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Business News
Independence, MO —
Fort Osage is continuing with its plan to make changes at the schools to make them safer for students and staff.
Assistant Superintendent John Ruddy updated the Board of Education Tuesday on where the district is in the process. District staff are working with an architect and the maintenance department to tour each building to gauge the feasibility of some of the proposed safety features.
Among the security options being considered are a buzz-in system at all or some of the buildings, additional office and security staff, updating security cameras and replacing locks. Any potential changes or upgrades will be made using the more than $1 million left over from the April 2011 bond issue.
“What we are looking at are maybe the buzz-in video systems and in some locations, new doorways,” said Stephanie Smith, public information officer for the district. “We also want to try to force everyone into the office if possible as they enter the buildings.”
Smith said for some buildings, like Elm Grove, little work, if any will have to be done. However, other buildings like Fire Prairie Middle School, will be more of a challenge. At Fire Prairie, visitors pass the commons area/cafeteria, gymnasium and a hallway before reaching the front office.
“We are looking at our options,” she said. “We are looking at what we can and cannot do and hope to have a report ready to present next month.”
The board also approved the 2013-14 school calendar.
The first day of school is Aug. 14. Thanksgiving break is Nov. 27 to 29, and winter break is Dec. 23 to Jan. 3. Spring break is March 17 to 21. The last day of school is scheduled for May 21, 2014.
Six early dismissal days are included in the schedule. Any days missed because of inclement weather will be made up at the end of the school year.
Fort Osage is continuing with its plan to make changes at the schools to make them safer for students and staff.
Assistant Superintendent John Ruddy updated the Board of Education Tuesday on where the district is in the process. District staff are working with an architect and the maintenance department to tour each building to gauge the feasibility of some of the proposed safety features.
Among the security options being considered are a buzz-in system at all or some of the buildings, additional office and security staff, updating security cameras and replacing locks. Any potential changes or upgrades will be made using the more than $1 million left over from the April 2011 bond issue.
“What we are looking at are maybe the buzz-in video systems and in some locations, new doorways,” said Stephanie Smith, public information officer for the district. “We also want to try to force everyone into the office if possible as they enter the buildings.”
Smith said for some buildings, like Elm Grove, little work, if any will have to be done. However, other buildings like Fire Prairie Middle School, will be more of a challenge. At Fire Prairie, visitors pass the commons area/cafeteria, gymnasium and a hallway before reaching the front office.
“We are looking at our options,” she said. “We are looking at what we can and cannot do and hope to have a report ready to present next month.”
The board also approved the 2013-14 school calendar.
The first day of school is Aug. 14. Thanksgiving break is Nov. 27 to 29, and winter break is Dec. 23 to Jan. 3. Spring break is March 17 to 21. The last day of school is scheduled for May 21, 2014.
Six early dismissal days are included in the schedule. Any days missed because of inclement weather will be made up at the end of the school year.
