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SUNNY Temp: 60 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, August 28, 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 August 5, 2003 Medford schools shift boundaries By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Overcrowding has prompted the Medford School District to shift its boundary lines, but officials say those changes won’t impact student attendance in 2003-04. In addition, parents won’t be faced with any surprises when they go to register their children beginning next week, school board Chairman Mike Moran said Monday. "This is one of the top three hot-button issues that you can ever deal with as a school board member," said Moran. "In light of that, we’re going to take it very slow." In June, school administrators announced plans to re-examine the district’s boundaries. Boundary lines determine what schools students will attend based on where they live. Advertisement School officials had hoped to build a third middle school in 2003 and transfer all sixth-graders out of elementary schools, relieving overcrowding throughout the district. But voters last year rejected a bond levy that would have paid for the new school. In addition, several new housing developments are under way that most likely will impact enrollment at more than eight elementary schools. Although the growth is expected to affect already overcrowded classrooms this year, officials agreed to table the boundary change issue until after September so parents could actively participate in the process. The school board plans to hold a study session sometime in September and schedule a series of open houses. Registration for the 2003-04 school year begins next week. There are no major changes to the process this year, said administrative assistant Sandy Heath. School starts Sept. 2. South Medford High School — New students must first stop by the high school, 815 Oakdale Ave., and pick up a registration packet. Registration for returning students will take place Aug. 18-22. Times and dates are determined by grade level and last name. For more information, call 842-3680 Monday through Thursday. North Medford High School — New students must register on Aug. 12 or Aug. 21. Returning students will register Aug. 13-21. Times and dates are determined by grade level and last name. For more information, call 842-3670 Monday through Friday. Hedrick Middle School — Students who haven’t pre-registered must bring a parent or guardian on Aug. 18 to register and pay a $15 damage deposit. Sixth-graders will register Aug. 19, seventh-graders Aug. 20 and eighth-graders Aug. 21. Times are determined by students’ last names. For more information, call 842-3700. McLoughlin Middle School — Sixth grade-student orientation will take place Aug. 19, followed by seventh-grade Aug. 20 and eighth-grade Aug. 21. Students who have yet to pay a $15 deposit must do so. For more information, call 842-3720. Elementary schools — Students who are returning to the same elementary school they attended in 2002-03 will receive all registration material on the first day of class. New or transfer students must register at their neighborhood school between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. beginning Aug. 12. All kindergarten and first grade students must have proof of birth date when registering. For information, contact your neighborhood elementary school. New to Oregon — All students entering Oregon schools for the first time must provide proof of immunization or complete an exemption form. District poised to ask for new bond Medford voters last year turned down a $79 million bond levy that would have built a new middle school and high school skills center, and administrators say they’ll likely resurrect the measure in November 2004. The Medford School Board is expected to begin discussing the issue later this month, board chairman Mike Moran said Monday. "I don’t think you can start too soon," he said. "We need to get out and start hearing from people." Earlier this year, the school board discussed several ways to approach a bond levy in 2004, including holding a series of open houses, forming focus groups, using a different marketing strategy and targeting groups such as Parent Teacher Organizations. Moran said the district has several options — asking voters for the same package, dropping the skills center or seeking two separate levies for the projects 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