Team Fort Osage is a committee of Fort Osage staff comprised of 16 members (8 certificated and 8 classified) that provides feedback to me regarding salary, insurance, the calendar and other employee-related District matters. I have met with the committee two times this year and we are scheduled to meet again on May 20. Team Fort Osage was developed in response to HB 1413 which prohibits the District from negotiating with organizations in regard to salary and benefits unless the organization is approved through the election process governed by the Department of Labor. If you would like additional information regarding HB 1413 or the origins of Team Fort Osage click here to view the information that was previously posted in November. The following information was discussed with Team Fort Osage regarding the budget. -The 2017 levy passage allowed Fort Osage to have a balanced budget the past two years. Previously it had been ten years since Fort Osage operated on a balanced budget. -Maintaining a balanced budget is a priority of the Board of Education. -Due to Fort's low assessed valuation, the District relies heavily on the state for funding. -State revenues are lower than projected so we continue to closely monitor state funding. The following information was discussed with Team Fort Osage regarding health insurance. -Providing quality health insurance continues to be a priority for the District. -The District is currently in its second year with Humana. The current plan runs until December 31, 2019. -The District will begin receiving bids this summer for the January 1, 2020 renewal. Humana as well as other health insurance providers who elect to submit a bid will have the opportunity to do so. -The District's claims have increased over the past year and are currently at a 92% claims loss ratio. -Data from Humana indicates that our current renewal with them would be capped at a 16% increase with a 4% buy down due to the Go365 participation. Continued participation in Go365 could help to buy down the premiums more. -According to our insurance broker, CBIZ, our current insurance plans are among the best in the metro. Fort Osage contributes more money to HSA accounts than most other Districts at $142.68 and $81.58 for our two high deductible plans. Some area Districts contribute $0 to employee HSA accounts. -The continued increase in health insurance premiums makes it challenging for the District to fund insurance increases as well as provide enhancements to staff salaries. The following information was discussed with Team Fort Osage regarding salaries for the 2019-2020 school year. -I will recommend to the Board in June that certificated staff on the salary schedule will receive steps and movement. -I will recommend to the Board in June that classified staff on the salary schedule receive steps. Further, per the classified salary study performed last year, those employees who are still below market will receive an extra step. -It costs the District approximately $900,000 in additional funds to provide steps and movement for all employees. -As much as the budget will allow in order to maintain a balanced budget, the District is looking at a small increase to the salary schedules. Comments are closed.
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