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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Ds, Rs go after the new kid on the block ... It's legal now: Hundreds flock to free pot giveaways ... Ten things you should know about Oregon's new pot law ... Our View: Ds, Rs go after the new kid on the block ... It's legal now: Hundreds flock to free pot giveaways ... Ten things you should know about Oregon's new pot law ... EDUCATION Charter middle school in Medford surpasses fundraising goal Medford School District gives approval Tuesday Comment By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 5:38 PM By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 5:38 PM » Social News A last-minute anonymous loan gave a proposed charter middle school the cash it needed to be able to open by fall. The Valley School of Southern Oregon needed at least $100,000 in its bank account by Wednesday before the Medford School Board would give its approval. The board sent the proof of deposits to Chief Financial Officer Brad Earl Tuesday morning and that afternoon received Medford's letter of approval as required by state law. "Medford seems really happy," said Valley School Board member Amy Maukonen. "They sent some nice words of encouragement in the letter. I truly believe that as long as this is happening, they want it to go right. Which is good." Last week, Valley School was $35,000 short of the $100,000 required by the Medford district to cover its start-up costs. It had $65,000 in the bank and a guarantor letter from the Walton Family Foundation for another $50,000, but its agreement with Medford required the total amount to be on hand. Maukonen said an anonymous Medford family over the weekend offered the $35,000 as a long-term loan. In addition, the Walton foundation deposited the full amount promised, and the school raised another $3,000 from a Friday music event and private donations. The grand total of its fundraising reached $153,000. The Valley School will be housed in a former restaurant in Cobblestone Village and will employ a Montessori approach, which involves hands-on and project-based learning. It also will emphasize science, technology, education and math curricula (also known as STEM), which has raised concerns from the community about preference for high-achieving students in its enrollment process.  The Valley School Board said it intends to be available to all students. Students and parents submit intent-to-enroll forms, which are available on the school's website . Enrollment for this fall is being decided on a first-come, first-served basis, but the board intends to use a lottery system in future years. "We want this school to be for anybody," Maukonen said. Contact reporting intern Kaylee Tornay at 5417764368 or [email protected]. By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 5:38 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501