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CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: N at 4 mph Monday, April 21, 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 April 10, 2003 Medford may look in-house to replace retiring principals By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Medford’s two middle school principals will step down this summer, and budget woes have district officials considering in-house shuffling rather than new hires. "We may already have the best candidates within the system," Superintendent Steve Wisely said on Wednesday. "We really have a lot of opportunities here we don’t want to pass up." In preparation for major budget cuts, the Medford district has placed a freeze on most new hires. By using in-house replacements at both middle schools, Wisely said two other administrative positions within the district could be frozen or eliminated. After 13 years at the helm, Hedrick Middle School Principal Marjorie Lininger will retire in June. McLoughlin Middle School Principal Craig Barabash was hired two years ago; he recently asked the district for a one-year leave of absence to attend to personal family issues. "It was a very difficult decision that my family has come to. I love my work here and I love the area," said Barabash, who did not elaborate on his reasons. "The district has been supremely supportive and understanding." Wisely said the district has already advertised Lininger’s position, and several applicants have responded. He added that hiring at least one new administrator hasn’t been ruled out. But the district also is eyeing the assistant principals at both the middle and high schools to fill the two positions. There are three assistant principals at each high school, and one at each middle school. The number of assistant principals is determined by a district policy that requires one administrator for every 500 students, Wisely said. By moving an assistant principal, Wisely said additional administrators would be transferred to fill the loss. "There’s no way we would do without a principal and assistant principal at the middle school," he added. District officials likened the process to a game board. "Unfortunately, it’s more than just choosing the best principal," said school board Chairman Mike Moran. "You make one move, there’s a lot of little dominos that will fall." Complicating the issue even further is the popularity and talent of both Barabash and Lininger. "We have two very wonderful people, and they are very suited to their schools," said Wisely. "We’re going to really miss them." "It’s going to be tough to match their skill levels," Moran said. "It’s just a shame to have them both leave. " 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