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Rogue River mayor quits school board New blood needed, Handbury says By VICKI GUARINO ROGUE RIVER -- After 10 years on the Rogue River School Board, Dick Handbury has decided the time has come to resign. Although his resignation was just accepted on Tuesday, he said he had been planning to leave in July, when his term as board chairman had ended. Back then, the district was embroiled in labor negotiations with teachers, and Handbury said he felt obligated to stay. But as the months have gone by and the district has remained at odds with teachers over wages, Handbury decided that a newcomer might be better able to resolve the issue. "I felt I had already made up my mind, that it was time to go," Handbury said Wednesday. "I'm wishing everybody good luck. "I hope they get a settlement. I'm optimistic. Maybe getting a new person with some new ideas in there would help." A late-night mediation session last month failed to resolve key salary issues in the teacher contracts. Private talks are continuing, and another mediation session is set for early January. Teachers seek a 2.5 percent across-the-board raise; the district want to limit raises to teachers at specific levels of experience and education. Initially, the board sought a wage freeze, saying the district cannot afford to spend more. "I hate to see the situation the way it is, but the funding is running down," Handbury said. The district also has coped with some serious building needs. Voters have turned down bond measures that would repair and replace aging facilities. A portion of Rogue River Middle School has been condemned, Handbury noted, and students are eating lunch in the gym. Lunches are brought in from nearby Rogue River Elementary School. Despite the district's problems, Handbury, 73, is somewhat reluctant to give up the board position. His children and grandchildren attended Rogue River schools, and he has strong ties to the district. But he has other ties to the community as well, and all combined they have kept Handbury too busy. Handbury was re-elected this fall to his second two-year term as Rogue River mayor, and is a member of the local fire board. He intends to continue in both those posts. His board position would have expired in 2001. Instead, it will be one of three board positions on the March ballot. Election winners will take office in July. In the interim, the board intends to fill Handbury's position by appointment. Applications are available in the district office and all four district schools. Applicants must have lived in the district for at least a year and be registered to vote. Deadline for filing is Jan. 6. The board plans to make a decision at its Jan. 12 meeting. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA