In an effort to provide more “DIY” options to staff when it comes to recording video and audio material, “Mobile Video Kits” have been assembled for staff use. There are currently two Mobile Video Kits available for staff to checkout from the AEA 267 media center.
Each kit includes accessories that staff can hook up to their tablet in order to record video content on their own. Staff who do not have an AEA 267 tablet can check one out from the media center to use with the kit. The kit includes: a 57-inch aluminum tripod with a tablet mount, a professional tablet microphone, a microphone windshield for outdoor recording, a set of headphones to monitor audio, and a quick start guide explaining how to set up all the kit materials. Contact the AEA 267 media center to reserve one today and feel free to contact Sarah Lalk for further information or training on how you can use this new tool!
Did you know that the AEA 267 Creative Services department receives approximately 100 orders per day? Orders currently come in via two different email addresses, an online form on the website, van mail, walk-in, as well as Digital Storefront, a virtual “store” for print. That’s a lot of channels to manage for workflow as well as track for accurate billing!
A new Google order form has been developed and is being piloted. While the form seems straightforward from the user’s side, with the help of advanced Google coding, the “back side” of the form automates the workflow and billing incredibly saving Creative Services staff time and eventually increasing efficiency.
If you would like to participate in the pilot, feel free to use this form when submitting your order during the week of March 6-10. We know the form isn’t perfect, so share your experience in using by responding to this survey when you are done. If you have questions or concerns while submitting your order, please direct them to Dave Johnson.
In an effort to ensure greater continuity between our regions and allow for more opportunities to meet as a full agency, the following dates have been selected for 2017-18 for regional/agency team meetings. While locations of the meetings have not been fully finalized, please reserve each of these dates and schedule professional and personal obligations around them as attendance will be mandatory. Locations are listed where they are known. All meetings are scheduled for 9 am-3 pm. More details will be sent out to you as they are finalized. (In general, Regional Meetings will take place in the AM and Discipline/Content Teams will meet in the afternoon. The day of the week for the meetings will rotate as suggested to help ensure that services by direct service providers are more equally spread out and don’t always occur on the same day of the week.)
August 14, 2017: Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls (All staff kick-off meeting)
September 12, 2017
October 18, 2017
November 17. 2017
December 21, 2017: Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls (All staff)
January 23, 2018
February 19, 2018
March (date determined by Regional Administrator)
April 26, 2018
May 23, 2018: Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls (All staff)
We received news last month that Dr. E. Robert (“Bob”) Stephens died peacefully on the morning of Feb. 9. For those not familiar with Bob Stephens, he wrote the original legislative language to create the AEAs in Iowa. He also served nationally on the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) Board. The AESA has three awards nationally that honor individuals, and one is named after Bob. (The AEA system also honors his legacy with an award named after him.) He was truly a champion for education, especially for educational service agencies and was relentless in his pursuit to serve students and staff. We’ve lost a giant in our field, and he will be missed.
The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Monday, March 6, 2017 in the Cedar Falls Conference Center. The board packet is available online and the minutes will be published online after approval at the next month’s board meeting.
Chief Administrator Sam Miller and area superintendents met with legislators during Advocacy Day 2017 on February 2. Here the group is pictured with Rep. Timi Brown-Powers.
This past month our elected officials marked the start of the 86th Iowa General Assembly along with many newly elected leaders. With Republican control in both chambers, we expect a markedly different legislative session from those we’ve had in recent years.
We are keeping our eye on a number of important issues that have the potential to impact the AEA system including the following:
The decision to set the state cost per pupil, known as state supplemental assistance (SSA), is due to be enacted by Feb. 10 to meet the 30-day deadline in Iowa Code. Efforts have been underway to remind legislators that investing in Iowa public schools pays dividends in the future, with an educated workforce that contributes to our economy. This week, over 150 superintendents and AEA administrators held an “advocacy day” at the capitol to raise awareness about the impact of inadequate funding on Iowa’s schools. The day was a success in terms of the number of legislators who attended and listened to our impact stories, but the true indicator of success is the amount of funding we receive.
Based on the early numbers we’re seeing and feedback from our lobbyists, there is the potential that districts and the AEA system will see a reduction in funding for Teacher Leadership & Compensation (TLC) support and Iowa Core implementation dollars, and Supplemental State Aid established at a rate of 2% or lower. Preliminary budget figures also indicate that the Governor supports restoring the late session budget cut that directly impacted our AEA system, which is hopeful.
We will also be closely watching decisions made regarding what the new federal administration will do to impact Part B special education funding as that funding stream is critical to maintaining our current special education efforts.
