The Medford School District may ask voters this fall to approve a tax levy that would raise about $3 million annually to pay for additional teachers, school repairs and computer upgrades.

"I think we need it, absolutely," school board Chairman Mike Moran said.

After slashing $6.2 million from its budget this year — the fourth consecutive year of cuts — the board can clearly see the shortages it faces, he said.

The board plans to meet this month and next to set goals for the district and study ways to fund them.

"A local-option tax is definitely part of that," said board member Larry Nicholson.

Advertisement

Some of the biggest needs include additional teachers to reduce class sizes, building maintenance and repairs and computer upgrades, Moran said.

"I don’t think people will be happy with class sizes in September," he said.

After renegotiating its contract with teachers to remove class-size limits, district officials expect elementary classes to average 27 students, the same as last year, but with fewer aides to help teachers. In middle schools, classes will grow to an average of 32 students from 27. In high school, class sizes will increase to 35 students from 30.

Maintenance needs include a new roof at North Medford High School and smaller projects at other schools, Moran said. The district also has ongoing needs to keep computers and networks up to date.

Galen Anderson, the district’s director of business and finance, said board members have mentioned seeking a local-option tax levy several times since the failure of ballot measures 28 and 30, which would have boosted state revenues and school funding.

"We need to look for relief of this revenue reduction," he said.

Still, he said Medford’s study of the option is in the early stages and the entire board hasn’t formally considered it yet.

"There’s a lot of work to be done if the board wants to get serious on this," he said.

Board members have yet to determine how many years the levy would last. Also, the rate per thousand dollars of assessed valuation would have to stay within caps imposed by tax limitation measures 5 and 50.

Ashland has had a local levy for schools since 1994. Last year Multnomah County and Beaverton passed such levies in response to the failure of Measure 28.

The city of Medford is poised to ask residents to pay higher property taxes to build sidewalks near elementary schools and partially outfit the new Medford Sports Park.

The City Council is expected to vote later this month on proposals for two general obligation bonds for the November ballot: one for 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — or $10 for a house with an assessed value of $100,000 — for the sidewalks; and another for 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — or $20 for a $100,000 house — to go toward the sports park.

Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail aburke@mailtribune.com