Proposed school district cuts would eliminate Heppner Elementary principal, assistant superintendent, four teachers Morrow County School Superintendent Bruce Anderson, at the district’s regular meeting in Boardman Feb. 11, outlined a plan for the district to deal with projected budget shortfalls in the coming years. Anderson's plan would eliminate the principal position at Heppner Elementary School, instead using a half-time head teacher with supervision by the Heppner High School principal, and would also eliminate the district’s assistant superintendent position and four teachers-one Burke O 'B rien each at Heppner High School/ Heppner Junior High, lone High formerly held by Keith Lewis and School/Ione Junior High, Larry Mills Barney Lindsay that were Columbia Middle School at Irrigon Heppner Junior High-$422,240 vacated by the board because of and Riverside High School at $662,497 residency issues. Boardman. Anderson said that revenues, expenses=($240,257), less $2,484 School report cards current Heppner Elementary The board also heard School Principal Phyllis Danielson in reductions for ($237,773); H ep p n er High School reports from school principals on has indicated that she plans to $ 1,095,900 revenues, $ 1,089,363 their respective school report move out of the district and will resign. He said that the four expenses=$6,537, less $54,248 in cards as follows: H eppner Elementary teaching positions would be reductions for +$60,785; lone received a strong rating overall. reduced by attrition (teachers Junior High School-$260,936 $295,891 The school received a strong retiring or resigning), not by “pink revenues, expenses=($34,955), less $26,044 rating in student performance slips”. If the proposed cuts were in reductions for ($8,911); lone with 85 percent of students in approved, current assistant High School-$594.776 revenues, grades three and five meeting superintendent Mike Keown of $719,483 expenses=($ 124,707), state standards in reading Heppner would lose his job. less $27,124 in reductions for com pared to 86 percent o f Anderson said that he students in comparison schools expected the district to be flat ($97,583); R iv ersid e High School-$2,896,920 revenues, and 80 percent statewide: 71 funded from the state through 2006, while the district's expenses $3,069,024 expenses=( $ 172,104), percent meeting standards in less $65,192 in reductions for writing, compared to 73 percent increase every year, due to of comparison schools and 64 increases in salaries and all other ($106,912). The average teacher percent statewide; 86 percent in operating costs. salary district-wide is $56,000. math multiple choice, compared $1 m illion cash School revenues to 80 percent in comparison carryover critical based on attendance schools and 74 percent statew ide; Anderson commented The amount each school and 64 percent meeting standards that it is critical for the district to receives from the state is based in math problem solving, have a cash carryover of at least on attendance, along with com pared to 81 percent o f $1 million, so that the district is Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon additional factors such as the com parison schools and 76 not forced to borrow to pay number of English-as-a-second- percent statewide. HES received expenses before annual tax language students, special a strong rating in student behavior monies are received. He said that according to current projections, education students, pregnant and w ith 94 percent of HES students attending school daily, compared if action is not taken now to parenting students, and a small “Hoop Shoot” National Free school allowance. According to to 93.4 statewide. The school reduce expenses, the district Throw Contest held in Spring- projections, the district is received an exceptional rating in field, Massachusetts, April 18- could have over a $1 million expected to receive approximately school characteristics with 99 deficit for the 2005-2006 school 21 . $5,200 per student from the state percent of students participating year. With proposed cuts the Megan demonstrated on Sat­ for 2002/03. For that school year, in state testing, compared to 96.1 urday that she truly has the tal­ district would have almost $3 statewide. Performance in math million cash carry over for 2001 / it is projected that A .C. ent that can take her to the top. Houghton will have an average and reading im proved and 02 and 2002/03, over $2.5 million Representing