Month: February 2009

It is no secret that the Governor’s across-the-board cuts, declining enrollment, federal funding issues, and now a likelihood of a partially funded allowable growth rate will all have an effect on our Agency. Staff reduction will be a necessary result of these changes as we prepare for 2009-2010. It is hoped that normal attrition (i.e., retirements and voluntary resignations) will cover most, if not all, of the necessary reductions.

If you are planning a retirement or voluntary resignation at the end of the 2008-09 school year, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting Shirley Horak. The more we know and the sooner we know, the easier it will be for the Agency to plan for 2009-2010 without disturbing the lives and plans of others. Thank you for helping if this applies to you.

Many unknowns still exist regarding 2009-2010. What will be the number of retirements and voluntary resignations? Will the Governor’s proposed budget be approved? What decisions will the legislature make regarding school and AEA funding? Will the federal stimulus package have an impact on our AEA? What will be the cost of health insurance for next year? All of the above will have an impact on 2009-2010.

The Area Education Agency 267 (AEA 267) Francis Lauer Youth Shelter is one of over 56,000 schools and public libraries across the nation awarded the Picturing America program. Picturing America is a free initiative from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) that helps teach American history and culture by bringing some of the country’s great art directly to classrooms and libraries.

“We applied for this as a way to enhance our curriculum,” said Eve Marie Zimmerman, AEA 267 Francis Lauer Youth Shelter teacher. “We try very hard to include things that connect learning to the real world and get students interested in learning. I think that bringing in the humanities often can reach some students who otherwise think history and culture is boring.”

The shelter was awarded 40 large, high-quality reproductions of great American art and a comprehensive teachers resource book to facilitate the use of the works of art in core subjects. Picturing America’s resources are designed to allow each work of art to enhance the study of American history, social studies, language arts, literature, and civics.

“The Endowment is delighted that so many students and citizens across the nation will be benefiting from Picturing America,” said NEH Chairman Bruce Cole. “Picturing America helps us understand our democracy by bringing us face to face with the people, places, and events that have shaped our country. It provides an innovative way to experience America’s history through our nation’s art.”

First piloted to 1,500 schools in January 2008, the program was launched nationally in February 2008 and awarded to over 26,000 schools and public libraries across the country in the first application period. During the second application period from August 4 through November 14, 2008, over 29,000 schools and public libraries received Picturing America awards. In addition to schools and public libraries, through a partnership with NEH, the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Head Start has made Picturing America available to the 20,000 Head Start centers across the nation. To date, over 76,000 schools, public libraries, and Head Start centers nationwide have been awarded this free education resource.

Picturing America recipient schools and public libraries are located in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. Territories. District-wide applications during both application periods have brought Picturing America to major public school districts in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and San Francisco, as well as to school and library districts in Washington, DC.

The comments in this article are focused on one of the little things we can do to serve our customers well. I was reminded of this as I visited a local retailer and noticed all the employees’ cars parked at the back of the lot, leaving the best parking spaces for the customer. It is one of those little things, but a nice thing to do as we serve our partners at AEA 267. I’m not suggesting we always need to use the parking space that is farthest from the building but to at least allow the first few rows for those that come to the AEA as our customers and partners. Are there exceptions? Of course. When you are arriving just to run in and out before you are on the road again, taking advantage of a great parking space only makes sense. When you are arriving with a load of easels, boxes, stacks of books, etc. it is easier to park close to the door. But when you are arriving to stay for the day, combine a healthy walk with a courtesy to our customers.

As you arrive for work in the morning, park in the lot assigned or designated for your building, and leave the best and closest spaces for our guests.

The Iowa Department of Education (DE) will begin AEA 267’s accreditation visit on March 10-11, 2009 with a document review. The DE team will follow up with LEA and AEA interviews on April 14-16 and on May 12-13, the team will conclude follow up activities. All activities will take place on the Cedar Falls campus.

The DE accreditation team will be comprised of staff from the DE, other AEAs and our local districts. The accreditation process is based upon a triangulation of evidence that includes written documentation and interviewing a representative sample of local district and AEA personnel around our three goals specific to the standards. The standards represented are school community planning, professional development, curriculum, instruction and assessment, special education/diverse learning needs of all children, multicultural gender-fair, media services, information school technology, and leadership. Accreditation cycles for AEAs are on a five-year schedule.

A special section of the AEA 267 website has been established for accreditation documents and information. Use the pull down menu under “About Us” on the front page of the agency website and go to “accreditation.”

The 2008 Annual Progress Report, which details the agency’s progress toward meeting established goals, is now available. In addition to being available here, it can be accessed on the accreditation section of our agency’s website.

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Team members at AEA 267 Bremwood donated over $600 to the United Way in lieu of having a Secret Santa Exchange this year. The goal was to raise $550 and in exchange team members would get to wear jeans for two weeks. According to Justin Stockdale, AEA 267 Bremwood Principal, “our team exceeded the goal and will be sporting their best denim February 16th-27th. Considering the tough financial times we are experiencing, this was a fantastic gesture on behalf of our team at AEA 267 Bremwood. It was a complete team effort!”

Congratulations to everyone involved.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met at 6 p.m. on February 3, 2009 at the AEA 267 Conference Center in Cedar Falls for a public hearing on the 2009-10 AEA 267 proposed budget. No visitors were present for the hearing.

The board convened for their regular meeting after the public hearing. During the regular meeting, the board:

• Heard and accepted the 2007-2008 Audit Report. Auditor Dennis Muyskens, of Hogan-Hanson, commended the business office for the excellent work they are doing.
• Heard a review from Dr. Jon McKenzie on the accreditation site visit process and the agency’s preparation. (See related story with dates and details.)
• Accepted with regret the resignation of Sarah Wakefield, School Psychologist (Marshalltown) at the end of the 2008-09 school year. Approved the retirement of Susan Rittgers, Teacher of Multi Disabilities/Resource (Dike-New Hartford High School), effective March 31, 2009, and resignation of Larry Bradley, Special Ed Consultant (Iowa Juvenile Home), effective January 31, 2009, pending suitable replacement.
• Reviewed the 500 series of board policies.
• Approved the office calendar for 2009-2010.
• Approved the 2009-2010 AEA 267 budget.
• Approved the second reading of the 300 series of board policies.
• Reviewed and approved the AEA 267 Annual Progress Report. (See related story.)
• Approved the application for a Roy J. Carver grant in the amount of $156,500 to support promotion of scientific inquiry and as well as a Marshalltown Community Foundation grant for $5000 to translate a career readiness DVD from English to Spanish.
• Discussed staff reduction considerations. (See related story.)
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.