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 Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Tuesday Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills Southern Oregon Speedway race track lease veers off course Since You Asked: Medford casino meeting is open to all Harry & David helps grow revenue for 1-800-Flowers Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, Feb. 3 Woman sentenced for harboring Jackson County Jail escapee Downtown Grounds burglarized White City house fire displaces couple Emergency Services, Feb. 2 Politics and Elections Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Oregon Legislature convenes, session starts Feb. 12 Education SOU board names officers, committees SOU students targeted in Drive Less campaign Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Medford reconsiders full-day kindergarten Environment Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures Mt. Ashland Ski Area crew dips to five Public sounds off on gas pipeline Mt. Ashland ski area announces layoffs State News Oregon Democrats move fast as legislative session begins Measles shots fall in Oregon, worrying health official Independent Party of Oregon says it's now a "major" party 'Seven Wonders' ads pay off, Oregon park officials say Sales call leads to rescue of beaten woman Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Nordica Mae Irvin William (Bill) Earl Shewman III A Celebration of Life for Karen Weaver Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Weisner hits milestone in OSU win Virginia rebounds from lone setback Pelicans end Hawks' streak at 19 wins Local Events Result / Standings Varsity 541 College Sports Weisner hits milestone in OSU win Virginia rebounds from lone setback Beavers turn focus to UCLA Ducks have some work to do Kennedy earns 200th win as Raiders roll Pro Sports Pelicans end Hawks' streak at 19 wins Belichick rocks as greatest NFL coach of era Edelman cleared to play after concussion test Hall of Famer Sapp arrested, loses job Browns' Manziel enters treatment Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Harry & David helps grow revenue for 1-800-Flowers Ride & Drive: The 2015 BMW M4 Silvio Calabi: Jeep’s Patriot earns respect Blog: Aussies send Erickson's Elvis into retirement Homes for the long haul Real Estate News Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: Home loan rates continue to fall, applications soar Jackson County real estate market headed back to normal People In Business People in Business Transportation The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Medford airport traffic flies to new heights Agriculture Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote Letters to the Editor, Feb. 3 Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way Letters to the Editor, Feb. 2 Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense Editorials Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense Other Views: Nothing to see here; move along Our View: Improving graduation rates isn't easy Our View: Revving up the gas tax debate Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 3 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 2 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 1 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 30 Letters to the Editor, Jan. 29 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Guest Opinion: Market forces work against LNG project's success Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose gas pipeline A fair shot for all: addressing our low-wage crisis Lifestyle Latest stories Shayne Looper: More wedding equals less marriage? Dr. Elaine Heffner: What’s in a name? Food for Thought: Sweet potatoes are a versatile vegetable Blog: HAIKU MONDAY: On Monday Mourning and Worst Play Ever Gail Ciampa: Spinach contains an alphabet of vitamins Food Food for Thought: Sweet potatoes are a versatile vegetable Gail Ciampa: Spinach contains an alphabet of vitamins Kitchen Call: Don’t wait to get your game-day wings Community blog: Raise a cup of bone broth to better health Good to the Bone Home and Garden Home Help: 3 upgrades sure to turn kitchen time into quality time Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Buying a home? Consider its walkability Home Help: 5 ways to revamp your outdoor living space this year Paint a room or two in a weekend Health Community blog: Five "Must Haves" Health Watch: Don’t let your fitness resolutions fizzle out Community blog: Toxic Love: How to Identify an Abusive Relationship Community blog: A Higher Walk To Better Health HealthStyle: Are you in an unhealthy relationship? Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Old stained-glass windows face threats Milestones and Achievements 50 years and counting: Bulebar Wedding: Lindsey-Maria Rios New arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Eric Johnson and Mike Stern at The Rogue Theatre Alcyon Massive and Frankie Hernandez play acoustic at Howiee's Theater Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Music Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Jesse Cook plays the Craterian Theater Shybo Torres plays South Stage Cellars Terrapin Flyer plays Historic Ashland Armory Trio Valtorna plays SOU Music Hall Community Events Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label A look at the life and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. Ty Barnett and Ian Harris are 'Divided' Dining Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Patty Groth's Morning Glory is still a delight Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills ... Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote ... Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way ... Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills ... Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote ... Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way ... Teachers to hear tentative agreement details Earliest union could vote on deal is Thursday; classes resume Monday in Medford Medford teachers will start moving back into their classrooms this afternoon and make preparations for classes to resume Monday morning — and that's just fine with Dominik Torres, a 17-year-old senior at South Medford High School. Comment By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Feb. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Sam Wheeler Posted Feb. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News Medford teachers will start moving back into their classrooms this afternoon and make preparations for classes to resume Monday morning — and that's just fine with Dominik Torres, a 17-year-old senior at South Medford High School. "I am glad I am going to have my classes back. I need those credits," Torres said Saturday. Teachers will work from 1 to 5 p.m. today, according to school officials. They'll start to reorganize their classrooms, and they'll put their lesson plans in order so they can hit the ground running Monday. Then at 5:30 p.m., teachers will meet with union officials to hear the details of an agreement hammered out Friday. Teachers will have at least four days to digest the plan before they will vote to ratify it, but in the meantime, life will start returning to normal. "I have stuff that I want to set up (today), but for me I am going to go back in and knock the lesson planning out of the park," said Steve Johnson, a teacher at South Medford High School. "My focus is to have the learning be amazing. I think teachers will appreciate their students more and I think students will appreciate their teachers more." During the 11-day strike, some schools were shuttered and students were assigned to other campuses for half-day schedules and dumbed-down class selections. Bus routes and after-school programs were canceled, and on many days schools were surrounded by picketing teachers and security guards. More than 500 teachers went on strike Feb. 6, and the district hired more than 165 substitute teachers to continue classes for 12,100 students. During the strike, enrollment district-wide ranged from a high of 68 percent on the first day to a low of 44 percent on Friday, according to school reports. Torres said he chose to attend classes because the alternative was too dull. "It was either go to school or we could do nothing all day — and nothing got boring," he said. Torres said most of his teachers left thorough lesson plans and packets for students to work through, but his regular class schedule was thrown out during the strike. "I am pretty happy it's going to be back to normal," said Matt Oakes, a 17-year-old senior at South Medford. Oakes said the strike "ended up punishing students more than anyone. They should have held it during summer, so it didn't affect school." Medford School Board member Sally Killen said there is no plan for extra school days to be added this year in order to make up for the three days missed during the strike. Griffin Creek Elementary School special education teacher Sarah Dalke said she isn't looking forward to hauling all of her classroom materials back to school, but she's happy to be back with her students. "I am definitely excited to get back to the kids. I am not excited to set up my room again ... it's not enough time at all," she said. "We will pick up right were we left off ... and we will get done what we can get done." Johnson said he is confident that whatever was agreed upon will be fair for teachers, but he is anxious to hear the details of the contract. "I think a lot of teachers are full of anticipation to see the specifics," said Johnson, who is working his second full year as a teacher in the Medford School District. Thursday is the earliest day that union members would be able to vote on whether to ratify the contract, said Medford Education Association Vice President Dan Jones. Details of the agreement will not be available to the public until after union members and the school board have had the opportunity to review it, he added. Killen said the school board will approve the contract if it is ratified by the union. "It feels good to be done, but I think there are still a lot of hard feelings," said Dalke, who has worked in the district for 10 years. "I think it's going to take a long time for people to get back into things and trust the district again." Johnson said his gut reaction is to feel resentment toward the district, but he doesn't plan to follow his gut. "Hopefully we're above that," he said. "I think it will be hard not to let that influence me ... I think it will take time, but I think a lot of teachers are ready to forgive." "I think that it's going to take time to heal," agreed Killen, who was a part of the district's bargaining team. "I am really grateful that we have a chance to start the healing process." Killen said the agreement signed Friday night is not ideal for either side. "I would say that neither side loves this contract, but it's a doable contract and it allows the district to approach a more healthy financial future. A good contract is one that neither side loves." Reach reporter Sam Wheeler at 541-776-4471 or [email protected] Follow him at www.twitter.com/swhlr. By Sam Wheeler MailTribune.com By Sam Wheeler Posted Feb. 23, 2014 @ 2:00 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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 2015 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