Heppner Elks attendance of 410 students, but attendance stayed about the Lodge No. 358, Megan sank 18 for 2003/04 and $1,755,735 for additional factors will bring the same. A pproxim ately 210 2004/05, which would dwindle out of 25 free throws, an accu­ total w eighted attendance to students attended the school with down to $308,615 for 2005/06. racy that made her stand out from 547.8; HES-212 attendance w ith no students enrolled in English-as- W ith no cuts the three million participants in 29.7 additional factors for 241.7; a-second language courses. expenses w ould exceed the competition begun last fall. IES-65 with 44.69 additional to N ineteen percent o f HES revenues With yet another title under the 109.69; SBE-475 with 195.75 teachers had a master's degree For 2002/03, if no staffing belt of her warm-up suit. Megan or higher and the teaching staff additional for 670.75; CMS-377 cuts were made, projected and her family will travel as the with 132.85 additional for 509.85; had an average o f 14 years guests of the Benevolent and expenses for the district's schools HJH-69 with 12.2 additional for experience. w ould exceed revenues by Protective Order of Elks to the 81.2; HHS-118 with 92.75 H eppner High School around $400,000. State revenues regional com petition where additional for 210.75; IJH-29 with received an exceptional rating Megan will face.her next chal­ are projected to be $16,085,680, 21.18 additional for 50.18: IHS- overall. HHS received a strong lenge. Winners of the regional compared to estimated expenses 59 with 55.38 additional for rating in student performance championship will advance to the o f $16,486,032. If staffing with 70 percent of students in 114.38; RHS-422 with 135.1 reductions are made, the national level o f competition additional for 557.1. grades eight and 10 meeting state where a triumphant showing will expenses are expected to exceed standards in reading, compared to Even w ith cuts, the revenues by over $51,000. result in the victors having their 56 percent o f students in s tu d e n t-te a c h e r ratio s still Only four schools self- names engraved upon a plaque com parison schools and 58 good sustaining in the Naismith Memorial Bas­ percent statew ide: 74 percent of Anderson said that even Only four district schools ketball Hall of Fame. The two students meeting standards in with staffing reductions the are self-sustaining w ithout overall winners of the competi­ student-teacher ratios at district writing compared to 73 percent staffing reductions-A .C . tion, the recipients of the presti­ schools remain good. ACH. w ith in com parison schools and Houghton Elem entary, Sam gious Getty Powell Award, will statewide; 70 percent meeting 19 classroom teachers, would Boardman Elem entary and be invited to address the Elks al standards in math multiple choice, have a student-teacher ratio of Heppner High School. With their national convention in Reno, com pared to 49 percent in 21.89-1; H ES. with 10.5 reductions, Columbia Middle Nevada. classroom teachers-20.38-1; IES, com parison schools and School would also bring in more The Elks Hoop Shoot Nation­ 4 classroom teachers-16.25-1; statewide; 70 percent meeting revenues that are expended. al Free Throw Contest is the SBE. 23 classroom teachers- standards in math problem School-by-school projected largest coeducational sports pro­ solving, compared to 57 percent 21.08-1; CM S, 19 classroom revenues versus expenses for gram in the nation. “Funded by teachers-19.84-1; H J H . 3.7 in comparison schools and 58 2002/03 are as follows: A.C. the Elks, the Elks Hoop Shoot classroom te a c h e rs-18.64-1; percent statewide. The school H oughton E lem en tary - Contest has promoted honesty, received an exceptional rating in HHS. 8.81 classroom teachers- $2,848,560 revenues, $2,599,955 fair play, dedication, and effort 13.84-1; IJH . 2.17 classroom student behavior with 93.5 of expenses=$248,000. less $14,760 among youngsters for 30 years." HHS students attending school te a c h e rs-17.36-1; IH S-5.66 in reductions for +$263,365; according to a news release. classroom teach ers-9 .5 7 -1; daily, compared to 91.3 statewide Heppner Elementarv School- Megan is the daughter of RHS-21 classroom teachers- and no dropouts recorded that $ 1,256,840 revenues. $ 1.708,963 Jeff and Lana Orr of Heppner. 