Document text
Medford cuts teaching jobs to fill shortfall Wisely says attrition will meet need to reduce by $1.8 million By DAMIAN MANN Bracing itself for a projected $1.8 million shortfall next year, the Medford School District plans to reduce 19.5 positions through attrition and has declared a moratorium on filling another 15 vacancies. Superintendent Steve Wisely said these cutbacks will mean 14.5 fewer teaching positions next year. The cuts will also reduce the number of elementary child development specialists from 12 to seven by transferring some to other vacant positions in the district. "We want to accomplish these reductions without anyone losing their job," Wisely said. The district is able to absorb these kinds of cutbacks because of its size - about 1,300 employees - which means every year, a certain number of employees resign or retire. The district doesn't anticipate increasing class sizes or eliminating programs. Wisely blames the fiscal woes on increases in expenses without a sufficient increase in revenues. Medford schools join almost every district in Jackson County in anticipating budget problems next year. Wisely is bracing for further cutbacks if the Legislature reduces Gov. John Kitzhaber's $5.2 million education budget. Just in case, Wisely decided to place a moratorium on filling 15 vacancies. "We are leaving some additional positions vacant until we find out what happens on May 14," said Wisely. The state is expected to release its revenue projections that day, and many analysts, including Wisely, expect revenue could be less than expected. Part of the reason Medford has been able to reduce teachers has been the creation of a sixth-grade pilot program at Hedrick and McLoughlin middle schools. Wisely said the district was able to restructure its classrooms more efficiently, resulting in a reduction of five teaching positions. The district also has noticed a decline in enrollment at the elementary level, a substantial increase in the middle schools and a slight increase at the high schools. This led to the decision to reduce 9.5 positions at the elementary schools. "There are three major factors driving up the costs for the 2001-2002 fiscal year: salaries, employee insurance and utilities," said Wisely. Salaries, tied to the consumer price index, will increase by $2.2 million, insurance will jump $1.8 million and natural gas will rise $296,000. Wisely said the district is still negotiating with teachers over insurance premiums. When the district lost its HMO plan last year, it anticipated an increase in insurance costs of about $1 million. The district received two bids from insurance companies. The Oregon Education Association's was $2.8 million more than last year's costs and AAI, a subsidiary of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, was $1.8 million more. As a result, the district chose AAI, resulting in its insurance rates jumping from $8.3 million to $10.1 million The district forecasts a 2001-2002 budget of $80 million, which represents a 3.3 percent increase over this year. But even this increase was not enough to keep staff at current levels. "We had $800,000 more in expenses than revenues," said Wisely. Add to that the lack of any contingency fund, and the district calculated its shortfall at $1.8 million. At the end of fiscal year 1999, the district had $4 million in carryover funds. This fell to $3 million the next year and to only $1 million in this fiscal year. Medford, like other districts, used up its carryover funds in an effort to maintain programs and to avoid cutbacks in staff. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.