Author: Beth Strike

Although we’ve already had a taste of it, the full brunt of winter is just around the corner. Take some time now to review the inclement weather and emergency closing information (username: aeastaff/password: aea267ia) implemented in October of 2008 and be sure you are familiar with how decisions and announcements are made.

The 2009-10 United Way campaign has begun. Pledge sheets were sent to each AEA 267 employee this week and will be accepted in the AEA 267 Business Office until December 4, 2009. Please send completed pledge sheets to Betty Beauregard, AEA 267 Benefits Specialist, in the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Administrative Services Building.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met at 6 p.m. on November 4, 2009 in the AEA 267 Conference Center for their regular meeting.

During their regular meeting, the board:

• Heard a review from Early Childhood consultants about the support AEA 267 provides to preschool programs utilizing the Quality Preschool Program Standards.
• Approved the E2T2 agreement with Grant Wood AEA.
• Heard an update on the Clear Lake Remodeling Project.
• Heard a First Reading of Board Policy No. 801.2: Use of Copyrighted Material Policy.
• Heard a First Reading of Board Policy No. 704.1: Gifts to the Agency.
• Approved the Orientation and Mobility Services and Itinerant Teacher Services agreements with Statewide System for Vision Services (SSVS).
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

A Foundation Meeting was held immediately after the regular Board meeting. During their meeting the board:

• Heard a report from the River Hills Committee on fund raising.
• Heard an update on the River Hills Playground Project.
• Reviewed and approved the Black Hawk County Gaming Commission Application.

As you have probably heard, the Governor issued a 10% across-the-board cut late last week.  For AEA 267, the reduction means a loss of approximately $1.5 million in state funds.  While we had anticipated an across-the-board cut for some time, it turned out to be quite a bit larger than the 5-6% we were predicting.  With State revenues predicted to fall 8-9% short of prior expectations, including a 19% shortfall in August, the Governor’s response was inevitable.

Of major concern is how does this affect the Agency; and based upon questions I’ve received, how does this affect me?  I do not have clear answers at this time.  While we know the size of the cut, we also have property tax dollars, federal dollars, and one time ARRA funds to mix into the equation.

What is very likely to happen:

• Except where judged to be critical, unfilled positions will not be filled.
• New capital and equipment expenditures will be sharply curtailed, except where commitments have already been made.
• We will increase our efforts to use technology to reduce travel expenditure, turn out lights, lower thermostats, etc.
• We will have fewer employees in 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 and beyond.
• Our commitment to children, families, and educators will be as strong as ever.

What might happen:

• Retirements and resignations will cover the vast majority of anticipated needs to reduce the number of staff at AEA 267 due to long term funding cuts.
• Our assignments and work may need to be reviewed as we serve our schools within the confines of our resources.

What will most likely not happen:

• Immediate and massive lay-offs.  (We can use reserves for the short-term.)
• Status quo.  (We anticipate State revenues will be limited for a number of years.  We will need to adjust accordingly.)

I will keep you posted as developments take place. As always, thank you for your ongoing commitment to children, families and educators.

Recently, the novel H1N1 influenza, also known as the swine flu, has heightened the focus on preparing a response during an influenza outbreak. This steps below outline procedures to follow when a staff member becomes a victim of an influenza outbreak.

Personal Illness
A staff member with symptoms of influenza, such as fever and/or respiratory illness, should immediately consult a medical doctor for treatment. Anyone with a fever should take sick leave according to the prevailing procedures and should not come back to work. If it is confirmed that a staff member has contracted novel H1N1 he/she should take sick leave and notify his/her supervisor immediately. The supervisor then contacts Personnel who will move forward with additional leave options & Family Medical Leave Act notification, if necessary.

Caring for a family member who is ill
If a staff member’s family/household member has contracted H1N1 flu but the staff member concerned does not have symptoms of the influenza, he/she should notify his/her supervisor immediately. While the staff member concerned will not be required to provide a doctor’s note, he/she may be required to provide supporting information, such as the name of the infected family/household member, and the date when the infected family member was confirmed to have contracted swine flu. The staff member should apply for family sick leave following under the normal procedures. Personnel will move forward with additional leave options & Family Medical Leave Act notification, if necessary. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Personnel Office at 319-273-8245.

All staff members are asked to review the agency’s comprehensive H1N1 plan now available on the staff website under Health and Wellness Resources (user name: aeastaff/password: aea267ia).

The AEA 267 Professional Development Office began experimenting with an interactive tool on the website that allows users to hold a live “chat” with an AEA 267 professional development staff member in seeking help to professional development related questions.

“We are really excited about this tool,” said Dr. Sara McInerny, Service Area Director for Educational Services. “We are working really hard to be responsive to customer requests in professional development and this allows us to cut down on response time significantly. It’s a very innovative approach.”

The AEA 267 Board of Directors held a public hearing at 6 p.m. on October 7, 2009 in the AEA 267 Clear Lake Office to hear public comments regarding the Clear Lake remodeling project. No visitors were in attendance to speak for or against the remodeling proposal.

The 2008-2009 Board met in the Clear Lake Office at 6:05 p.m. and moved to adjourn the final meeting of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors, thanking members for their dedication in directing the agency through another successful year of operation.

The 2009-2010 Board of Directors met at 6:15 p.m. and Board Secretary Kerri Wilson administered the Oath of Office to newly elected board members: Charles Vaughn, Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson, Richard Vande Kieft and Debra Rich.

During their regular meeting, the board:

• Elected Charlotte Upah as President and Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson as Vice President. Kerri Wilson administered the oath of office to each newly elected officer.
• Appointed Kerri Wilson as Board Secretary and Dennis Scudder as Board Treasurer.
• Toured the AEA 267 Clear Lake facility, focusing on the areas that are to be remodeled.
• Heard the recommendations of the architect on bids received and selected the best bid,  Larson Construction, to begin work on the project immediately.
• Set meeting dates and times for the 2009-2010 board meetings. Board meetings will continue to be held on the first Wednesday evening of the month.
• Approved the following appointments: Charlotte Upah and Darrel Lind as alternates to the AEA Legislative Committee (also serving as representative to the IASB Delegate Assembly); Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson with Susan Klaessy as alternates to the AEA Executive Committee.
• Approved Wells Fargo Bank and F & M Bank as depositories of AEA funds.
• Approved Steve Weidner as the board’s legal counsel for 2009-2010.
• Motioned to hire Tina Csukker, Teacher of Early Childhood Special Education (Castle Hill) and Sara Smith, Speech-Language Pathologist (Sector 2);
• Heard a report regarding the 2008-2009 fiscal year and a preview of 2009-2010 from Dennis Scudder.
• Approved reciprocal transportation agreements between neighboring school districts.
• Approved the agreement with Four Oaks Family and Children’s Services to partner with AEA 267 in providing the educational program for students in the Four Oaks Independence Facility.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

Four teachers from AEA 267 River Hills School will travel to Minneapolis this month to present ideas on how to provide literacy to all children through the use of adapted books. Heather Kruger, Cynthia Gitta, Diana Scott and Jenny Schlader will present to educators from all over the world at the 2009 Closing the Gap conference. Congratulations!