The Channel

The Channel - a blog for Central Rivers AEA staff and board members blog site header

Month: March 2009

  • Agency installs automatic defibrillators

    The agency has purchased three automatic defibrillator units to be installed in each main service delivery center conference area (Cedar Falls Conference Center, Marshalltown office and Clear Lake office). The purchase was part of the agency’s recently completed Emergency Response Plan which includes ensuring that all offices are equipped with emergency first aid kids, flashlights and staff members trained in basic first aid, CPR and defibrillator use. The conference centers were selected for the defibrillator installation because of the high traffic they receive.

  • AEA 267 says goodbye to longtime co-worker

    Deb McGowan, AEA 267 Program Specialist, died of a sudden illness on February 24. Deb was a 17-year veteran of the Area Education Agency system and was deeply respected and well liked by her co-workers. Deb treasured her family, especially her grandchildren, friends, singing, scrap booking, and following Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football. Support and sympathy are extended to her family, friends and co-workers.

  • AEA 267 Devonshire students lend a helping hand

    Students at AEA 267 Devonshire provided a helping hand to naturalists at Hartman Reserve Nature Center during the recent maple syrup production process. Their efforts were featured in the March 3 edition of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

  • March board meeting recap

    The AEA 267 Board of Directors met from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. on March 4, 2009 in the AEA 267 Administrative Conference Room for a Board Retreat session on collective bargaining. Afterwards the Audit Committee met from 5:30 – 5:45 p.m.

    The Board reconvened at 6:00 p.m. in the AEA 267 Conference Center in Cedar Falls for their regular meeting.

    During the regular meeting, the board:

    • Watched a presentation by Marc Groen, Special Education Support, on Naturally Speaking, an assistive technology device.
    • Accepted with regret the retirements of Mary Heber, Teacher of Mental Disabilities/Severe & Profound (River Hills), effective 01-12-09; Liz Wenger, Speech-Language Pathologist (Sector 3, Iowa Falls), effective 12/31/09; and Mary Beshir, Speech-Language Pathologist (Clear Lake); Pam Bottorff, Teacher of Multi Disabilities/Resource (New Hartford Elem.); Phoebe Drape, Teacher of Mental Disabilities (Tripoli Middle/High School); Al Hodapp, School Psychologist (Clear Lake); all effective end of 2008-09 school year.
    • Authorized Administration to seek bids for a school bus and van for next year.
    • Approved recommendations from AEA 267 Information Technology Service Area Director Jerry Schnabel for computer purchases.
    • Reviewed the 700 and 800 series of board policies: General Public Relations and Division Operations.
    • Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.