Category: Uncategorized

The comments in this article are focused on one of the little things we can do to serve our customers well. I was reminded of this as I visited a local retailer and noticed all the employees’ cars parked at the back of the lot, leaving the best parking spaces for the customer. It is one of those little things, but a nice thing to do as we serve our partners at AEA 267. I’m not suggesting we always need to use the parking space that is farthest from the building but to at least allow the first few rows for those that come to the AEA as our customers and partners. Are there exceptions? Of course. When you are arriving just to run in and out before you are on the road again, taking advantage of a great parking space only makes sense. When you are arriving with a load of easels, boxes, stacks of books, etc. it is easier to park close to the door. But when you are arriving to stay for the day, combine a healthy walk with a courtesy to our customers.

As you arrive for work in the morning, park in the lot assigned or designated for your building, and leave the best and closest spaces for our guests.

The Iowa Department of Education (DE) will begin AEA 267’s accreditation visit on March 10-11, 2009 with a document review. The DE team will follow up with LEA and AEA interviews on April 14-16 and on May 12-13, the team will conclude follow up activities. All activities will take place on the Cedar Falls campus.

The DE accreditation team will be comprised of staff from the DE, other AEAs and our local districts. The accreditation process is based upon a triangulation of evidence that includes written documentation and interviewing a representative sample of local district and AEA personnel around our three goals specific to the standards. The standards represented are school community planning, professional development, curriculum, instruction and assessment, special education/diverse learning needs of all children, multicultural gender-fair, media services, information school technology, and leadership. Accreditation cycles for AEAs are on a five-year schedule.

A special section of the AEA 267 website has been established for accreditation documents and information. Use the pull down menu under “About Us” on the front page of the agency website and go to “accreditation.”

The 2008 Annual Progress Report, which details the agency’s progress toward meeting established goals, is now available. In addition to being available here, it can be accessed on the accreditation section of our agency’s website.

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Team members at AEA 267 Bremwood donated over $600 to the United Way in lieu of having a Secret Santa Exchange this year. The goal was to raise $550 and in exchange team members would get to wear jeans for two weeks. According to Justin Stockdale, AEA 267 Bremwood Principal, “our team exceeded the goal and will be sporting their best denim February 16th-27th. Considering the tough financial times we are experiencing, this was a fantastic gesture on behalf of our team at AEA 267 Bremwood. It was a complete team effort!”

Congratulations to everyone involved.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met at 6 p.m. on February 3, 2009 at the AEA 267 Conference Center in Cedar Falls for a public hearing on the 2009-10 AEA 267 proposed budget. No visitors were present for the hearing.

The board convened for their regular meeting after the public hearing. During the regular meeting, the board:

• Heard and accepted the 2007-2008 Audit Report. Auditor Dennis Muyskens, of Hogan-Hanson, commended the business office for the excellent work they are doing.
• Heard a review from Dr. Jon McKenzie on the accreditation site visit process and the agency’s preparation. (See related story with dates and details.)
• Accepted with regret the resignation of Sarah Wakefield, School Psychologist (Marshalltown) at the end of the 2008-09 school year. Approved the retirement of Susan Rittgers, Teacher of Multi Disabilities/Resource (Dike-New Hartford High School), effective March 31, 2009, and resignation of Larry Bradley, Special Ed Consultant (Iowa Juvenile Home), effective January 31, 2009, pending suitable replacement.
• Reviewed the 500 series of board policies.
• Approved the office calendar for 2009-2010.
• Approved the 2009-2010 AEA 267 budget.
• Approved the second reading of the 300 series of board policies.
• Reviewed and approved the AEA 267 Annual Progress Report. (See related story.)
• Approved the application for a Roy J. Carver grant in the amount of $156,500 to support promotion of scientific inquiry and as well as a Marshalltown Community Foundation grant for $5000 to translate a career readiness DVD from English to Spanish.
• Discussed staff reduction considerations. (See related story.)
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

Want to help your local school district earn money? U.S. Cellular is offering a contest where the public is invited to vote for their favorite school district. The school with the most votes will receive a cash prize.

Stop by a U.S. Cellular store or U.S. Cellular Authorized Agent before January 15, 2009 and receive one entry form to vote for your favorite school. Vote for the school of your choice by completing the original entry form with all requested information and mailing it to U.S. Cellular (“Sponsor”) at the address provided on the entry form. You may choose any school (excluding home schools) located in the 50 United States or D.C., whether public or private, that serves any grades between kindergarten and twelfth (12th), as a potential prize recipient. You must name a specific school; the name of a school district, alone, or other general description of a school that does not contain the school’s actual name and location, or the names of more than one school on an entry form, will not be accepted, and will invalidate the entry. All entries must be postmarked by January 15, 2009 and received by January 23, 2009.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met at 6:00 p.m. on January 7, 2009 at the AEA 267 Conference Center in Cedar Falls for their regular meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a review from Christine Mangrich regarding the Iowa Core Curriculum and our involvement with the roll-out of this initiative
• Reviewed and approved the new AEA 267 Professional Development Plan
• Approved the 2009-10 proposed budget for publication
• Reviewed the 300 series of the AEA 267 Board Policies
• Approved the second reading of the following policies: 201.1 Name of organization; 201.4 Elections to the board; 201.5 Membership of the board and term of office; 202.4 Secretary of the board
• Approved the contract for E2T2 (Enhancing Education Through Technology) services with Grant Wood AEA
• Approved the agreement with Drake University for college credit courses offered by AEA 267
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.