Year: 2012

The annual AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey, which provides educators we serve with an opportunity to share feedback about our services, launched on Monday, March 5. Traditionally, our agency has enjoyed an enviable return rate on the survey (typically around 40%), which makes the data very useful.

What can/should you do as an AEA staff member? Encourage the educators you encounter to fill out the survey. We have much to be proud of in our relationship with districts as we work together to ensure that each child succeeds.  If you have a workshop planned with area educators,  build time into your agenda and have participants take the survey as their ticket out the door.

Access to the survey opened Monday and continues through April 6.  Educators can access the survey via this URL: http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/7145/ba57/ (AEA staff should not participate in the survey!)

Area Education Agency 267 (AEA 267) is pleased to announce that Julie Davies, currently the site superintendent for the AEA 267 Clear Lake office, has been selected as the agency’s new Educational Services Director. Davies will succeed Dr. Sara McInerny, who retired in December.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to serve the schools in AEA 267 in this new capacity.  I have a passion for the mission of Iowa’s AEAs and the many quality services it provides to children, families and educators,” said Davies.  “I believe our role in education has never been more critically important.”

In her new position, Davies will oversee 43 staff members who provide school improvement consulting services to nearly 5,000 educators throughout 18-counties of north central and northeastern Iowa. Her position will be based out of the agency’s Cedar Falls office.

“Julie has an exceptional reputation in the state and is known for her leadership in curriculum and instruction,” said Dr. Roark Horn, AEA 267 chief administrator.  “She has many established relationships and an incredible drive to make a difference for kids. Those we serve will greatly benefit from her leadership.”

Prior to being hired as the site superintendent for the agency in 2011, Davies held positions as the director for curriculum, instruction and assessment in the Western Dubuque Community School District, director of technology and curriculum at Okoboji Community School District, and served as a classroom teacher. She is in the process of completing her doctorate degree.

In early winter, Dr. Anne Sullivan, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Personnel, conducted focus groups with 12 groups in each region of the agency (Clear Lake, Marshalltown, and Cedar Falls). Each focus group was comprised of four to seven staff members including staff members from Educational Services, Early Childhood, Special Education consulting staff, and Speech Pathologists.

Participants were asked:

• What do you enjoy most about your job?
• What are your greatest challenges?
• What affect have recent financial cuts from the state had on your job and the people you serve?
• What else do you want me to know?

Staff members expressed a variety of views and opinions as well as appreciation for the opportunity. To learn more about the results, download the PowerPoint presentation shared at the February 8 AEA 267 Board of Directors meeting.

If you have already been approved for the Remote and/or Temporary Work Site Program(s) and you still qualify for participation, you need only complete the re-application form found on the staff website and submit it to your supervisor for his/her approval. Your supervisor will review the re-application form and return it to you. Your completed application must be received by the AEA 267 Personnel Office no later than Monday, March 31, 2012. If we do not receive your application by that date, we will assume that you do not wish to participate.

New Participants:

Thank you for interest in the Remote Work Site Program and/or the Temporary Work Site Program! Please read about the program requirements and details found on the staff website.   If you are still interested in applying, please complete the application form found on the page and submit it to your supervisor as soon as possible. Your supervisor will then review your application and return to you. Your completed application must be received by the AEA 267 Personnel Office no later than Monday, March 31, 2012.  If we do not receive your application by that date, we will assume you do not wish to participate.

If you have any questions, please submit them to your service area contacts, Larry Erion or Dr. Mary Stevens.  You can also call Dr. Anne Sullivan, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Personnel.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met February 8, 2012 at 6 p.m. for a public hearing on the 2012-13 AEA 267 proposed budget. The regular board meeting was held immediately following.

During the meeting the board:

• Heard a program review from Dr. Carol Sensor, Special Education Coordinator for Special Projects and Services Improvement, regarding the Learning Supports Team, including information on the team’s structure, goals, and the content areas supported.
• Approved resignations, employments and retirements. (See related post on Educational Services Director position.)
• Approved the 2012-13 AEA 267 budget.
• Approved the Second Reading of Board Policy 204.12 – Consent Agenda.
• Discussed how to proceed with a name change for our agency. The board discussed a list of “top 10” names from the previous process of naming and decided to give further thought over the next month to other options for a name.
• Reviewed the mileage reimbursement rate. Voted to keep the current rate at $.37/mile.
• Approved seeking quotes for the nutrition programs.
• Heard Dr. Roark Horn’s recommendations for satellite offices. Voted to close the Tama and Iowa Falls offices of AEA 267.
• Set a date for the deadline for filing objections to petition for reorganization of the Woden-Crystal Lake and Forest City Community School Districts (March 30 at noon) and set the date for hearing on objections filed (April 4).
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

Immediately after the regular meeting was adjourned, the AEA 267 Foundation Meeting was held.

What’s happening with our agency’s budget? What can we expect for next year? Dr. Roark Horn, Chief Administrator, files this report. (Be sure to click the play button.)

Everyone wants to present the most professional image they can in the work place; and now more than ever, we want our educational partners (and our colleagues) to view us as the “leaders in learning” that we truly are. Still, most of us value the opportunity to be more casual occasionally. Although it is has been customary in some offices to enjoy a norm of “casual Fridays” we’d like to extend that approach agency-wide. Thus, if you are someone who enjoys dressing more casually, please feel comfortable doing so on Friday (and yes, this includes dressy jeans for those that enjoy them). Please use your professional judgment in choosing “casual professional” choices. On other days, the expectation for dress is “official professional” which does not include jeans. Thanks for your cooperation!

Note: Exceptions to casual Friday attire would include presenting to outside partners, following the dress norms or policies of the district you serve, participating on an interview committee, and/or other circumstances which warrant more formal attire.

How can we structure our agency to provide administrative support to our AEA staff and local school districts so we can optimize our effectiveness in positively impacting children, families and educators? How can we work to ensure that even in times of declining resources and enrollment, we can still maintain high quality services? An important part of the answer to these questions is in a plan to redefine Special Education sector boundaries.

In this important podcast, Dr. Mary Stevens discusses the restructuring of the AEA 267 Special Education sectors, providing explanations and rationale behind the decision. (Be sure to click the play symbol.)

Download Mary’s Powerpoint presentation here. Download the new sector map here.