The Channel

Spring brings with it not only warm sunshine and green grass but also the threat of severe weather. If you are not already acquainted with the tornado shelter in the building where you work, please take a moment to contact your administrator or supervisor to locate it.

In the event of severe weather, you may be notified by city siren, NOAH weather radio, or your building’s administrator/supervisor depending on the situation. Take immediate cover in the nearest suggested tornado shelters until the “all clear” has been given.

Also, if you haven’t taken time recently to review the AEA 267 Emergency Procedures located on the staff website (login: aeastaff/password: aea267ia), please do so. If you are aware of any updates that should be made, please contact Jan Alger.

Remember:
A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to form.
A Tornado Warning means a tornado has been sighted in the area. We will alert staff in the building only when a Warning has been issued.

During last month’s board meeting, the board took action to update policy number 401.18 which ensures that the agency is not only a “smoke free” work place but also tobacco free.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our working environment, (including grounds, facilities and vehicles) free of tobacco!

AEA 267 River Hills School recently received a $100,000 boost from the Black Hawk Gaming Association to go toward building renovation. This latest donation, along with other significant contributions, puts the school closer to meeting goals to renovate all 24 classrooms as well as other areas of the school that need attention.

AEA 267 River Hills School serves 145 students with moderate to severe and profound development disabilities.

Certified contracts were mailed to staff on March 15. If you did not receive one, please contact the Personnel Office at 319-273-8245. Please remember that contracts are due back on April 5!

Did you miss one of the three meetings led by Dr. Mary Stevens on the new restructuring plan? Want to review the information shared? If so, you can watch a recorded version on our AEA 267 Eduvision site. Search for “Special Education Restructuring Plan” in the title bar. The presentation is broken up into four sections for viewing.

Do you want to participate in meaningful professional development? Good news! AEA 267 has compiled a list of additional professional development opportunities that are eligible for two days of educator quality funding based on your feedback.

This list includes:

1. Current options available through the AEA 267 Professional Development system.
2. Autism training in June
3. Professional Learning Community (PLC) conference in June
4. OT/PT State conference at Heartland AEA or in Ames (both in April)
5. Diversity workshop in June
6. Learning Teams on a variety of topics. Top identified choices include: Early Communication Skills in Children with Down Syndrome, Handwriting Without Tears, Working with Premature Infants, and ICN sessions for students with significant disabilities
7. AEPS* (Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System for Infants and Children)

Thanks to all who shared ideas for these new learning opportunities! The results can be viewed below:

For more information, contact your sector coordinator, supervisor or Kim Neal, AEA 267 Site Superintendent.

*More information to follow.

All of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies provide physical therapy services to help students with physical disabilities be successful in all learning environments. In this new video, see firsthand how AEA physical therapy services have helped Caroline Hill, a first grader who was born with cerebral palsy. Hear from Caroline, her mother and others on how the AEA has helped Caroline thrive at home and at school. (Be sure to click the play symbol to begin.)

Each year, agency staff members are given an opportunity to respond to a needs assessment survey around both organizational and personal effectiveness. Traditionally, the response rate hovers around 50%. While the participation rate dipped slightly this year, responses still remained extremely favorable which is reassuring given the many changes staff have had to adjust to.

Highlights include:

• 91.16% of staff reported that the agency consistently uses the continuous improvement process.
• 89.37% of staff reported that the agency consistently uses data to drive implementation of actions.
• 89.28% of staff reported that the agency consistently provides services that meet local school district needs.
• 88.02% of staff reported that the agency consistently demonstrates proactive leadership.
• 96.16% of staff reported that they understand how the agency’s values play a role in their work.
• 94.77% of staff reported that they understand how the agency’s operating principles play a role in their work.
• 98.46% of staff reported that over the last year they have improved their own skills in service content competency.
• 94.04% of staff reported that over the last year they have improved their own skills in using data in making decisions.
• 96.69% of staff reported that over the last year they have improved their own skills in relationships.
• 95.98% of staff reported that over the past year they would rate the quality of their own work as excellent.

For further analysis, download the Four Year Comparison of Annual Internal Needs Assessment

Dr. Roark Horn connects with Walt Rogers, Iowa Representative, District 20

On Thursday, February 24, AEA Chief Administrators hosted a legislative breakfast at the Capitol. It was an opportunity to connect with those who serve us and share the great work we do for Iowa’s kids every day. A flyer highlighting a story from each of Iowa’s AEAs, was distributed. (Additional success stories can be found on the Impacting Lives blog.)

