." Another advisory committee member, Bob Hirt of Boise Cascade, said one advantage for the district is that it has been discussing the skill center idea for more than a year. "It's been out in the public," he said. "It's not a new thing." This exposure, he believes, will help sell the idea. But with competition over bond measures, Hirt realizes it could be a tough situation. "I agree that's one of those hurdles we'll have to get over or fall flat on our faces." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.