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42 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | 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 January 21, 2004 Pilot project to continue By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A divided Medford School Board decided Tuesday night to continue the sixth-grade pilot project at Hedrick and McLoughlin middle schools. The board, on a 4-3 vote, decided to keep the program going, partially because students that had enrolled in the project had higher grade point averages in grades 7 and 8 than their peers. Elementary principals had privately voted 9-5 against continuing the program, which began three years ago and is only available to about a quarter of the 992 sixth-graders. The principals, who voiced support for most aspects of the project, said that it has stripped some of the more mature children from their classes. Lone Pine Principal said this has been a "sore point" with some teachers. Advertisement In addition, elementary schools have seen a decline in enrollment, forcing combination classes, where both fifth- and sixth-graders are taught together. The program was started in anticipation that a new middle school would be built, but voters scuttled this idea when they rejected a bond measure in 2002. A district analysis shows students that had enrolled in the project received a higher grade point average in grades 7 and 8 than the average student. School board member Cynthia Wright thought the district should keep the program as an option for some of its student. "This is taking care of the needs of various students," she said. Board member Joe Frodsham said the savings from shutting down the program — about $160,000 — don’t seem enough justification for ending it. Board member Ed Nicholson said the issue seemed to boil down to not having enough room at the middle schools for the sixth-graders. He said a good case could be made to voters that a new middle school is needed to accommodate the sixth-graders as well as the students in grades 7 and 8. But board member Pat Knudsdon said, "It ought to be an option made available to every sixth-grader." And if it can’t be made available it should be dismantled, she said. Board member Tricia Prendergast, who voted against the project, said she was torn over this issue, but said, "I believe sixth-graders belong in middle school." Some principals indicated that some of the middle school concepts could be incorporated into their sixth- grade classrooms. However, they said this would probably only work at some of the bigger elementary schools, but not as some of the smaller ones like Ruch. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, 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 © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times