Enrollment drop spurs group study
TRSD also examining possible impact tax
Formation of an 18-member committee to examine ways to deal with changes needed due to declining enrollments topped the agenda during a Three Rivers School District (TRSD) regular board meeting Monday night, Oct. 15.
The meeting was held at Fruitdale Elementary School in Grants Pass. Vice Chairman Leslie Meier was absent.
The committee which includes Illinois Valley residents Tony Paulson (mayor of Cave Junction), Ginger Nordal, Kate Dwyer and Shelly Berry, was selected from names submitted by district school principals. The board voted 4-0 to accept TRSD Superintendent Jerry Fritts’ final recommendation on members.
The Right-Sizing Committee, as it is termed, is scheduled to begin meeting next month. Final recommendations are to be submitted sometime during January 2008.
The board also discussed the possibility of a new residential and non-residential development tax, similar to an impact tax. It is made possible by Senate Bill 1036, signed into law by Gov. Kulongoski in May. It allows school districts to assess a tax on any new construction.
A report submitted by TRSD Business Manager David Marshall outlined some of the requirements needed before such a plan could be implemented. These include a specific five-year plan for the funds generated, and the necessity of intergovernmental agreements with the cities of Cave Junction and Grants Pass as well as Josephine and Jackson counties.
These municipalities would be responsible for collecting the tax while being allowed to retain 1 percent of the revenue raised to cover costs that might be incurred. The amount and term of the tax would be set by board resolution.
Marshall had no specific estimates of dollar amounts that would be raised by the tax. But he said that the Medford school district estimates a $1 million increase in revenue. The board agreed to research the possibility further for potential implementation by TRSD.
In other business, Wanda Reynolds, of Hidden Valley High School, was given a “Recognition Of Excellence” award for her actions that resulted in saving a life. A fellow teacher began choking while eating lunch, and Reynolds performed the Heimlich Maneuver three times, ultimately saving her colleague’s life.
Also receiving recognition were Jann Taylor, director of Curriculum/Federal Programs; and Applegate Elementary School teacher Thelma Goodnough. They worked together to secure a $5,000 grant from the Cheney/West Foundation. It was established by a state lottery winner from Jackson County.
The funds will go toward updating nonfiction material for the Applegate school library.
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