Author: Beth Strike

The first meeting of a newly established Advisory Committee for AEA 267 will meet on Monday, January 10 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the AEA 267 Conference Center in Cedar Falls. While AEA 267 has a variety of specific advisory committees already in place (one for each service area, professional development and a superintendents’ advisory to name but a few), this group’s purpose will be to provide feedback on the bigger picture of AEA 267 services and how they are impacting those they were designed to serve. The group will be facilitated by Roark Horn, AEA 267 chief administrator and will meet twice annually.

Membership includes:

• Tyler Williams, Superintendent, Garner-Hayfield CSD
• Marvin Wade, Superintendent, Marshalltown CSD
• Dan Fox, Superintendent, East Buchanan CSD
• Wendy Cruse, Principal, Charles City CSD
• Pam Ziegler, Principal, Waterloo CSD
• Darin Jones, Principal, Montezuma CSD
• Micky Bahlmann, Principal, Waverly-Shell Rock CSD
• Jon Huebner, Teacher, South Tama CSD
• Robin Neely, Teacher, AGWSR CSD
• Don Dye, Teacher, Belmond-Klemme CSD
• Matt Jensen, Teacher, Mason City CSD
• Jeff Frost, Administrator, Cedar Valley Catholic Schools
• Doug Miller, parent, Waterloo
• Tammy DeSchamp, parent, Marshalltown
• Shannon Latham, parent, Sheffield

For more information, contact Roark Horn, AEA 267 Chief Administrator.

Nearly $3,500 was raised during the first-ever AEA 267 River Hills “Fill ‘er Up” fundraiser. All three Hy-Vee gas station locations in the Cedar Valley saw a fair amount of traffic during the event which was staffed by staff volunteers and others affiliated with AEA 267 River Hills. Thank you to all those who participated! Funds will go toward technology, equipment and programming for the children who attend AEA 267 River Hills.

Do you use an agency-owned cell phone? If so, please remember that cell phones or Blackberries provided by the agency are for business use only. The board is currently in the process of updating the cell phone use policy.

Tom Fey, a longtime school administrator in the north Iowa region of AEA 267 will begin his duties as the “Interim Site Superintendent” for the AEA 267 Clear Lake office on January 1, 2011. Fey, most recently superintendent at R0ckwell-Swaledale Community School District, will fill a new position in the agency with responsibilities left vacant by Dr. Bruce Jensen and Bill Schutz, who are both retiring prior to the end of the year.

“We feel fortunate to have someone with Tom’s experience, expertise and relationship-building skills on board,” said Roark Horn. “He is excited about the position and getting to know the staff in the Clear Lake office. He already has long-standing relationships with many of our district partners which will be an incredible asset to us.”

Welcome, Tom!

As you are aware, the Iowa AEA system is celebrating its 35th-year in Iowa education. As one way to celebrate, we are posting classic photos of staff in action over the past 35 years on Facebook. Do you have some classic staff photos? Send them to Beth Strike, AEA 267 Communication Specialist. Still haven’t joined the “legions” (okay, that might be a stretch!) of people who “like” AEA 267 on Facebook? Do it today! And remember, even though you “like” an organization, it doesn’t mean that your photos, wall posts, or any other information is visible. You can still “see” us without us “seeing” you!

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met on Wednesday, December 8 at 6 p.m. in the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for their regular meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review by Kay Schmalen, AEA 267 Consultant for Reading/Language Arts, regarding the Google Applications program that is benefiting both AEA and LEA staff and administrators across the state. Google Applications, or “apps” as they are better known, provide collaborative approaches to word processing, presentations, spreadsheets and forms.

• Motioned to hire Rebecca Eness, Speech-Language Pathologist (Sector 2) and Crystal Williamson, Speech-Language Pathologist (Sector 7).

• Approved the second reading of the following board policy changes that have been recommended by IASB:

401.7 – Evaluation Procedures and Due Process for non-certified Personnel
401.7R1 – Classified Employee Evaluation
401.8 – Child Abuse Reporting
401.11 – Transporting of Students by Employees
401.25 – Employee Conduct and Appearance
401.26 – Notification of Arrest, Criminal Charges or Child Abuse Complaints

• Heard the first reading of the following board policies:

401.27 – Employee Use of Cell Phones
401.27R1 – Employee Use of Cell Phones Administrative Regulation and Procedures
401.28 – Intellectual Property
401.29 – Employee Conflict of Interest
405.11 – Family and Medical Leave Act
603.9 – Credit Cards
603.9R1 – Credit Cards Administrative Regulation

• Reviewed and approved Board Policies Section 403, 404, 405 & 406. Reading of Amended Board Policies:

403.7 – Certified Employee Resignations
404.5 – Overtime and Compensatory Time
405.2 – Vacation Leave
406.3 – Retirement

• Approved reciprocal transportation agreement between:

Osage and St. Ansgar
Osage and Rudd Rockford Marble Rock
Rudd Rockford Marble Rock and Rockwell-Swaledale
Rudd Rockford Marble Rock and Nora Springs Rock Falls

• Approved participation in 2010-11 Iowa Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

• Approved Professional Development agreement with Drake University.

• Approved 2010-2011 agreement with Four Oaks Partners: Integration agreement with Mason City Community School District

• Approved 28E Agreement with Iowa Educators Consortium.

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

The United Way wishes to thank those staff members who chose to donate during the official campaign season. Overall, staff donations continue to decline down to just over $3,000. Last year, staff members contributed slightly over $7,100.

Recently, the AEA 267 professional development office posted some important information to the website regarding internal professional development requests. If you have not already reviewed the information, please do so today!

The AEA 267 River Hills School holiday program is a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season and provide you with inspiration. The public is invited to attend the event on Friday, December 10 at 9:30 a.m. (snow date is Monday, December 13). AEA 267 River Hills School is located at 2700 Grand Blvd. in Cedar Falls.

AEA 267 has established an account with Lands’ End Business Outfitters for staff who wish to personally purchase AEA 267 logo’d apparel and other items. An impressive variety of items and color choices are now available to be independently purchased and shipped directly to you on demand without waiting for a “group” order to be organized. Visit the AEA 267 Lands’ End Business Outfitters website today to preview our official AEA 267 catalog. For more information contact Beth Strike, Communication Specialist.

American Education Week will be observed November 14-20 and is a great time to recognize all of you for the incredible work you do to serve children, families and educators. Please watch your van mail for a small token of appreciation in recognition of your efforts.

Every year, AEA 267 staff members have the option of contributing to the United Way. The United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health which are building blocks for a good life—a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. If you choose to contribute, please download and print the United Way pledge card and return it Betty Beauregard in the AEA 267 Business Office by December 13, 2010. As a reminder, staff may designate where their contribution is directed; and for those interested, this year the River Hills Foundation has been added as a choice! Payroll deduction is also an option. As always, donations to the United Way are completely voluntary.

Although we’ve had drier-than-average weather and great conditions for travel, winter weather is undoubtedly in our future. Are you ready? Below are some helpful links to review:

Iowa School Alerts sign-up for AEA 267 office closing and PD cancellation notification.

Iowa Department of Transportation Road Conditions

Safe Motorist tips for winter driving

AEA 267 staff webpage on Inclement Weather (login: aeastaff/password: aea267ia)