Final decisions on educational appropriations were made by the State Legislature on the last day of the this year’s session, which occurred after I conducted budget hearings at the main offices. There was good news and bad news regarding the AEAs. We are getting the 2% in supplemental state aid (formerly allowable growth), so increased revenue to us on that will be about $450,000. But the language in the bill was written in such a way that AEAs would not receive the additional 2% in the “2% + 2%” proposal. This was a surprise and we believe this was not the legislative intent. We are trying to get this addressed, but it is possible it will stand as passed since the legislature has adjourned. That will cost AEA 267 about $450,000 in additional revenue. The good news, however, is that the Legislature did restore some of the $20 million cut that we have been under for the past two years. They gave the AEAs back $5 million, which is an additional increase for 267 of about $700,000. Negotiated settlements have been reached, but some are yet to be ratified. Once that is all done it appears that for next year expenses will exceed revenues by about $1.5 million. This continues us on the wrong trajectory, but if everyone continues the current practice of working together to manage expenses there is hope that we can pause or reverse that trajectory in 2014-15.

The close of the fiscal year is nearly upon us. Your cooperation in honoring the following deadlines is critical to the work of the Business Office as we work to meet Department of Education deadlines for Special Ed billings as well as other state and federal regulations. While July 2 is the final deadline for the items below, please do not hold on to these items if they are ready for processing. Your assistance in sending them on to us as quickly as possible is appreciated!

July 2 is the final deadline for the following items:

• Timesheets & mileage (including expense reimbursement) from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

• Payments (invoices) to vendors for services incurred prior to July 1, 2013.

Invoices to customers the AEA has provided goods or services to during the 2012-13 fiscal year must be submitted to the Business Office as soon as possible so that we may complete the billing process. Be sure to include only goods or services provided on or before June 30.

Questions? Please contact Sarah Brown.

Please be sure that in setting your summer calendar, you are making plans now to attend your sector’s August meeting. As a reminder, these meetings will be devoted both to sector-related business as well as agency updates. All meetings will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

• Monday, August 12: Northwest Sector (AEA 267 Clear Lake Office)

• Tuesday, August 13: Northeast Sector (Waverly High School, Rada Auditorium)

• Wednesday, August 14: East Sector (AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center)

• Thursday, August 15: South Sector (AEA 267 Marshalltown Office)

The agenda will include detailed information regarding the new employee self-service portal (“iVisions”), updates regarding agency Leadership Teams, Collaborating for Iowa’s Kids, the AEA/DE New Compact and honoring staff for their years of service with the agency.

Although it may not seem like it outside, summer is nearly here! Beginning Monday, June 10,  AEA 267 summer office hours will be 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.  Regular hours will resume August 12.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe, relaxing and sunshine-filled summer!

If you have not already enrolled online for your annual benefits, the deadline is June 13. Everyone must complete this process even if you are declining insurance, resigning or retiring.  Please visit the iVisions portal for a video tutorial or download the Benefits enrollment instructions for review.

For more information, contact Shirley Horak.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met on June 5, 2013 at 4 p.m. for a work session in the AEA 267 Administrative Services Building on the Cedar Falls campus.  The purpose of the session was to conduct the annual professional growth conference with the Chief Administrator as well as receive updates regarding the New Compact and Collaborating for Kids.

The regular board meeting was held at 6 p.m. in the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center.  During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review regarding the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) web system from Gina Greene and Margie Jensen.
• Approved an agreement with Morningside College for 2013-14.
• Approved an agreement with Viterbo University for 2013-14.
• Renewed the agreement with Eldora-New Providence Schools for rental space.
• Approved the Grinnell Office lease for 2013-14.
• Approved a lease with the Hampton-Dumont Community School District for meeting space for 2013-14.
• Approved the lease agreement with Lutheran Services for Bremwood classrooms for 2013-14.
• Approved contracting with Jester Insurance for Agent of Record services for Worker’s Compensation Insurance including the Retro program for 2013-14.
• Approved the EMC Insurance program for 2013-14.
• Approved the E-Rate Management proposal for 2013-14.
• Approved a resolution authorizing issuance of individual procurement cards.
• Approved an agreement with BMO for the Iowa Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) supported procurement card program.
• Reviewed the Board Policy and Regulation 603.9 Credit Cards.
• Determined the legislative priorities for Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) for 2014.
• Closed the session for collective bargaining.
• Returned to open session.
• Ratified the contract with Communications Workers of America (CWA).
• Set the 2013-14 Non-Union Support and Administrative Staff salaries and total package costs.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and board members.

AEA 267 Human Resources and Business Office staff are working hard to complete the construction of the new employee self-service portal known as iVisions. The portal will give staff members “24/7” access to personal benefit, compensation and leave information in addition to all business and human resources forms previously found on the AEA 267 staff website.

In the coming weeks, AEA 267 staff members will receive a letter with instructions for registering and logging into the iVisions system along with the mandatory completion of benefits enrollment. Annual benefit enrollment for insurance and flexible spending opens May 13 and ends June 13, 2013.  Please look for an email on May 13, 2013 regarding the online enrollment process.  Personal benefit information will be mailed to your home address later this week.  Please hang on to this information as you may need it when enrolling online.  Stay tuned!

In conjunction with unveiling the new iVisions portal, the AEA 267 staff website has received a facelift and will feature a more visually appealing format as well as some changes in content. Watch for changes in the coming weeks.

The results of the annual AEA/DE Customer Satisfaction Survey are in. While we saw some decreases in favorable responses in a handful of categories, we also saw some increases. Agency Leadership Teams will be studying the data (along with the comments provided by respondents) and forming action plans as needed. Stay tuned for more information!