The passage of the April 6 bond and levy transfer means the completion of several large construction projects over the next two years. We are nearing the end of the design phase of our first project (the transportation/maintenance/District Office building) and look forward to breaking ground in fall 2021. The remainder of the projects listed on the bond and levy transfer are scheduled to be completed by August of 2023. Separately, as in years past, funds from our annual budget will be used to complete some District maintenance projects. Projects to be completed each year are determined in May based on monies available. The following projects are scheduled to be completed in summer 2021. The funds utilized are not part of the bond and levy transfer. Exterior Paint Projects Blue Hills, Buckner, Cler-Mont, Elm Grove and Fire Prairie Sidewalk Replacements Buckner, Career and Technology Center, Fire Prairie and Osage Trail Asphalt Projects Parking, Playground and Drive Improvements at Buckner Elementary Who doesn't love ice cream? A $25.00 gift card to Andy's will be given away to one lucky winner utilizing the RNG. For those of you interested, please send an email to [email protected] with ‘Ice Cream' in the subject line. Entries will be accepted until 8:00 am on Friday, June 4. The gift card will be mailed to your home address. Giveaway prizes are not purchased with District funds. Only Fort Osage employees are eligible to enter the drawing. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, you have helped make this year a success! As we near the end of the year, I want to thank you for your continued hard work, determination and perseverance. The many successes would not have been possible without you! I met with Team Fort Osage on May 21 to discuss the salary proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. An overview of our discussion is provided below. The information is pending board approval at the June meeting. I've been monitoring the various revenue sources for Fort Osage very closely. Maintaining a balanced budget is a priority for the Board, and my goal is to achieve that while continuing to provide appropriate staffing to ensure student success, good health insurance coverage, and to remain competitive with our salaries. I will be making the recommendations listed below to the Board at the June meeting. This recommendation is based on the passage of Question 2 (levy transfer) on the April ballot, a 7% increase on the preliminary assessed valuation from Jackson County, and the approval of the state budget on May 7. Teacher Salary Schedule Provide Steps Provide Horizontal Movement (for those eligible) Add $1,000 to the base salary which filters throughout (increases base to $39,000) I am also proposing an enhancement to the middle of the schedule beginning year 11. More information will be provided after the June board meeting. Classified Schedules Provide Steps Add $0.10 per hour to cell A1 on hourly schedule which filters throughout the schedule Add $0.20 per hour to cell A1 on exempt schedule which filters throughout the schedule All employees make a minimum of $12.00 per hour The minimum wage in the state is increasing to $12.00 per hour by 2023. Schools are exempt from this statute, however, Fort Osage wants to remain competitive with other employers. Beginning July 1, 2021, all employees will make a minimum of $12.00 per hour. This will mean that some positions will change pay ranges on the schedule. More information will be shared regarding this process and who may be impacted in the coming weeks. Certificated and Classified Administrators 4% increase (based on the average increase I'm recommending for other staff members) A $25.00 gift card to Hello Custom Cookies, located at 318 South Hudson in Buckner, will be given away to one lucky winner utilizing the RNG. For those of you interested, please send an email to [email protected] with ‘Cookies' in the subject line. Entries will be accepted until 8:00 am on Monday, May 24. Giveaway prizes are not purchased with District funds. Only Fort Osage employees are eligible to enter the drawing. |
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