Month: April 2014

Your Administrative Cabinet members (Dr. Roark Horn, Dr. Mary Stevens, Dr. Jerry Schnabel, Julie Davies, Dr. Jon McKenzie, David Nicholson, Kathy Enslin, and Beth Strike) presented an overview presentation during the opening of our accreditation site visit. As you may recall, every five years, the agency participates in this official review of agency programs and services, which is facilitated by the Iowa Department of Education. The site visit serves as an opportunity to ensure that AEA standards for service are being met and that progress is being made toward established goals. As a reminder, interview teams will be on site to meet with selected AEA staff members along with those we serve on April 22-24. We look forward to this opportunity to showcase all of your hard work as well as discover opportunities for continued growth as an organization. For more information, contact Dr. Jon McKenzie or visit the accreditation 2014 website. This is a powerful section of our website with a great deal of information about the results of our collective efforts. Check it out!

Special thanks to Dr. Jerry Schnabel for contributing this valuable article.

From time-to-time I get a question about the security of a staff member’s email, Google, iVisions, etc. account. At the agency, we do a number of things to minimize risk. For example, we require that all users change their passwords every 120 days and have password requirements that make them hard to crack. We also protect from password cracking attempts by shutting down accounts after a certain number of unsuccessful password attempts.

The iVisions site is secured through the use of encryption software that is the industry standard. This is how we encrypt all data on the site (including passwords).  All AEA 267 Web sites with https:// in front of their address use this type of security.

While the agency takes multiple measures to ensure the safety of your data, you also have an important role in keeping your password safe. Using a post-it note on a computer with a password prominently displayed may help you remember it, but anyone passing by can see it too. If you do write it down, store it out of sight, in a secure place away from your computer.

If you want to change your password at any time, you may go to https://password.aea267.k12.ia.us/pm/ and select “Change Password”. If you forget your password, you can go to the same site and select “Reset”. The IT staff does not have access to your password, so this is the best way to reset a forgotten password.

While time clock systems that accurately track employee hours worked have been around for years, both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Affordable Care Act now make these systems imperative. The Affordable Care Act requires employers to report all hours being worked by all employees to be sure that all employees who work more than 30 hours are offered health insurance. In addition, the implementation of a time clock system will ensure that all non-exempt employees are being compensated for all the hours they work. This provides both the agency and hourly staff members with peace of mind.

At the April board meeting, the AEA 267 Board of Directors approved the purchase of a time clock system provider. The Business and Human Resources offices are working closely together to ensure a smooth implementation of the new system by July 1, including time for training.

We recognize that staff members who may be impacted by the change have many, many questions. Supervisors and administrators who will oversee the system have many questions themselves! Unfortunately, due to the ongoing changes in the guidance that accompanies the Affordable Care Act, we may not have concrete answers for a few weeks yet. Supervisors and administrators met on April 3 for an initial discussion about how to implement the system and to generate questions and scenarios that need further discussion. Rest assured that as soon as details are worked out, additional information, along with training, will be provided. In the meantime, feel free to share your questions with your supervisor who is assisting with putting together a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that we can all use when clarification is needed closer to July 1.

Questions? Contact either David Nicholson or Kathy Enslin.

Over 1,300 educators have now taken the annual AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey, which provides those we serve with an opportunity to share feedback about our services. (The survey launched on Monday, March 3.) Please continue to encourage teachers and school administrators you work with to respond to the survey, which will close on Friday, April 11. (As a reminder, AEA staff members are not eligible to take the survey.)

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 6 p.m. in the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center. During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review from Dr. Jon McKenzie regarding the Accreditation Process.
• Authorized and approved the purchase of a timecard system for the agency.
• Reviewed the RFPs and approved an Auditor for 2013-14 through 2016-17.
• Ratified the Collective Bargaining contract for 2014-15 with the CWA.
• Approved the 28E purchasing agreement with the IAEP for 2014-15 for River Hills School.
• Approved the Cooperative Student Teaching/Practicum Program agreement with UNI for 2014-15.
• Heard a second reading of the following board policies:
  • 500 Series (Students)
  • 600 Series (Business Procedures)
• Approved the resolution for sale of property to begin the process of selling the Forest City office building.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

The AEA system is working on a branding project. One of the first steps is to create a brand promise. Please share one word that describes the work that you do. No phrases, please. Click here to add YOUR word!!