20.57-1. The student-teacher ratio year. The school received an expenses=($452,123), less Whitney Matthews, daugh­ is further low ered with the exceptional rating in school $79,555 in reductions for ter of Skip and Sandy Matthews characteristics w ith 96.6 percent addition of specialists. Even with ($372,568); lone Elem entary of Heppner, made 17 of 25 free the recommended reductions, of HHS students and students School-$570,388 revenues, throws to finish in second place. statewide participating in state ACH would have five specialists. $606.575 expenses=($36,187), HES. 1.75; IES. .17; SBF. testing Performance in math and 4.5; less $2,340 in reductions for reading and attendance and the CMS. 1.5; HJH, .17; HHS-1; IJH. ($33.847); Sam B o ard m an .17; IHS, .25; and RHS. 2.5. dropout rate all improved. The Elementary School-$3.487,900 school had an average of 193 (Heppner Junior High and High revenues, $3,063,979 students w ith none enrolled in ESL. School share teachers and expenses=$423.921, less $ 13,752 programs. Forty-four percent of specialists, as do lone Junior High in reductions for +$437,673; the teachers had a m aster's and High School.) C o lu m b ia M iddle School. degree or higher and the teaching Also at the February $2,651,220 revenues. $2,670,302 meeting, interim board members staff had an average of 15 years expenses^($ 19,082). less $63,752 The Rhea Creek Social Club Larry Mills and Burke O'Brien continued page2 is sponsoring a bake sale for the in reductions for +$44,670; were sworn in to fill the seats Heppner Fire Department Auxil­ iary on Friday, March 1, in front o f Peterson’s Jew elers in Heppner. The sale will start at 9 a.m. The purpose of this sale is to aid the firefighters in purchasing their firefighting (turn out suits) S a le e n d s F eb ru a ry 2 8 th • STILL TIME TO SAVE! that are greatly needed. Donations of baked goods or money will be welcomed. Be33le J e t z e l l U o f J ?, e M 3 p a ? 3r L i b r a r y Eumene, OH VOL. 121 NO. 8 10 Pages Wednesday, February 20,2002 Heppner resident Megan Orr Captures Elks “Hoop Shoot” Oregon State Championship Whitney Matthews and Megan O rr When H eppner resident Megan Orr stepped away from the free-throw line at McKay High School in Salem, she also walked away with an Elks “Hoop Shoot” Oregon State Champion­ ship title for her win in the 12-13- year-old Girls Division for the sec­ ond year in a row. Having already captured local and district honors, Megan has now earned the right to advance to the regional com­ petition, where she will vie for the opportunity to go on to the Elks Find the Hidden Shamrock«»« 4 ^ The popular St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt is back. Each week until March 13, a clue for the treasure hunt will be printed in the Gazette-Times. If followed, these clues will guide treasure hunters to a green shamrock hidden somewhere in the city limits of Heppner. The first person to find the hidden shamrock will win a gold coin. The coin, donated by the Bank of Eastern Oregon, is on display there. RILES:_____________________________________________ 1. A new set o f clues to guide you to the hidden shamrock will appear in each edition o f the Heppner Gazette-Times. 2. A total of five clues will be given, up to March 13. 3. The hidden shamrock is not on private property and no digging or moving o f objects, dirt or other material is necessary to find the shamrock. 4. The first person to find the shamrock should bring it to the Heppner Gazette-Times office to claim the gold coin. CLUE NUMBER TWO - FEBRUARY 20 Hello again, my inquisitive congregation Armed as you arc after last week's cognition. I hope you weren’t "stumped" by last week's short clue In fact, you found what you wanted right there on Jim's strange sepulcher. You did get the number? I do mean the year Now tuck it away for its use will be near. Remember the ponder from last week's short rhyme? Now another year is needed from back in time. A calamity's marker gives up what we need No great event has anyone since seen. Keep your math skills handy throughout this long quest For being able to add might put you ahead o f the rest. Something to kick, around in your head As you wait one more w eek, for something more to be said A.G Bell might just be somewhere on down the line As you think to yourself. This gold “will be mine.” Rhea Creek Social Club to hold bake sale FLEETGUARD FILTERS 15% o ff SHOP PARTS & LABOR 10% o ff M orrow C ou n ty G rain G row ers Lexington 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396 i * farm equipment, m it our wtb M t at www megg net