The Channel

The Channel - a blog for Central Rivers AEA staff and board members blog site header

Author: cvanbuskirk

  • 2026-27 Master Calendar update

    Most of the key dates for the upcoming school year are now official! Please keep an eye on your inbox, as you’ll soon receive calendar invites for meetings specific to your role – such as discipline or region meetings, etc.

  • Mileage & expense reimbursements are due July 7

    To help our team provide the best support possible, we kindly ask that you submit your mileage claims on a monthly basis. This regular schedule allows our staff the necessary time to review and approve claims efficiently. Looking ahead, please keep in mind that all mileage and expense reimbursements through June 30, 2026 must be submitted in Weblink by July 7.

  • Mileage policy update for 2026-27

    As we continue to navigate changes across the AEA system, we know that travel and mileage are top-of-mind for many of you. While statewide leaders are still working toward a unified approach to travel compensation, a final decision hasn’t been reached for the upcoming school year. To support you in the meantime, our Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors has approved a renewed mileage addendum for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

    What’s new for 2026–27?

    Building on what we learned during the recent pilot program, this renewed version adds two important updates to make travel fairer for everyone:

    • Established Commute Cap: For the 2026–27 school year, the maximum commute dedication will be capped at 25 miles one way (50 miles round trip). This provides a clear ceiling for non-reimbursable miles.
    • Increased Flexibility: We have secured more flexibility to solve “one-off” situations. This allows leadership to address unique challenges that may arise specifically due to job assignments and placements that don’t fit a standard mold.

    What remains the same?

    To keep our daily operations stable, most parts of the current travel policy remain unchanged. This includes:

    • Reimbursement rates and per diem limits.
    • Lodging limits.
    • How you document and submit your travel.
    • Audit procedures and timelines.

    Looking ahead

    The 2026-27 addendum will be in effect from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It serves as a vital bridge while we continue to participate in broader, statewide conversations regarding a permanent mileage solution.

  • Monthly Zoom updates for CRAEA staff

    If you missed the all-staff update on Tuesday, April 14 via Zoom, the slide deck and recording information can be found below. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 12, from 4:00-4:30 pm.

    Resources from 4/14/26:

  • In-person Artificial Intelligence (AI) training is coming in August

    We are hosting a series of in-person training sessions focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) this August at the Cedar Falls office. These sessions are designed to be a collaborative space where we can learn together how AI might serve our mission of empowering educational partners. We want to ensure everyone feels confident and prepared as these new tools continue to evolve.

    Training schedule

    We’ve set aside specific days to work with different teams from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm:

    • August 12: Educational Services
    • August 18: Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
    • August 20: Team Representatives

    To make things simple, we will meet at our Cedar Falls office for these sessions. We truly value your time and expertise, so you will be paid at your per diem rate for attending. While this is a required training, we want to be mindful of your summer plans; if you have a vacation already scheduled, just check with your supervisor to have the requirement waived. We will share specific training outcomes as we get closer to August. In the meantime, if you have questions or need clarification, please reach out to your supervisor.

  • Thank you to the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors

    May - Board Recognition Month

    Join us in thanking our amazing board members during School Board Recognition Month! Serving almost 62,000 students, 5,000 educators and over 500 staff members, these nine dedicated volunteers are the backbone of the agency, setting the course for all we do! Help us thank them for their dedication and commitment to Iowa’s students and our agency staff by sending them an email of appreciation.

  • Welcome aboard: meet the newest Central Rivers AEA team members

    We would like to welcome incoming staff for the 2025-26 school year!

    Creative Services welcomes Mark Sabotta, Web Developer/Programmer!

    Please give a warm welcome to Central Rivers AEA Creative Services’ newest team member, Mark Sabotta! Mark joined our team on April 13 as a Web Developer/Programmer. He is based out of the Cedar Falls office.

    Mark Sabotta, family photo

    Hi, everyone! I’m so excited to be working for Central Rivers! I can’t wait to leverage my diverse set of experiences to become an increasingly valuable member of the team. My experiences include eight years of Jr./Sr. High Math teaching for Wapsie Valley CSD, 1.5 years of data mapping for print with Professional Office Services and a couple of degrees in Mathematics from UNI.

    I was born in Cedar Rapids and lived there with my two older brothers until we graduated high school and moved away. Since then, I have lived with my wife, Laura, here in Cedar Falls. We have two beautiful children; Margaret who is three, and Larry (Lawrence) who is eight months old.

    My hobbies and interests include: talking about my kids (see me for pictures,) chess, video games and Magic the Gathering. Lately, I have been watching Invincible and The Boys, and I am excited to catch up on the last season of Stranger Things. 

    I strive to bring energy, willingness to understand, problem-solving, laughter and a smile to everything I do. No matter who you are, I hope we can meet, get to know each other and work together on making the world a better place!