Your Administrative Cabinet has been working hard to estimate the impacts of these potential funding changes on our organization. We don’t have a crystal ball, and we continue to work with estimates and rough figures; however, we have a fiscal responsibility to continue moving forward with finding as many efficiencies as we can in how we serve students, families and educators. As positions are left vacant by resignations and retirements, conversations will continue to occur around how best to fill the void. In many cases those positions will be replaced and in other cases, assignment of responsibilities may change.
On another note, I wanted to provide you with an update regarding our facilities. I am pleased to share that we have sold our Administrative Services Building! The board held a public hearing and meeting to approve the sale. The building has been purchased by an organization in the dentistry field and they plan to take possession in early April. That means that for those of us working in the building, we will be temporarily relocating to one of the other two buildings on the Cedar Falls campus. While a little inconvenient, it’s a small price to pay as our plan to downsize facilities plays out and we work toward renovating our new Central Rivers AEA home at 1521 Technology Parkway. Renovation plans are now complete and work will begin in earnest in late March/early April. We are still hopeful that we can be moved in and operational around July 1!
As always, thank you for your continued dedication to those that you serve. Despite the many organizational changes we are moving through, service to our educational partners has never been delivered at a higher level. Superintendents and others share their appreciation for your work on an almost daily basis. Thank you!
Many staff members have been wondering when they can start incorporating our new name and logo into their work. Please remember that our new brand will not become official until July 1 which means holding off until much closer to that date. This month, lead secretaries and administrative staff had a chance to review the new branding guide as well as collaboratively generate a task list for changing things over from AEA 267 to Central Rivers AEA “behind the scenes.” If you have questions, please contact your supervisor or Beth Strike, AEA 267 Director of Creative Services.
AEA 267 tech integrationists are working with agency staff to create a new video series, “The Tech Exchange: Ideas for Staff by Staff.” The first episode, “GSuite and the Explore Feature,” aired at last month’s regional meetings. This episode featured hosts Sarah Lalk and Cari Teske as they explained Google App’s recent name change to “GSuite” and ways the “Explore” feature can streamline your work in Docs, Slides and Sheets. In future episodes, look for agency staff highlighting ways to use technology more efficiently, effectively, and collaboratively. If you have a suggestion for a future tech tip, please contact either Sarah Lalk or Cari Teske.
Mark your calendars! Our first all-staff meeting as Central Rivers Area Education Agency will be held on August 14 at our new headquarters at 1521 Technology Parkway in Cedar Falls! We will start the day with social time and registration from 8:30-9 a.m. and are are planning a fun day complete with recognitions, inspiration and “edutainment” by Monte Selby.
Paper copies of the 2016 W2s and 1095-Cs were mailed on January 26 and are also available in the Portal under: My Compensation > Employee W2 > 2016 W2 Information.
If you need to make any changes to your 2017 W-4 for federal and/or state tax withholding, do so under: My Compensation > Employee Tax Forms.
The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in the Cedar Falls Conference Center. The board packet is available online and the minutes will be published online after approval at the next month’s board meeting.
Congratulations to Dr. Mary Stevens, Executive Director of Special Education and Dr. Jerry Schnabel, Executive Director of Media! Both directors announced this week that they would be retiring effective December 2017. The AEA 267 Board of Directors took action last night at their board meeting to accept the resignations with regret.
The start of the new year is typically a time to set personal health goals and start healthier habits. Why not have some fun and work together with your co-workers while you do it? You are encouraged to join one of the many agency teams being formed as part of a friendly wellness competition for prizes. Teams will be formed by region, department and other configuration as determined by supervisors. Watch for more details for your group!
Here’s how it works:
Contest begins January 16, 2017
To participate, kick in $2 which goes toward overall prizes. (Participation is voluntary.) Money should be turned in to the designated person for your team as determined by your supervisor/team lead.
Designate a name for your group’s team.
Identify a measurable personal goal around healthier EATing, increased MOVEment or better SLEEPing habits. (here are some ideas)
Identify the action steps that you will take each week over the next 10 weeks to achieve your goal.
Report your progress each week on your team’s Google sheet which will be made available by the team lead/supervisor. Use the point system to share your progress.
At the end of the 10 week period, the team with the most points* wins! Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Points will be averaged by number of team members.
Please tentatively mark your calendars for August 14 for the all-staff meeting at our new Central Rivers AEA home in at 1521 Technology Parkway in Cedar Falls! Watch next month’s Intersections for a confirmation (or a different date if necessary). Plans will be firmed up in the next few weeks including the start and end time for the day as well as the agenda and speakers.
Thank you to everyone who donated both cash and prizes for the 2016 Food Bank Drive. Together, we were able to raise $1,450 to help stock food pantries in Iowa. What a great accomplishment! View a complete list of donors and prize winners here.
