Author: Beth Strike

Did that headline grab your attention? Of course you make a difference! Every day, AEA 267 staff members are doing incredible things to improve the lives of children and families and/or positively impact teaching and learning where they work.

Beth Strike is in need of your success stories! What makes a great success story? Stories have a better chance of attracting news media interest when they meet one or more of the following criteria: (1.) the story is current; (2.) there is a local angle; (3.) well-known organizations or people are involved from the community–could be a partnership we have with another organization; (4.) there is something “unique” or different about the story (this really helps!); (5.) the story has a “human” element to it to grab the reader/viewer’s attention (perfect for the type of stories we have to share); (6.) there is some conflict involved (typically not stories we like to involve ourselves in); and/or (7.) the story topic presents something completely new.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

• What has happened in the past month, six months or year that is new, different or relevant in the way the service or program you are involved in is delivered, received or administered?

• Can we provide a case study (with names) of a student, family, teacher or AEA staff person that exemplifies an agency service/program? Keep in mind that we need people who are very willing to share their story.

• Have you won a significant award in your field?

• Can a development in one of our services tie into a well-known week, day or event?

• Do you have a well-known expert coming to speak to educators or others?

• What significant projects are we partnering with other organizations on?

• Is there a trend that we could provide comment on?

Remember to contact Beth Strike to make all contacts with the news media. Your story ideas are welcome!

Thank you to everyone who donated both cash and prizes for the 2013 Food Bank Drive. Together, we were able to raise $1,887 to help stock food pantries in Iowa. What a great accomplishment! Special thanks to Kerri Wilson, Donna Perry, Morgan Frederick, Tricia Petersen, Joan Coffin, Beth Strike, and Lori Thomas for their support and assistance with this process.

On December 18, a random number generator was used to pick the winners of the prizes donated by our administrative staff. The winners are:

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 6 p.m. via a conference call from the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for their regular meeting. During the meeting, the board:

• Approved the 2014-15 proposed budget for publication.

• Approved the first reading of the following board policies:

  • 300 Series (Administration)

  • 400 Series (Personnel)

• Approved the agreement with Dunkerton CSD for the Ladders to Learning program for the 2013-14 school year.

• Tabled a recommendation for an Insurance Consultant.

• Tabled action on the purchase of Media Vans.

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

Please change your voice mail greeting and set an away message to your email during the holiday breaks so that callers and/or e-mailers will know when they can expect to hear from you.

Voice mail example:

“Hello, this is (your name). Our office will be closed beginning Monday, December 23 and will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2014.  Please leave your name, telephone number and a detailed message and I will call when I return. Thank you!”

Email “away” message example:

“Thank you for your email.  I will be out of the office beginning Monday, December 23 through January 1 and will respond to your email upon my return. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!”

If you need assistance with either task, please visit with your administrator.

Many thanks to Kandi Beinfang-Lee for her contributions to our latest success story which highlights the impact of AEA services on student achievement. Watch and learn how Nicki Schaumberg, a recent graduate of Forest City CSD, achieved academic success with the help of AEA 267 staff and her local teachers.

According to Food Bank of Iowa, one in five Iowa children do not have enough food to eat. For every $1 donation, five meals can be provided to needy families in our area. From now until December 17, AEA 267 staff members are invited to donate funds to support area food pantries. For every $1 you donate, your name will be entered into a raffle for prizes donated by AEA 267 team members.

To help fill the area food pantries (and possibly win a great prize), take your monetary donation to Kerri Wilson in Cedar Falls, Lori Thomas in Clear Lake, Morgan Frederick in Marshalltown, or any satellite office or special school secretary.

Prizes include over $350 in gift cards to places like Hy-Vee, Subway, Olive Garden, Walmart, and Target; incredible gift baskets, and a grand prize of season tickets to a major sporting event!

Hopefully at this point, most staff are having success in navigating the iVisions portal for their Human Resources and Business Office needs. One thing you may have noticed is that the system does not send an automated message reminding you that your salary has been deposited each month. However, this information, and much more, is available anytime to you with just a few clicks. Once logged in to the portal, use the “My Compensation” menu to access your most current pay stub, calendar year, W2 information, total compensation, and tax withholding forms. (Please be sure your current address is entered in the system for W-2 mailings! You can update this information using the “My Personal Information” menu.) Interested in knowing whether your expense claim has been paid? Simply go to the My Toolbox>Expense Reimbursements>Navigate to the Expense Reimbursement. Then click the “apply” button to view the reimbursement history.

Please contact Sarah Brown if you need further assistance. Thanks for your patience as we all learn the ins and outs of iVisions!

Winter weather has arrived bringing frigid temperatures, snow and marginal road conditions at times. 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!

Although summer is still many months away, please be aware that the sector meetings for 2014 have been set. Please add your sector’s meeting date to your calendar and plan now to attend! Details regarding the day will be shared closer to August.

Monday, August 11 (NW Sector, Clear Lake Office)

Tuesday, August 12 (NE Sector, site to be determined)

Wednesday, August 13 (East Sector, Cedar Falls Office)

Thursday, August 14 (South Sector, Marshalltown Office)

The 2014-2015 rates for Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) are in. For the first time in seven years the rates will not increase. Currently, employees are paying 5.95% and the AEA is contributing 8.93% of your covered wages. These rates will continue through June of 2015.

In an effort to conserve energy, please be aware that many AEA 267 offices will reduce the heat over break. Offices will be considered closed and may not be at a comfortable temperature for working for long periods. Enjoy the comforts of home and an extended break away from work!

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for their regular meeting. During the meeting, the board:

• Heard an update on Climate/Culture from Dr. Mary Stevens, Director of Special Education, Julie Davies, Director of Educational Services and Dr. Jerry Schnabel, Director of Information & Technology.

• Approved the second reading of the following board policies:

  • 100 Series

  • 200 Series

  • 401.5 – Physical Examinations and fitness

• Approved the Ladders to Learning agreement with Grinnell-Newburg Community Schools for 2013-14.

• Approved the 28E agreement with Keystone AEA for shared services with the Sumner-Fredericksburg Community School District.

• Tabled the review of bids for purchase of Media vans.

• Approved the CTE Perkins reimbursements for 2013-14.

• Approved the lease with North Iowa Community Action Organization for the Charles City Sector office through 2015.

• Approved the Professional Development agreement with Drake University for 2014.

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

The AEA 267 Foundation met immediately following the regular board meeting.

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!