Homeless student problem needs solving

By John Darling, for the Mail Tribune

The number of homeless students in Jackson County jumped 23 percent last year, largely because of the poor economy, school officials said.

Medford schools showed an 18 percent increase in homeless students, from 1,139 in 2009-10 to 1,341 in 2010-11, according to statistics released last week by the Oregon Department of Education.

"One in 10 Medford students are homeless now," said Terri Dahl, supervisor of federal programs for the Medford district. "It's totally the economy. People aren't finding jobs, and their homes are foreclosing. They're doubling and tripling up with family members. They're running out of shelter."

The count, required annually for federal grant money, showed Medford ranked 11th in the state for homeless students at 10.7 percent.

Butte Falls, a district of 161 students, showed the highest percentage in the state — 24.8 — with 36 homeless students. Other districts in the top 20 statewide included Rogue River at 10.8 percent, Prospect at 9.2 percent and Phoenix-Talent at 8.9 percent. Phoenix-Talent's homeless student population grew by 144 students from the previous year, giving it the greatest percentage increase among Jackson County districts — 148 percent.

Eagle Point saw a 26-student drop in homelessness from the previous year, a difference of 9.3 percent. Central Point and Ashland's homeless rates grew by 57 percent and 17.8 percent, respectively. Read more...