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Ashland schools tighten belts By DAMIAN MANN ASHLAND � With cash reserves depleted and enrollment declining, the Ashland School District plans to reduce staff to save an estimated $200,000 to $400,000 in next year�s budget. This is part of a long-term fiscal belt-tightening in the district, which anticipates enrollment decreases in at least the next five years because of housing prices that are beyond the financial reach of many families. District officials hope to avoid issuing layoff notices, allowing attrition to reduce the number of teachers, special education instructors and assistants. Enrollment has declined by 46 students, which translates into roughly $230,000 less in school funding. The district also has 25 fewer special education students than expected this year, a revenue loss of roughly $250,000. Just two years ago, the district had $2 million in cash reserves; but this fiscal year there is only $300,000 left, said business manager Loren Luman. With an overall budget of $20 million, the district would like to have minimum reserves of about 3 percent, or $600,000, he said. As he calculates next year�s budget, Luman said, "We don�t have anything any longer." For this district and others facing financial problems in Jackson County, a lot will depend on what the Legislature does with Gov. John Kitzhaber�s $5.2 billion budget plan that proposes a funding boost for kindergarten through 12th grade. Superintendent Juli Di Chiro said that despite the current situation, she remains optimistic. "If we could get the governor�s budget for K-12, then we�d be doing pretty well." Even if the budget survives intact, Di Chiro said, "We do have a situation where we are somewhat overstaffed." Depending on which budget is adopted by the Legislature, Di Chiro anticipates the district needs to save $200,000 to $400,000. At Hellman Elementary School, the district had projected last year an enrollment of 240 students, but received only 223. That difference represents one teaching position � about $60,000 � said Di Chiro. Bellevue Elementary School also came in under projections, Di Chiro said. Both schools could lose one teaching position next year through attrition, she said. "There will be no layoffs." Reductions also could be made in special education staff and other assistants, Di Chiro said. Ashland schools would be in worse shape if they didn�t receive an additional $1.5 million annually in a property tax levy approved by voters, Di Chiro said. She is concerned about the Phoenix-Talent School District�s proposal to ban out-of-district transfers. Ashland receives 80 students from this district, so the potential loss would result in about a $400,000 decline in income. But Ashland�s loss would be Phoenix-Talent�s gain, since this district is suffering from similar financial problems that would be improved by an 80-student increase in enrollment. "We are going to support whatever their board decides to do," Di Chiro said. A recent report by the Confederation of School Administrators (COSA) recommended the district weigh the value of keeping open five elementary schools. Ashland has chosen to have smaller elementary schools than most throughout the state. Asked if the district is considering closing one of the schools, she said, "It�s not anything we�re working on right now." Only if Hellman Elementary�s enrollment drops below 200 would the district consider its possible closure, she said. Even though Ashland is looking at reducing staff, the recent report from COSA recommended adding an administrator at the district level. Frank McNamara, director of the Oregon Schools Services Bureau for COSA, said, "We recommended some relief for the superintendent who is stretched too thin." But McNamara admitted adding another administrator during the current financial situation would be "politically difficult." Judith Barmack, a Portland-based demographer hired by Ashland schools, said the city has an increasing number of two-person households. "Ashland has empty-nesters buying single family homes." She anticipates births will pick up eventually, possibly in five years but "probably in eight to 10 years," she said. 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.