Year: 2011

The Board met April 6, 2011 at the Ellsworth Community College Campus in Iowa Falls for a Joint meeting of AEA 267, North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) and Iowa Valley Community College. The regular board meeting was held at 7 p.m. after the joint meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review by Julie Graber, Consultant for Technology and Learning, on Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW). The goal of this professional development initiative is to increase student learning by engaging students in authentic intellectual work. Authentic Intellectual Work is defined by three criteria: construction of knowledge, through disciplined inquiry, to produce discourse, products, and performance that has value beyond school.
• Accepted with regret the retirements of Judy Barber, Speech-Language Pathologist (Grinnell); Jacquilyn R. Mason, Speech-Language Pathologist (Marshalltown); Carolyn Maschmann, Speech-Language Pathologist (Grinnell); Mary Nichols, Special Education Consultant (Cedar Falls); Patricia Notestine, Speech-Language Pathologist (Clear Lake) all retiring end of 2010-11 school year.
• Accepted with regret the resignations of Eric Doyle, Technology Systems Specialist (to become non-union employee for 2011-12); Julie Duer, Speech-Language Pathologist (Marshalltown); Susan Jarnagin, School Psychologist (Clear Lake); Shawna Perry, Speech-Language Pathologist (Waterloo); and Virginia Warner, Teacher of Behavior Disorders (AEA 267 Bremwood School), all resigning end of 2010-11 school year.
• Motioned to hire Melissa Hesner, Consultant for Science (Cedar Falls).
• Authorized purchase of a 19-passenger bus for pre-school programs.
• Approved purchase of two Info Tech delivery vans.
• Authorized the administration to purchase computers for the 2011-12 school year.
• Approved resolution for Iowa School Cash Anticipation Program (ISCAP) participation.
• Approved resolution for Iowa Schools Finance Information Services (ISFIS).
• Renewed the lease with North Iowa Community Action Organization for the Charles City sector office.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.
• A Board Strategy Session for Collective Bargaining was held immediately after the Board meeting.

What’s happening in the legislature with respect to potential cuts to the AEA system? What decisions have been made regarding budget? AEA 267 Chief Administrator, Roark Horn, provides an update in his latest podcast.

If you haven’t been using the AEA Online databases and resources, you’ve been missing out! But if you are a new user, you’ll love the new line-up of resources coming your way beginning August 1. Iowa AEA Online is a virtual library that provides no-cost access to 12 high-quality, web-based resources for accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools. Students and staff have access at school and at home. Iowa AEA Online is funded and supported by Iowa’s Area Education Agencies.

The 2011-12 AEA Online line-up includes:

• AccuWeather (PreK-12): Local and international weather conditions and forecasts for research, presentations and projects. AP Images (PreK-12): Over 7 million primary-source photographs from the 1800’s up to a minute ago, over 1.9 million sound bites from the 1920’s up to a minute ago, 230,000 maps, charts and timelines, and 2.5 million text news stories from The Associated Press.
• Atomic Learning (PreK-12) Professional development resources and curriculum materials to infuse 21st century skills into the classroom. Includes access to over 50,000 tutorials.
• BookFLIX (PreK-3): An online literacy resource that pairs fictional video storybooks with related nonfiction books. Read-aloud feature provides accessibility to all readers. Vocabulary feature and interactive games extend student learning.
• Britannica Digital Learning (PreK-12): A suite of products designed to support student research and classroom instruction, Britannica Digital Learning offers an extensive collection of reference and learning materials that are curriculum aligned and age-appropriate.
• CultureGrams (K-12): An insider’s perspective on daily life and culture, including the history, customs, and lifestyles of the world’s people.
• Gale – Cengage Learning (PreK-12): An eResource package offering screened and reliable content from magazines, newspapers, and reference materials. Ten different resources are designed for age-appropriate access.
• iCLIPART For Schools (PreK-12): A collection of more than 7.8 million royalty-free photos, clipart, fonts, animations, and sounds that can be used in multimedia presentations, Inspiration diagrams, school websites, worksheets, newsletters, posters, signs, and more.
• Learn360 (PreK-12): Educational streaming media offering thousands of full-length digital videos, video clips, images, audio files, newsreels, speeches and a comprehensive library of teaching resources from educational publishers.
• SIRS Issues Researcher (9-12): Exploration of the origins, perspectives, and essential questions under debate on over 300 pro/con social issues. Review thousands of highly targeted articles, primary sources, statistics, websites, and multimedia. Articles are read-aloud enabled and searchable by Lexile reading levels.
• soundzabound (PreK-12): Licensed audio that can be used without copyright infringement in videos, podcasts, and other forms of multimedia. The MP3 audio files are cross platform for use in any Mac or PC software that incorporates audio.
• Teen Health & Wellness (7-12): Provides students with nonjudgmental, straightforward, standards-aligned, curricular and self-help support. Topics include diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, mental health, suicide, bullying, green living, online safety, financial literacy, and more.

