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SUNNY Temp: 89 °F Wind: NNW at 12 mph Tuesday, June 3, 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 May 30, 2003 Bill lets schools cut days again Most local districts will go to larger classes if necessary Staff and wire reports A bill that would allow Oregon schools and school districts to operate with a shortened calendar for consecutive school years has passed the Senate and now goes to the governor. That’s bittersweet news in local districts that cut school days this year and may have to again in 2003-04. Under current law they could lose state funding as well as the ability to hand out high school diplomas. "I’m glad we’re not going to lose our funding a year later if we cut our days again," said Eagle Point school board chairwoman Yvonne Fletes, where the board cut 10 days of instruction this year and is considering cutting as many as 20 in 2003-04. "That is encouraging. But it’s not something we want to do," she said. "We may not have an alternative." House Bill 2894 would allow the state superintendent of public instruction to grant schools or districts special permission to operate on a shortened school year for more than one year. Advertisement The Senate approved the bill Wednesday. It passed the House on May 6. Except for Prospect, all Jackson County districts cut school days in 2002-03 to plug budget holes when state revenues plunged. Phoenix-Talent and Eagle Point are the only districts that are discussing cutting days for a second year. Neither has made a firm decision. All other school districts except Butte Falls indicated they would not cut days again to balance their budgets. Attempts to contact Butte Falls officials on Thursday were unsuccessful. The Medford School District cut 10 days in 2002-03, but Superintendent Steve Wisely said administrators haven’t discussed shortening the calendar again, despite the need to trim $6 million from the 2003-04 budget. "It was a one-time thing, for an emergency situation," said Wisely. "It was not something anybody wanted to do ... it probably won’t be considered again unless it becomes absolutely necessary." Sen. Bill Morrisette, D-Springfield, said the bill would serve as a Band-Aid for underfunded schools. The state’s revenue crisis has forced 31 of 198 Oregon school districts to operate below the 175-day minimum this year. State Superintendent Susan Castillo said she was pleased the bill passed but is frustrated that it’s necessary. "We’re hoping we don’t have to use it, but that’s how bad things are," she said. Others, including Sen. Tony Corcoran, D-Cottage Grove, called the bill irresponsible because it allows districts to be "deficient by law." 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 SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times