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CLEAR Temp: 27 °F Wind: S at 4 mph Monday, February 10, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate 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 Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 30, 2003 South Medford High School students, from left, Austin Parish, David McKey and Corey Perry say they had mixed reactions to the faulute of Measure 28. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Schools mourn 28’s defeat Districts have until July to slash their budgets unless the Legislature intervenes By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune After seeing voters reject Measure 28 Tuesday night, South Medford High School student Corey Perry said he’s glad to be a senior. Without the temporary income tax hike, Jackson County school districts are expected to cut as many as 10 days from the school year. It’s a decision that could hamper younger students from getting all the high school credits they need to qualify for certain colleges. "It’s not going to short-change me, but it could hurt some of the other kids," said Perry. "It’s just not fair." Teacher who fought to get the measure passed grappled with feelings of frustration on Wednesday. "I am truly disgusted and I’m spent. This was a hard battle," said Eagle Point High School teacher Jody Streetman. "It was definitely on the hearts and souls and on the faces of the people I work with." Central Point Elementary School teacher Pam Torrey said the decision will have a number of impacts on local educators, including lost salary, increased workloads and less classroom time with students. "We’re all feeling pretty much maxed-out," added Torrey. "I just feel like I don’t have nearly enough time with my kids as it is." Students had mixed reactions about the measure’s defeat on Wednesday. "It’s good that we don’t have to pay higher taxes but it’s bad that people will lose money because the government can’t do its job," said South Medford High School junior David McKey. "I don’t like it. I think it was stupid," added senior Chelsea Morris of South. "We’re the future. I think we should be putting a lot more money into schools." Unless the Legislature intervenes, school districts have until July to slash their budgets. Because the deficits are so big, administrators are left with three options to plug the holes — layoffs, major salary cuts or cutting the number of school days, which also represents a pay cut for teachers. Except for Prospect, all districts are looking at cutting the school year short. Earlier this month, the Rogue River school board voted to slash 10 school days — all Mondays — starting Feb. 10 if Measure 28 failed. The decision would include all district employees and save roughly $400,000. Superintendent Charles Hellman estimated that Rogue River has a $770,000 deficit, but added that budget reserves will make up the $370,000 difference. Eagle Point — which already has a shorter-than-average year due to a fire that destroyed one of its schools — could cut up to 10 days. Community meetings were scheduled Wednesday night throughout the district gather input from the community. Others school districts haven’t made an official decision, including Central Point, Phoenix-Talent and Medford. Administrators in those districts are picking apart budgets before making an official decision. Phoenix-Talent and Medford are looking to cut up to 10 days, and four days could be slashed in Central Point. "While we’re doing this, we want time for the Legislature to figure out if they’re going to do anything," Medford Superintendent Steve Wisely said of the delay. "We don’t think it’s a gamble." 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 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S