Author: cvanbuskirk

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) have launched a new strategic plan for the statewide system. This comprehensive plan outlines the AEAs’ commitment to serving as educational partners, supporting schools and driving positive outcomes for students across the state. The plan builds on the strengths and core values of previous individual AEA strategic plans and aligns closely with the State of Iowa’s Board of Education’s goals and standards.

Key priorities of the new plan include:

• Serving students and educators: Addressing immediate needs and providing ongoing support to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.
• Driving impact: Achieving meaningful and lasting positive outcomes through evidence-based strategies and collaborative partnerships.
• Fostering excellence: Striving for excellence in service delivery, emphasizing collaboration, relationships and continuous improvement.

Iowa’s nine AEAs will take the plan to their boards for adoption. AEAs will begin to layer the plan into existing AEA strategic plans, creating a more cohesive approach to serving Iowa’s students and educators.

“The new plan is an important step in ensuring that Iowa’s AEAs are meeting the needs of Iowa’s students and educators,” said Stan Rheingans, shared Chief Administrator of Central Rivers AEA and Keystone AEA. “This plan will help us to better align our work across the system and with the state’s educational standards.”

Central Rivers AEA gives you the option to receive your IRS Form W-2 and Form 1095 electronically. These forms will only be provided electronically if you give your consent. Employees who consent to receive their W-2 and/or 1095 forms online will not receive paper copies. Those who do not consent will continue to receive paper copies of these forms.

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Follow the steps below to access your electronic consent* options for your W-2:

• Log into Web Link
• Select Employee Information ? Payroll and Compensation ? W2s

• Review IRS W2 Consent Terms ? Select to receive W2 electronically through Web Link or Select to continue receiving W2 in paper form ? Continue

*If you consent to electronic delivery but later change your mind, you can update your preferences through the electronic consent link. Simply select the option: I want to continue receiving my W-2 in paper form but would like to view my W-2 through Web Link.

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Follow the steps below to access your electronic consent* options for the 1095 form:

• Log into Web Link
• Select Employee Information ? Payroll and Compensation ? 1095s

• Review IRS 1095 Consent Terms ? Select to receive 1095 electronically through Web Link or Select to continue receiving 1095 in paper form ? Continue

*If you consent to electronic delivery but later change your mind, you can revisit the electronic consent link to update your preferences. Select the option: I want to continue receiving my 1095 in paper form but would like to view my 1095 through Web Link.

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You have until January 13, 2025, to decide how you want to receive your 2024 W-2 and Form 1095. If you consent to electronic delivery, you will be able to view and print your W-2 forms from 2022 onward, as long as you maintain your consent. If you choose not to consent, you will receive paper copies of your W-2 and/or 1095 form.

Electronic delivery allows you to access your W-2 sooner than through the mail, and it helps save costs for Central Rivers AEA. You will receive an email when the 2024 W-2s and 1095 forms are available online.

For questions about your W-2, contact Shane Wolf, Payroll Specialist, at (319) 273-8203. For questions about your 1095 form, contact Kevin Klobassa, Benefits Specialist, at (319) 273-8202.

Starting December 16, the “working location” feature in Google Calendar will no longer be available due to inconsistent use. Please continue to share your working location, but instead use the Calendar Event feature to ensure that your location is complete for each event. If you work in one location all day (e.g. office based staff), simply create a calendar event and name the working location as the event title. If you have any questions, talk with your supervisor or the Tech Help Desk. Examples of how to update your calendar are provided below.

Incorrect Example:

The old “working location” feature – this will not be available on Google Calendars beginning December 16.

Correct Example:

Be sure to update your Google Calendar to reflect your working location via all day “Calendar Events.” For example, if you are working from home, create an all-day Google Calendar event that is titled, “Virtual Services.”

The same would go if you are at an office – Cedar Falls Office, Clear Lake Office or Marshalltown Office.

During their December board meeting, the Board waived Board Policy 401.12 and approved December 24, 2024 to be included as one of the identified office closed days for 2024-25 winter break. The board waived the policy this year out of respect for all employees who might have holiday traditions and for those who may be traveling for Christmas. It was also noted that our LEA partners are closed on this day. If you have any questions, reach out to your direct supervisor.

Please join us in thanking the Board of Directors for their care and support!

Don’t forget to change your voicemail greeting and schedule an “away” message to your email during the Christmas holiday break so that callers and/or e-mailers will know when they can expect to hear from you. All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed on December 24 – January 1 for the Christmas holiday break. All CRAEA offices will reopen on Thursday, January 2.

Email “away” message example

Thank you for your email. I will be out of the office beginning Tuesday, December 24 through January 1 and will respond to your email upon my return on January 2. All Central Rivers AEA offices are closed for winter break. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!

Voicemail example

Hello, this is (your name/title). All Central Rivers AEA offices will be closed for winter break beginning Tuesday, December 24 and will reopen on Thursday, January 2. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will call you when I return. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday!

If you need assistance with either task, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or 319-273-8231.

A new Assistive Technology (AT) team, with members from Keystone and Central Rivers AEA, is now in place. The team is conducting a needs assessment to identify training priorities for discipline teams. Once complete, staff will receive focused, bite-sized professional learning opportunities based on the findings.

The process for making an AT request:

1. Targeted AT Needs: Contact the Discipline Lead for assistance.
2. Targeted/Intensive AT Needs: If the Discipline Lead cannot assist, contact the Regional Administrator.
3. Intensive AT Requests: The RA will forward these to the Intensive AT Support Team for further review.

This process ensures timely and effective support for assistive technology needs. If you have questions, please view the AEA support for addressing AT concerns document, or reach out to Annette Hyde, Executive Director of Special Education.