April board recap

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met April 6, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the AEA 267 Conference Center for their regular meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Accepted with regret the retirements of Mary Bing, School Social Worker (Cedar Falls); David J. Kisilewski, School Psychologist (Clear Lake); M. Jean Meehan, Speech-Language Pathologist (Independence), all retiring effective end of 2009-10 school year; Janis Smith, Speech-Language Pathologist (Eldora) and Arlys Stevens, Physical Therapist (Eldora), both retiring effective December 31, 2010.

• Accepted with regret the resignations of Denise Dermody, Occupational Therapist (Cedar Falls); Amy Griswold, Consultant for Reading/Language Arts (Cedar Falls); Pam Johnson, Teacher of Early Childhood Special Education (East Buchanan Elem.); Bonnie May, School Psychologist (Sector 9);  Maria Peth, Teacher of Multi Disabilities-Resource (on leave from Waverly-Shell Rock High School); Nicole Pritchard, School Psychologist (Sector 9), all resigning effective end of the 2009-10 school year; and Dan Ryan, Teacher of Multi Disabilities-SCI (Eldora) resigning effective May 31, 2010.

• Approved a lease for new printer/copiers for the AEA 267 Print and Production centers with Advance Systems/Infomax. According to Dave Johnson, Print and Production Supervisor, the new lease will save the agency approximately $64,000. “We were able to right size the equipment and get a very good price from our vendors. We will be able to pass these savings on to schools,” said Johnson.
• Approved the purchase of a new school bus for preschool program from Thomas Bus Sales in Des Moines.
• Approved discontinuing the AEA 267 Coop Purchasing Program due to better pricing and efficiency in using the Iowa Educators’ Consortium effective September 30, 2010.
• Approved a grant application to the NEA Foundation for $5000.
• Approved the Business Associate Agreement with Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.
• Received the Chief Administrator’s recommendations to terminate licensed staff contracts due to staff reduction needs.
• Approved the 2010-2011 contract for Employee Benefits Consultant/Broker Services with Gallagher Benefit Services.
• Accepted with regret the resignation of Susan Klaessy, AEA 267 board member for Director District 8. Klaessy is a longtime advocate of AEA services and first served as a board member for Area Education Agency 6. An election will be held in Marshalltown next month for Susan’s replacement.
• Approved reciprocal transportation agreement between Allison-Bristow and Aplington-Parkersburg.
• Approved the renewal agreement for Iowa School Cash Anticipation Program (ISCAP) participation.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

The Board reconvened at 6 p.m. in the AEA 267 Conference Center for a closed session as per Iowa code 21.5(1)i, with G. Tryon and Associates to select four semi finalists for Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Personnel interviews. Roark Horn, who will begin his duties as the agency’s new Chief Administrator on July 1, was present to help in the selection process.