Team Fort Osage met for the third time this year on February 19. It was a productive meeting with good feedback provided by the committee. There was discussion about the budget, health insurance, school calendar, second semester learning and the April 6 bond and levy issues (information provided below on each). The next Team Fort Osage meeting is scheduled for April 9.

Current Fiscal Year Budget (Ending June 30, 2021)
Fort Osage's biggest revenue source is state funding. Despite the fact that state revenues are running far ahead of this time last year, the state has withheld funding from schools. The District has had some additional expenditures due to COVID-19 (PPE, staffing, hot spots, etc.), however, there are some line items that have had fewer expenditures (travel, professional development, etc.). All told, with the addition of CARES money, Fort Osage is currently running a balanced budget.

​Next Fiscal Year Budget (Beginning July 1, 2021)
There are three major factors that will impact Fort Osage’s operating revenue for next year. These factors include state funding, the Jackson County assessment and the levy transfer found on the upcoming ballot. We are monitoring the state budget and the allocation to public schools as the state legislators are statutorily required to pass the budget by May 8. Separately, Jackson County is in the process of assessing properties which will impact Fort's local funding. Last, the no tax increase levy transfer (Question 2) on the April 6 ballot would provide additional operating money with its passage. All three of these factors play a significant role in Fort Osage’s budget next year and will not be determined until later this spring.

As always, we will continue to monitor things closely. The budget will be presented to the Board for their approval at the June meeting.

Health Insurance
On January 1, 2021, Fort Osage joined the SipGKC consortium with Blue Springs, Grain Valley and Smithville School Districts.  

• Fort Osage employees and their dependents have access to the Consiglio Wellness Center in Blue Springs. The committee who have utilized the Wellness Center shared their positive experiences. 

• Fort Osage will continue to have a wellness program led by a wellness coordinator, Mike Hagerty.

 
2020-2021 Calendar
The last day of school is currently Tuesday, June 1. The next three days missed due to inclement weather would be added to the end of the calendar (I hope we don’t have any more snow days). Summer school will end on June 30, 2021, regardless of any additional days missed by reducing the number of summer school days offered. Currently the first day of summer school is scheduled to begin on June 2.

2022-2023 Calendar
We briefly discussed the calendar and plan to submit it to the Board for approval this spring.  

​Second Semester Learning
I’m proud of the hard work the staff has demonstrated by implementing safety protocols for the entire school year. We are encouraged by the decrease in active cases and the increase in sub fill rates at Fort Osage. The transition of hybrid students back additional days has gone well at Fire Prairie and Osage Trail. The next grade levels to transition back will be the 9th-12th grade students on March 8. 
​
Bond and Levy  
The District has two questions on the April 6 ballot. Question 1 is a no tax increase bond issue and Question 2 is a no tax increase levy transfer. The committee was encouraged to share information with parents and patrons when possible. Additional information can be found on our District website. If anyone has any questions, please reach out to me at jsnodgrass@fortosage.net. ​

Team Fort Osage met for the second time this year on December 4. It was a productive meeting with exceptional feedback provided by the committee. There was discussion about budget, health insurance, school calendar, staff COVID leave days, second semester learning and capital projects (information provided below on each). The next Team Fort Osage meeting is scheduled for February 19.

Budget
The state has withheld funding from schools despite the fact that state revenues are running ahead of this time last year. The District has had some additional expenditures due to COVID-19 (PPE, staffing, hot spots, etc.) however, there are some line items that have had fewer expenditures (travel, professional development, etc.). All told, with the addition of CARES money, Fort Osage is currently running a balanced budget. As always, we will continue to monitor things closely.

Health Insurance
You may recall that the District is changing insurance starting January 1, 2021.  Fort Osage will be part of the SipGKC consortium with Blue Springs, Grain Valley, and Smithville School Districts.  The health insurance provider will remain with Cigna. 

• Employees on the District’s health insurance plan will receive their new insurance card in the mail before January 1.  
• For employees who have utilized one of the high deductible plans this year, there will not be a disruption to the HSA accounts. The same UMB card will still be utilized.  New enrollees in the health savings account this year will receive your UMB card in the mail prior to January 1.  
• Employees who utilize the traditional or limited flex spending account will still utilize their existing card. As a reminder if your card is expiring you will receive a new one in the mail.  
• Fort Osage employees and their dependents will still have access to the Consiglio Wellness Center in Blue Springs. 
• Fort Osage will continue to have a wellness program led by a wellness coordinator. 

2022-2023 school calendar
The committee provided feedback regarding the placement of professional development days as well as spring break. The calendar will look similar to past years. After finalizing the calendar, it will be presented to the Board in March.

Staff COVID leave days
We are proud to be one of the few Districts in the metro providing this benefit for our deserving staff. The leave will be extended to June 30, 2021 and be increased from 20 to 25 days total. 

​Second Semester Learning
As previously communicated, we are planning to begin the second semester in the same learning format we are ending the first semester.  
​

• Woodland Early Childhood students attending in-person four days per week
• Kindergarten through 4th grade in-person students five days per week 
• Our 5th through 12th grade in-person students with a hybrid schedule. 
• Career and Technology Center students in-person five days per week with the exception of the FFA and Marketing programs that follow the high school schedule.
• Lewis and Clark Academy students in-person five days per week 
• Families who selected virtual learning, virtual five days per week

Once we return to school second semester, we will monitor our active cases, quarantine rate, and sub fill rate to make a decision, when it's possible to begin transitioning our hybrid students back additional days. The transition will be no sooner than mid-January beginning with our 5th and 6th grade students. 

​The next grade levels to transition back will be the 7th and 8th grade students followed by the high school students. There will be a minimum of two weeks between transition periods.  When 5th-12th grade students return from hybrid learning they will attend four days per week. In order to provide additional support for students we will maintain virtual learning on Fridays. We will give as much advance notice as possible regarding upcoming transitions.
 
​Capital Projects 
In order to address projects outlined on the District's master plan, at their January meeting, the board will consider placing building projects on the April 2021 ballot. 

​As part of this process, the District met with a community engagement committee and performed surveys to patrons and staff in order to receive feedback on the proposed projects. The projects being considered are improvements to all school kitchens, a new gym at the high school, a new transportation/maintenance/central office building, Blue Hills Elementary and central campus parking lot improvements, FOHS band room improvements and Fire Prairie traffic improvements. After the January board meeting more information will be provided to staff.