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38 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, April 15, 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 March 31, 2004 Shortfall dogs teacher negotiations Medford school officials say any layoffs depend on contract negotiations and whether school days will be cut By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Medford school officials say a smaller-than-expected shortfall is still big enough to play a major role in teacher negotiations that began this week. "If we’re going to get $4.5 million in reductions, we will have to lay people off," said Galen Anderson, Medford schools business manager. But how many will depend on negotiations over teachers’ contracted 3 percent salary increase and whether days will be cut from the school year. For each day eliminated, the district saves $250,000 in salaries. The district had anticipated a $7.6 million shortfall, but improving economic conditions now put the amount at $4.5 million, according to state education officials. Anderson said this year’s operating budget is $79.5 million, but that would drop to $75 million with the shortfall. The last time the district had a similar budget was in 1999- 2000. Advertisement "Even though the revenue picture is better, these are still pretty severe reductions that we have to make," he said. Anderson understands that teachers must be worried about the negotiations, but said the district has a very limited number of ways it can deal with the shortfall. "It’s not like we’re punishing anyone," he said. Programs and positions scheduled for reduction or elimination include secondary music, elementary music, counselors, child development specialists, school librarians, principals and administrative staff. The district wants to discuss elimination of support staff who help teachers in the classroom. Anderson said the district also will have to enter into negotiations with the classified union, which represents support staff. District officials laid out the gloomy budget prospects Monday before the Oregon Education Association, which represents more than 600 teachers in Medford schools. Jim Bond, an OEA representative, said teachers gave up 5 percent of their salaries last year because of days cut from the school year, and agreed to forego 2 percent of their contracted 3 percent salary increase this year to help with the budget problems. He wouldn’t discuss ongoing negotiations, but did say that schools have already been hurt by budget cutbacks. "Class sizes are getting dangerously high, making it difficult to maintain quality education," he said. Medford School Board member Tricia Prendergast said it was too early to say what kind of effect an improved shortfall would have on negotiations. "It certainly gives it a little more positive light," said Prendergast. She said the district hasn’t prioritized how it will make the cuts if budget projections continue to improve. School officials are hoping another budget forecast in June will show an even better revenue picture than the March forecast. The district will prepare its 2004-05 budget by June and will have another meeting with the teachers’ union on April 13. 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