Equip Students for Tomorrow
Building a Better Future is a multi-year plan to service the Osseo Area Schools community as outlined in its new strategic plan. The plan will bring Osseo Area Schools to the next level of excellence and give families the educational experience they desire and deserve.
Phase I: Learning and Technology Needs
(approved November 2022)
On Nov. 8, 2022, voters approved an operating levy to continue day-to-day learning operations and enhance individualized learning, academic interventions, scholar mental health needs and other critical classroom supports.
On Nov. 8, 2022, voters also approved a technology levy to continue classroom learning technology, infrastructure systems and support staff. This additionally prioritizes school safety and security, tools for all scholars and digital learning spaces.
Phase II: School Building Needs
(vote Nov. 7, 2023)
The Building a Better Future, Phase II plan addresses critical school building needs, expands on efforts already made in Phase I and continues strategic plan work. The priorities are:
- Secure learning environments with enhanced safety.
- Spaces for math, science and career programs, specialized learning services and growing student populations.
- Access to similar learning experiences at all district schools, including program opportunities, class size levels and the functionality of spaces.
![Building a Better Future, Phase II graphic]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1682981263/district279org/ktuqwkqc9ejkjugm33ow/Osseo-Referendum_P2-General_Campaign_Website-02.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1682981263/district279org/ktuqwkqc9ejkjugm33ow/Osseo-Referendum_P2-General_Campaign_Website-02.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1682981263/district279org/ktuqwkqc9ejkjugm33ow/Osseo-Referendum_P2-General_Campaign_Website-02.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1682981263/district279org/ktuqwkqc9ejkjugm33ow/Osseo-Referendum_P2-General_Campaign_Website-02.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1682981263/district279org/ktuqwkqc9ejkjugm33ow/Osseo-Referendum_P2-General_Campaign_Website-02.png","width":1355}])
![building a better future thank you]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1667966840/district279org/k36racfec3rrrfgregxo/Osseo-Referendum-Logo-Website-Callout-thank-you.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1667966840/district279org/k36racfec3rrrfgregxo/Osseo-Referendum-Logo-Website-Callout-thank-you.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1667966840/district279org/k36racfec3rrrfgregxo/Osseo-Referendum-Logo-Website-Callout-thank-you.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1667966840/district279org/k36racfec3rrrfgregxo/Osseo-Referendum-Logo-Website-Callout-thank-you.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1667966840/district279org/k36racfec3rrrfgregxo/Osseo-Referendum-Logo-Website-Callout-thank-you.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1667966840/district279org/k36racfec3rrrfgregxo/Osseo-Referendum-Logo-Website-Callout-thank-you.png","width":2200}]){kind=logo}
![Building a Better Future: Get out and VOTE TODAY!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1649362954/district279org/tcngidj1mnpnapst9i7k/Osseo-Referendum-Email_Graphic_v1-12.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1649362954/district279org/tcngidj1mnpnapst9i7k/Osseo-Referendum-Email_Graphic_v1-12.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1649362954/district279org/tcngidj1mnpnapst9i7k/Osseo-Referendum-Email_Graphic_v1-12.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1649362954/district279org/tcngidj1mnpnapst9i7k/Osseo-Referendum-Email_Graphic_v1-12.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1649362954/district279org/tcngidj1mnpnapst9i7k/Osseo-Referendum-Email_Graphic_v1-12.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1649362954/district279org/tcngidj1mnpnapst9i7k/Osseo-Referendum-Email_Graphic_v1-12.png","width":1920}])
82%
GOOD OR EXCELLENT ON THE
QUALITY OF EDUCATION
----------------------------------------
87%
ALL OR MOST SCHOLAR
NEEDS ARE BEING MET
----------------------------------------
84%
ARE PROUD OF OUR SCHOOLS AND
WOULD RECOMMEND THEM TO OTHERS
82%
IMPORTANT FOR DISTRICT SCHOOLS TO HAVE SIMILAR FACILITIES
----------------------------------------
80%
FLEXIBLE CLASSROOM DESIGN IS IMPORTANT FOR LEARNING
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88%
SCHOLAR ENROLLMENT WILL INCREASE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
Essentially, levies are for learning support (staff mainly) and bonds are for buildings. Levies fund the day-to-day learning operations of a school district. Bonds fund major renovations or additions to the physical school buildings.
A referendum is the holding of an election for levies and/or bonds.
At its Jan. 10 work session, board members heard from various study groups on their facility needs findings throughout the district. The teams were: Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee, Furniture and Next Generation Learning Space, Career/Technical Education, Community Education, Specialized Services, and Magnet Schools. Visit the school board document page for each group's in-depth research.
Building a Better Future, Phase II, builds upon the work already started in Phase I and the district’s new strategic plan. These are the school building improvements that would continue that forward movement. Note: These proposed projects were determined through a multi-year research process that involved students, staff, families and community members.
Last year’s community-approved technology levy funded the technology needed for safety/security improvements at district schools. The Phase II plan, if approved by voters, would address safety/security needs in relation to the physical school buildings. This includes improvements to the entrances at high schools and additional safety/security enhancements at all schools in order to meet district standards as well as the latest safety/security best practices.
The question on the ballot lists the proposed projects included in Building a Better Future, Phase II plan. This is how voters will see it presented.
- Projects to improve safety/security would not proceed.
- Crowded conditions and large class sizes would continue. Attendance boundary adjustments would be required at all levels to provide relief, which is estimated to move 6,000 students from their current schools.
- Learning spaces would continue to age and become less relevant.
- Inconsistent learning experiences would continue.
- Budget cuts would be required. Projected to be at least $31 million (approx. 300 jobs).