Year: 2013

November is upon us and that means that the potential for severe winter weather is increasing. Please be sure that you have taken time to thoroughly review the information on the inclement weather page of our staff website. (Use your email login and password to gain access.) This page provides all of the details you will need to learn about cancellations and closures as well as updated procedures and answers to your most frequently asked questions about weather-related travel. If you have questions after reviewing this information, please visit with your supervisor. Stay safe and please exercise good personal judgement at all times!

A huge thank you to members of our Administrative Cabinet who have allowed us to expose their lighter side on our agency Facebook page. Since social media is all about “being social” and using stories to gain attention, we have featured stories about several Administrative Cabinet members and what they recall about their early days of teaching as part of our “Throwback Thursday” theme. The stories (and the great pictures that accompany them!) have done exactly what they were designed to do–garner more page “likes” and interaction with those we serve. Are you on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest or Twitter? You are encouraged to like/follow AEA 267 in all these places and share your stories and comments! Please also consider sharing our social media sites with others and asking them to follow/like us. Social media presents an incredible opportunity to reach others and tell them the AEA story which we hope translates into advocacy and support. If you aren’t following us on these sites, you may be missing out on some great stories about our work and staff accomplishments!

The AEA 267 cell phone directory is completely updated and available on our staff website for your use. Formats are available both for print or viewing on the web. Kudos to Laura Rinnels, Cindi Helgeson, Hether Gustafson and Kathy Enslin for their work in putting this important resource together!

Earlier this year, the Iowa Department of Education commissioned two independent reports with regard to the Iowa Assessments, which schools are required by Iowa Code to administer for accountability purposes.

The objective of these reports was twofold:

1. To determine the level of alignment between our Iowa Core standards and the reading and math portions of the Iowa Assessments in grades 3-8, 10 and 11.

2. To set performance standards for the Iowa Assessments at each grade level to indicate students’ college and career readiness.

Data Recognition Corporation was chosen through a competitive-bidding process to complete these reports: Iowa Assessments Standard Setting Technical Report  and Iowa Report on Math and Reading. While the purpose of these reports was to comply with U.S. Department of Education requirements, it was hoped that the reports would add context to an ongoing discussion around the future of accountability testing in Iowa.

Iowa’s students and schools deserve a high-quality accountability assessment that is aligned to our statewide standards. This is critical not only in our efforts to determine whether schools are meeting Adequate Yearly Progress targets under the federal No Child Left Behind law, but also in our efforts to improve our education system.

We are pleased to welcome Bryan Burton to our board as the representative for Director District 8 serving Waterloo. Bryan is an Engagement Lead for the Blue Zones Project in Cedar Falls. He and his wife and three children live in Waterloo. He is very active on a number of boards. Look for more information about Bryan in an upcoming edition of Intersections!

Every five years, the agency participates in an accreditation site visit facilitated by the Iowa Department of Education. The site visit serves as an opportunity to ensure that AEA standards for service are being met and that progress is being made toward goals. The agency’s site visit will be held on April 22-24, 2014. In the coming months, staff members directly involved with providing service in the agency’s core work areas may be asked to participate in the visit through structured interviews. In the meantime, if you are responsible for a core work write-up, please ensure that it is complete! We hope to put our best foot forward during the site visit process and showcase the incredible work being done on behalf of children by our staff and those we serve! For more information, contact Dr. Jon McKenzie.

Iowa’s AEAs are teaming up to provide a series of mini-webinars this year.  A shout-out to all AEA technology integration consultants who are providing leadership and making this happen! These short sessions will run at various times throughout several days this year and will cover the topics around themes: English Language Arts, STEM, Digital Learning Day: Resources for MTSS/RtI, iPads. The Hangouts on Air will only be 10-20 minutes and run throughout the day. Visit the website to check out the hangout schedule and dates! The hangouts will be recorded and posted on the page with resources so if you can’t attend live you can always go back and watch later.

The AEA 267 Human Resources office continues to receive questions concerning cell phone use and reimbursement for staff members.   AEA 267 employees have several options when considering cell phone use involving agency business.  Options that employees may consider would include the following:

1. Purchase a Track Phone.  Most track phones cost $105 for 1000 minutes.  We have several employees who are utilizing this option and all seem to feel this is a good option for them.  Since the agency reimburses employees $10 per month for cell phones, this reimbursement should cover the cost of the phones.  This option gives the employee a working cell phone number that is agency specific and allows personal cell phone numbers to remain private.   Employees with questions on Track phones, may contact Dr. Jerry Schnabel for more details.
2. Google Voice.  Google Voice is a web-based communication platform for linking multiple phones to a single phone number.  Specific instructions for securing a Google Voice account can be secured from the Info Tech Department or for additional help, please visit the Google Voice Help Section.
3. Add another line to your existing phone plan.  Several cell phone providers offer family packages with cellular phone contracts.  Most cell phone companies contacted indicated an additional line would cost approximately $10 per month.  This additional line would have a cell phone number different from your personal cell number.  The advantage of this option would be that you could use the same phone for work and for personal use.  Again, the agency reimburses employees $10 per month for cell phone use.  This should cover the cost of the additional line.
4. NQ Call Blocker.  I am not very familiar with this cell phone option, but it was discussed during the Labor and Management meeting this month.  This is a free service application that can be downloaded to your smart phone from the Internet.

Please don’t forget that Verizon, U.S. Cellular and AT&T all offer “Educator Discounts” for cell phones.  These discounts vary from 18% to 20% savings on your monthly bill.  For more information on the “Educator Discount”, please contact your cell phone provider.  Some of the providers require an annual registration to maintain the discount.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met November 6, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for their regular meeting. During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review showcasing InfoTech efforts to use webinars to provide professional development for teachers around text complexity and online resources. The program was presented by Cheryl Carruthers and Jane Frizzell.

• Following a second reading, approved board policies:

  • 507.1-Student Wellness

  • 401.31-Employee Background Checks

• Heard a first reading of board policies:

  • 401.5-Physical Examinations and Fitness

  • Reviewed the 100 and 200 series of board policies

• Approved the Educator Quality Committee members.

• Approved the AEA 267 Advisory Committee members.

• Approved the Title III grant agreement for 2013-14 with the Iowa Department of Education.

• Approved the contract with Dr. Ann Mausbach for Align the Design professional learning.

• Approved the reciprocal transportation agreements between the following school districts:

  • Central Springs and RRMR

  • Clear Lake and West Fork

  • Mason City and Central Springs

  • Mason City and Clear Lake

  • Mason City and RRMR

  • Mason City and West Fork

  • Osage and RRMR

  • Osage and St. Ansgar

• Tabled the consideration of bids for the purchase of media vans.

• Approved the agreement with Hampton-Dumont CSD for the Ladders to Learning program for 2013-14.

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