To learn more, contact Deb Culp at 641-844-2492. Download a flyer with complete information as a reference.

An incredible day of learning and making connections is being planned for the annual Office Support Professionals’ Day (OSPD) on Monday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the AEA 267 Clear Lake Office. AEA 267 Chief Administrator, Roark Horn, and AEA 267 Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Personnel, Dr. Anne Sullivan, will begin the day with a welcome and motivational message followed by two high-level sessions around the following three topics:

• Google Apps – including Google docs; spreadsheets, drawings, gmail; calendar, presentations and forms. Google Apps are on the internet and can be shared easily with others.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro – software allows the user to create, read and manage Portable Document Format (PDF) documents. Some of the features include: converting existing forms into fillable PDF forms or creating originals using templates; ability to transmit files between computers with different applications; combining and compressing a variety of files into one PDF. This session is just an introduction to PDFs. More in-depth training will be offered at a later date.

• Digital Storefront – simplifies and automates the entire print procurement and production process. Delivers added convenience and time savings for print customers; improves productivity for print shops.

All of these tools will help you be more efficient and effective in your positions. We will also have the opportunity to tour the newly remodeled Clear Lake Office. We will end the day with an uplifting message.

Please register online at http://www.aea267.k12.ia.us by March 14, 2011.

1. Click on Professional Development.
2. Click on AEA 267 Offerings.
3. Enter user name and password (information was transferred from previous system) or create a new account. If you have forgotten your user name and password – Click “Forgot Password” and enter your email. You will receive your user name and password in an email immediately.
4. Under the Course Section of the page, enter Section #6254 and Course #3981.
5. Click on any blue print in the section box.
6. Click on Register. When registering must accept/decline that you’ve read the disclaimer messages –both course specific and general course registration (refund policy).
7. You will see a registration confirmation which you may print.

If you have questions or concerns about the registration process,
please contact Hether Gustafson at 319-268-7662. If you need special accommodations or have special dietary needs, please contact Kerri Wilson at 319-273-8201.

See you there!

The AEA 267 Equity Committee has added a new section to the AEA 267 website filled with resources and tools regarding Section 504. Visit today if this information is helpful in your role!

The annual AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey, which provides educators we serve with an opportunity to share feedback about our services, launches on Monday, March 7. Traditionally, our agency has enjoyed an enviable return rate on the survey (typically around 40%), which makes the data very useful.

Please encourage teachers and school administrators you work with to respond to the survey. They will be receiving a link to the survey via email.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met March 2, 2011 at 6 p.m. in the Cedar Falls Conference Center for the regular board meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review by Beth Strike, AEA 267 Communications Specialist, on the results of the AEA System Communications Audit.
• Accepted with regret the retirements of Joan Greenlee, Teacher of Behavioral Disorders (Carey Elementary – Waverly); and Connie Collins, Teacher of Multi Disabilities-Resource (Durant Elementary – Sumner), both retiring at end of 2010-11 school year.
• Motioned to hire Gregory J. Koppes, Special Education Principal (Castle Hill School) effective May 2, 2011.
• Authorized administration to seek bids on a 19-passenger bus for preschool programs.
• Approved renewal/amendment of ICN contract for internet services.
• Approved reciprocal transportation agreements between:

1. Mason City and Rockwell-Swaledale
2. Mason City and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock
3. Mason City and North Central (Central Springs)
4. Mason City and Nora Springs-Rock Falls

• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

What’s happening with respect to cuts in education funding in Iowa? How will the agency be impacted if severe budget cuts are imposed by the legislature? How will programs and services be impacted? AEA 267 Chief Administrator Roark Horn answers these questions and others in this special update.

