In light of the conversations surrounding school safety recently I want to assure you that the safety of our students and staff has been and will always be the top priority of our District. The building and district safety teams continue to review and practice safety protocols. We are continuing to meet to review our safety procedures with local authorities and make changes when appropriate. If you have any questions regarding building protocols please discuss them with your building principal or supervisor. I am thankful each day for your work with students and am blessed you are a member of the Fort Family. Thank you for everything you do.
The Health Screenings have begun. If you are on the District's insurance you should sign up as soon as possible at the schools that still have availability because walk-in opportunities will be limited. Attending the screening and completing the assessment isn't mandatory. However, those who do not participate in a health screening and do not complete the health risk assessment by August 1 will be charged $30 per month beginning in January, 2019. Employees may visit their own doctor for a physical in lieu of the health screening. However, the information must be logged in to Go365 by August 1 to avoid the $30 monthly fee. Additionally, please sign up for Go365, the Humana Health App. This will help you track your points as you move to Silver Status. If over 40% of the participants on our plan reach Silver Status the District will receive up to an 8% discount on next year's premium renewal. Stadium and Warehouse Freezer: The work for both projects has continued with completion scheduled for this summer. Early Childhood Center: The site has been leveled and they are preparing to pour the foundation. Walking Trails and FPUE Playground: The bid was approved at the February board meeting. The work on the existing walking trails at Buckner, Blue Hills and the hard play area at the Fire Prairie playground will begin this spring. Roof Tops: The bid for roof repairs at Fire Prairie, Blue Hills and the District Warehouse were approved at the February meeting. Work will be done this summer. High School Breezeway: The bid was approved at the February meeting. Work will be done this summer and is scheduled to be completed before school begins next year. The legislative session has continued in Jefferson City with the upcoming spring break beginning March 15. We are continuing to monitor several bills since funding, vouchers and charter school expansion are all topics of bills this year.
Senate Bill 612 is a voucher tax credit bill that would utilize money from the state's general revenue fund to finance students to attend a private schools. Beyond the studies showing that voucher programs are ineffective in educating students the bill would cost an estimated $250 million over 10 years. This money could otherwise be utilized for the foundation formula or transportation that is already underfunded. The bill has been debated on the senate floor but there was no vote. House Bill 2247 is a charter school expansion bill that would allow charter expansion in all school districts in the state where individual school buildings have scored 60% or less on their APR. The bill was voted out of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee on February 5. The next step is for it to be heard by the Administrative Oversight Committee. If voted out of the committee it will be placed on the House calendar to be discussed. For those of you interested, a $20 gift card to Cosentino's Sunfresh will be given away to one lucky winner using the RNG. To enter please send an email to [email protected] with "Groceries" in the subject line. Entries will be accepted until 8:00 am on Monday, March 5. Give Away prizes are not purchased with District funds. Only Fort Osage employees are eligible to enter the drawing. |
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