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met March 7, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for their regular meeting. During the meeting, the board:

• Reviewed and approved the consent agenda.
• Heard a report from Consultants for School Improvement; Belinda Blackburn, Dee Dienst, Laurie Hayzlett, and Dianne Hinders about their role in the AEA and the services provided to our LEA partners.
• Authorized administration to seek bids for a lease for one school bus for the  AEA 267 Four Oaks program.
• Accepted Jerry Schnabel’s recommended bid for Internet services to AEA 267 and our partners.
• Authorized the administration to purchase computers for the 2012-13 school year.
• Approved quotes for the Clear Lake phone system.
• Approved administration’s purchase and relocation of a new data center for AEA 267.
• Approved renewal of the True North Logic system contract for online Professional Development registration and room reservation.
• Heard a First Reading of Board Policy 607.1 – Care, Maintenance and Disposal of Agency Records.
• Approved Board Policy 606.6 – Audit Committee.
• Approved revised Board Policy 401.18 – Tobacco Free Workplace as presented by Dr. Sullivan.
• Approved the extension of the audit agreement with Hogan Hansen for the 2011-12 audit.
• Discussed a name change for our AEA along with new name suggestions. Voted to table the discussion until the May board meeting.
• Approved Dr. Horn’s recommendation for our Charles City Office.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

Dr. Roark Horn and Dr. Anne Sullivan facilitated a strategy session for collective bargaining immediately following the board meeting.

The AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey began Monday, March 5.

The annual AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey, which provides educators we serve with an opportunity to share feedback about our services, launched on Monday, March 5. Traditionally, our agency has enjoyed an enviable return rate on the survey (typically around 40%), which makes the data very useful.

What can/should you do as an AEA staff member? Encourage the educators you encounter to fill out the survey. We have much to be proud of in our relationship with districts as we work together to ensure that each child succeeds.  If you have a workshop planned with area educators,  build time into your agenda and have participants take the survey as their ticket out the door.

Access to the survey opened Monday and continues through April 6.  Educators can access the survey via this URL: http://survey.aea267.k12.ia.us/survey/7145/ba57/ (AEA staff should not participate in the survey!)

Julie Davies

Area Education Agency 267 (AEA 267) is pleased to announce that Julie Davies, currently the site superintendent for the AEA 267 Clear Lake office, has been selected as the agency’s new Educational Services Director. Davies will succeed Dr. Sara McInerny, who retired in December.

“I am pleased to have this opportunity to serve the schools in AEA 267 in this new capacity.  I have a passion for the mission of Iowa’s AEAs and the many quality services it provides to children, families and educators,” said Davies.  “I believe our role in education has never been more critically important.”

In her new position, Davies will oversee 43 staff members who provide school improvement consulting services to nearly 5,000 educators throughout 18-counties of north central and northeastern Iowa. Her position will be based out of the agency’s Cedar Falls office.

“Julie has an exceptional reputation in the state and is known for her leadership in curriculum and instruction,” said Dr. Roark Horn, AEA 267 chief administrator.  “She has many established relationships and an incredible drive to make a difference for kids. Those we serve will greatly benefit from her leadership.”

Prior to being hired as the site superintendent for the agency in 2011, Davies held positions as the director for curriculum, instruction and assessment in the Western Dubuque Community School District, director of technology and curriculum at Okoboji Community School District, and served as a classroom teacher. She is in the process of completing her doctorate degree.

In early winter, Dr. Anne Sullivan, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Personnel, conducted focus groups with 12 groups in each region of the agency (Clear Lake, Marshalltown, and Cedar Falls). Each focus group was comprised of four to seven staff members including staff members from Educational Services, Early Childhood, Special Education consulting staff, and Speech Pathologists.

Participants were asked:

• What do you enjoy most about your job?
• What are your greatest challenges?
• What affect have recent financial cuts from the state had on your job and the people you serve?
• What else do you want me to know?

Staff members expressed a variety of views and opinions as well as appreciation for the opportunity. To learn more about the results, download the PowerPoint presentation shared at the February 8 AEA 267 Board of Directors meeting.

If you have already been approved for the Remote and/or Temporary Work Site Program(s) and you still qualify for participation, you need only complete the re-application form found on the staff website and submit it to your supervisor for his/her approval. Your supervisor will review the re-application form and return it to you. Your completed application must be received by the AEA 267 Personnel Office no later than Monday, March 31, 2012. If we do not receive your application by that date, we will assume that you do not wish to participate.

New Participants:

Thank you for interest in the Remote Work Site Program and/or the Temporary Work Site Program! Please read about the program requirements and details found on the staff website.   If you are still interested in applying, please complete the application form found on the page and submit it to your supervisor as soon as possible. Your supervisor will then review your application and return to you. Your completed application must be received by the AEA 267 Personnel Office no later than Monday, March 31, 2012.  If we do not receive your application by that date, we will assume you do not wish to participate.

If you have any questions, please submit them to your service area contacts, Larry Erion or Dr. Mary Stevens.  You can also call Dr. Anne Sullivan, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Personnel.