What cuts are being considered?

• The House has passed House File 45 which proposes to cut state government spending by $48 million in the year ending June 30, and $496 million more over the next two years. The bill includes a $10 million cut to the AEA system–beginning in this fiscal year–and in years to come.
• The Governor has proposed a $20 million cut to AEAs in his proposed budget.
• It projected that the education will be given between 0-2% allowable growth in spending.
• $1.6 million in ARRA (American Recovery Reinvestment Act) funds will no longer be provided beginning in 2011-12.

Resources and advice on contacting your legislator

• To find your legislator, go to the Iowa Legislature’s website at http://www.legis.iowa.gov/Legislators/find.aspx
• If you plan to share stories or your political opinions with any legislators, do NOT send it via agency email. Use your own personal email account. It is against the law for AEA employees to lobby the legislature using agency email or stationery. Also, do not send any such messages during agency work hours, as that would also be a violation of the law.
• Tell your own personal story about how the cuts could impact the services you provide or the children, families and educators you serve. Personal stories have a far greater impact than any “template” or form letters.

More tips for contacting legislators:

• Be sure to identify yourself each time you meet a legislator. Legislators and their staffs meet many people during the session. They cannot be expected to remember who everyone is and it’s embarrassing to put them in that position. Until you are on a first-name basis, be sure that you identify yourself, your AEA, and remind them of your special interest.
• Know your legislators, their party affiliation, area of expertise, geographical area served, and committee assignments. Take time to get to know each one from your area personally, and be aware of political ideologies. Keep a notebook on legislators’ past votes and the positions taken on issues. Keep a list handy of home and office phone numbers.
• Know who’s got the power. Since it is virtually impossible to become acquainted with all legislators you should concentrate on who is in leadership positions. Every legislature has a leadership structure, legislators who can dictate how others will vote and how legislation is worded. These are the people to know!
• Keep track of where your legislation stands. No legislator can keep track of the status of all proposed legislation. While you may be interested in one particular bill, the legislator cannot afford that luxury. It becomes your job to know the status and components of the bill that concerns you. You should know where that bill is at all times, sub-committee, full committee, on the calendar for debate, etc. By having this information, you are not only perceived as being knowledgeable, but also a help to the legislator and that’s the name of the game.
• Be brief with your appeal. Legislators are busy people, and your case is not well served by overstaying your time or by writing too long a letter. Follow up periodically; a reminder is helpful. When talking with a legislator, NEVER give misleading facts. Once you lose credibility, you will seldom win it back.
• Show your appreciation. Legislators are human and appreciate strokes like anyone else. Commend them for a favorable vote and urge others to do so, too. Be quick to commend and slow to criticize.
• Combat negativism. Inevitably you will find a legislator who does not support your position. Don’t give up. Keep the door open. Sometimes legislators change their minds when they learn more facts. Once you see their minds won’t be changed, remain just as cordial as before. There may be more votes in the future, and legislators have good memories.
• Contact legislators year-round. It’s very difficult to build relationships with legislators when you see them once or twice a year and only when you need their help. A quick visit or periodic phone call on their home turf can pay dividends in the end.
• Personal letters should be specific and in your own words. Letter-writing campaigns with identically worded contents are not very effective. Letters will most likely be read if the envelope is plain white and hand-written. Never use pre-printed labels.
• Legislators do scan newsletters, especially eye-catching ones. A good strategy is to group in one section articles you particularly want them to read. Do this every time, and they’ll get in the habit of looking there.
• That dirty word Money! When an issue comes up, and legislators are suddenly surrounded by people wanting their votes, most legislators wonder where all these suddenly concerned people were during the election. In other words, provide financial support to candidates who share your views. If you can’t contribute money, contribute time to aid them in their campaigns. This, too, will be remembered.

-Wayne Haddy, AEA Government Relations Specialist

(Revised January 17, 2011)

The agency Polycom units continue to be the most popular way for agency staff to conduct planning and other types of meetings. To maximize the effectiveness of this valuable technology, a new set of resources have been added to the staff website under “Tips for Polycom Use.” Kudos to Cheryl Carruthers and Deb Culp for the work that went in to developing these helpful documents!