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46 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, December 6, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 24, 2003 Medford schools find enrollment drop overstated By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Fears of falling enrollment in the Medford School District were eased by new statistics last week, officials said. Updated calculations showed that the district’s enrollment is down about 150 students from last year — not 300 as previously believed. That means an anticipated enrollment-related funding loss of $1.5 million may be only about half that, Superintendent Dick Gregory said. But by the time the district accounts for revised calculations for revenue from special education students, teen parents and others, the expected cuts will remain at least the same, he said. "We’re still looking at $1.5 million less in revenue," Gregory said. Advertisement That $1.5 million contributes to $2.4 million in announced cuts set to take place by February. Those cuts are necessary to balance the district’s $79 million general fund budget, officials have said. They anticipate as much as $9.2 million in total cuts — though probably closer to $8 million — if a Legislature-approved income tax surcharge is overturned by voters. The enrollment revision is a rare bit of good news, Gregory acknowledged. At the end of October, statistics indicated the district was down about 300 students. That figure, however, was taken earlier than in previous years because of an an early school start. By mid-November, enrollment losses had slowed and additions had jumped for a total of about 12,900 students. Overall, 1,416 students left the Medford district between Aug. 1 and Nov. 14, according to latest district figures. That was offset by an influx of fewer than 1,300 students, Gregory said. Of students who left the district, nearly 750 went to schools in other local, state or out-of-state districts. Nearly 440 were unaccounted for. Of the remaining students who left, 92 went to private schools and 24 went to home-school arrangements. Another 43 were enrolled in home tutoring and some 73 were likely dropouts. The shift to private schools and home-schooling troubles Gregory. It’s up slightly from last year, he said. "It begins to bother me when I see the numbers, even though they’re not real large numbers," he said. "Some moms and dads are saying there doesn’t appear to be any stability in the public school." Apparent gains in enrollment likely will be offset by losses in revenue in other areas, Gregory said. For example, the district will no longer be able to collect double revenue for students who are teen parents and also special education students. Calculations for students who are classified as neglected or living in poverty are still based on the 1990 census, and may not reflect the district’s actual number, officials said. As a result, the district expects to receive about $1.5 million less than previously expected in weighted funding awarded for special categories of students, Gregory said. "We’re basically still in a world of hurt," he said. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] 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 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder 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