Last spring, I directed a production of The Wizard of Oz at North Medford High School; you remember the moment--Toto tugging the curtain aside and revealing the fraud of the Wizard. Well, that curtain was tugged aside yesterday in the Medford School District. Attendance across the District was just shy of 70%, with a high of 87% (at a small rural elementary where all but one teacher crossed the picket line) to a low of 51% at two elementary schools with students who are reporting to buildings other than their normal site. Even with the diminished numbers, there were issues with classroom crowding and coverage, with having as many replacements as were planned for, and with addressing parent concerns about safety.
http://www.mailtribune.com/...
"It was a disaster," said North Medford High School senior Gerardo Rodriguez. He estimated some classes had as many as 60 students, resulting in an impromptu walkout by the seniors.
"People were sent into the common area, sent to the gym, the library," the 17-year-old said. "We were told to work on our projects, but there's not really anything to work on. Our papers were due a month and a half ago, and everyone's project is outside the school."
North Medford senior Megan Hyland agreed, saying the decrease in instructors and increase in class size made it difficult to structure the day.
"It was more we were just there hanging out," Hyland said. "There wasn't anything really for us to work on. I could have done just as much at my house."
http://www.kdrv.com/...
From the Trib:
Long said he expects more students will attend school districtwide today.
"More" -- I don't think it means what he thinks it means. Based on Twitter and Facebook traffic this morning, attendance has dropped, not increased. The parking lot at North Medford is significantly less occupied today. Students are reporting rooms that had 50 students yesterday have 15 today.
http://www.kdrv.com/...
The bargaining teams are back at the table today after no discussions on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. On multiple occasions through this process, the Association negotiation team has been available and willing while the District has had other priorities or has cited the lack of availability of a mediator.
The Association is optimistic about today's negotiation session, but encouraging phone contacts to the District Administration and School Board members should continue until a settlement is reached and teachers are back in the classrooms.