Lorane Elementary teachers and staff

Together with other employees of the Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District, teachers and staff at Lorane Elementary School will work for 12 days without pay this spring to help the district survive the state's budget crisis. "To minimize the affect on students, they have given up their Memorial Day holiday and some inservice time," says school-board member Cathy Boucher. "These people put children first, and they are the strong point of our district. The same is happening all over Oregon." Shown in the photograph are grades K-2 teacher Carroll Noel (wearing shades), who retires this spring after 26 years at Lorane; grades 5-6 teacher Melinda Holben (hand to chin); grades 3-4 teacher Marshall Sperling (far right); along with administrative assistant Sheila Hinke, a 25-year veteran; custodian Loren Heath; and library assistant Wendy Fast. "We've been as creative as we can," says Sperling, who also serves as special-ed teacher and principal of both Lorane and Applegate elementary schools. "Most schools are doing more with fewer people. We're here to teach -- our focus is still the kids."