We do use the grant. Right now, it makes up the difference between our current salary rates and the $40,000 minimum required by the state. For example, a new teacher earning $37,000 from us gets an additional $3,000 from the grant. Any teacher with less than 7 years of experience is paid below $40,000 and uses the grant to make up the difference.

While the grant is helpful, it causes some problems. For instance, a teacher with 7 years of experience earns the same as a brand-new teacher. A teacher with 10 years of experience only earns about $100 more per month than someone just starting. You can imagine how discouraging that is for experienced teachers. It also makes it much easier for other districts—those already paying at or above the $40,000 minimum—to recruit our teachers and staff.

On top of that, new teachers starting at $40,000 wouldn’t see a raise for six years. This lack of growth offers little incentive for improvement and makes them more likely to leave for other districts after we’ve trained them and welcomed them into our community.

Our classified staff—like secretaries, maintenance workers, kitchen staff, and paraprofessionals—also have a salary schedule based on teacher pay. Since teacher salaries are low, their pay is lower, too. These staff are vital to our schools, but the grant doesn’t cover their salaries, which puts us in fierce competition with other employers in the area.

Another issue with the grant is that it’s not guaranteed. The funding depends on yearly state appropriations, meaning there’s a real risk it could go away. Grants are often among the first things cut when budgets are tight. Even if the grant disappears, we’re still required to pay the $40,000 minimum salary by law.

Osage County R-II Schools

Operating Levy Increase FAQ

We just passed a bond—why are we trying to do another one?

Do we have a revenue problem or a spending problem?

Why do we need to do this? Can’t we just make it work?

There’s a grant for this; why don’t we just use that?

Will this increase be every year or forever? How long will it last?

Are we in financial trouble?

Doesn’t the district get a lot of money from sports betting?

What happens if this doesn’t pass?