School budget still flexible; scotch broom goes big; and highway safety important in construction zones

Who returns to their job this coming school year depends on a lot of factors…

The final directions may have been given to administrators Wednesday night, but it's most likely going to be later this month before the final budget for the coming school year is prepared. Siuslaw School District Business Manager Derek Smith said they spent much of the day Thursday sorting out just who would be returning to what position on July first. Issues with seniority and certification can make it a complex situation when changing the size of the work force. Initial budget estimates in April had targeted more than two-dozen employees… Teachers, Aides and Custodians… for layoff. With voter approval last month of a special tax levy and final adoption this week, it means that several programs and people will be retained. In addition to the metals program, the band programs at the middle and high school levels will be retained; two teachers have been added back to the middle school; another pair have been added at the elementary level, along with a music teacher and a behavior support assistant. The technology support department would have been gutted under the initial proposal, leaving only one person to maintain several hundred computer work stations. Once again there will now be two employees in that department. This week's budget approval is also based on an estimate of what the legislature will provide. Representative Jean Cowan of Newport said Thursday the education budget will most likely be one of the last things lawmakers do before adjourning… and that could be at least two weeks away.

It's been a heavy season for scotch broom according to folks at the City of Florence. The bright yellow blossoms this time of year may be pretty at first glance, but on closer inspection it's really a noxious weed that can take over and crowd out native species, while leaving no value for wildlife. It can also be a burden on people with respiratory difficulties when the pollen starts to fly. It takes commitment to curb the growth of Scotch Broom. Mature plants can live up to 50-years and it's a very prolific seed producer. One of the drawbacks to eradicating the weed is what to do with it when you cut it. You can't burn it inside the city limits, but Florence does offer monthly yard debris dropoffs at the north end of the airport. The next dropoff is set for a week from tomorrow.

There are no less than five highway construction projects currently underway in western Lane and Douglas counties, increasing the odds that any trip of more than a few miles may mean a delay.
210 -- "First of all, plan your trip, what you're doing. Add a little bit of extra time and then when you're going through the corridor please keep your eyes aware of not only people, but things."
Assistant Project Manager Steve Templin with the Oregon Department of Transportation says it's natural to want to see what's going on when driving through a work zone, but extra vigilance will help keep not only workers safer, but motorists as well.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

After running patiently next to two other leaders, Oregon's Galen Rupp pulled away with a devastating finish to win the national title in the 10,000 meters. He also gave the Ducks 10 crucial points in their pursuit of the team title at the NCAA track and field championships. Rupp and the Ducks are seeking a rare "Triple Crown" after winning men's team national titles in cross country and indoor track and field earlier this season. Rupp wasn't the only Oregon athlete to win. Ashton Eaton took the decathlon with 8,241 points, almost 200 more than the second-place finisher. The junior from Bend entered the second day of the decathlon with a huge lead after winning both the 100 and 400 meters on Wednesday. On Day Two, he won the 110-meter hurdles while setting a personal best in the discus.