The Channel

As the date of our all-staff kick-off meeting quickly approaches, please be aware of some final details to ensure a successful day. We are looking forward to seeing you!

• Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Coffee, water and light snacks will be available in the lobby. Lunch will be provided.
• Parking at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus is limited. Please reference the information on parking before venturing to Cedar Falls. (Watch for signs!)
• Those that signed up for agency-sponsored transportation have been notified via email regarding departure times and locations. Please check your email if this applies to you. The transportation sign-up is now closed.
• Dress for the day is professional casual. Please note that the building is sometimes chilly so please dress accordingly!
• The agenda for the day includes keynote speakers from members of Administrative Cabinet, Ron Steele (KWWL-Channel 7) and Dr. Jason Glass (Iowa Department of Education). We will end promptly at 3 p.m.
• Please come with an open mind, positive attitude for learning and patience as we work together to make the day a success!

An updated AEA 267 Director District map was approved by the AEA 267 Board of Directors this month.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met at 6 p.m. on August 1, 2012 at the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center.  During the meeting, the board:

• Heard a program review from Dr. Jon McKenzie regarding EdInsight, a web-based statewide educational data warehouse that gives educators consistent, reliable and accurate quality data about Iowa education.
• Approved the mileage rate at $.37/mile for 2012-13.
• Approved purchase of a financial and human resources software, which will give staff members 24/7 access to human resources records, leave data, pay stubs, and other information beginning July 1, 2013.
• Approved a contract with Pruckler Physical Therapy.
• Approved the 2012-13 transportation contract with EPI/Northland Regional Transit.
• Renewed an agreement with Eldora-New Providence Schools for 2012-13.
• Approved the E-Rate management proposal for 2012-13 with Let Me Help You with That, LLC.
• Took action to close the AEA 267 Hampton office effective July 1, 2013.
• Approved agreements with Statewide System for Vision Services.
• Approved a revised Director District map.
• Approved a contract extension for Dr. Roark Horn to run from 2013 through 2016. Roark is in his last year of his current three-year contract.

Effective July 1, 2012, there will no longer be morning snacks and/or candy provided by AEA 267 for professional development offerings and/or meetings.  The cost of morning snacks and candy have been a tremendous expense which the agency can no longer afford to offer.  Vending machines will be available for purchase of snack items.

Instructors may request coffee and/or water by completing the Food Request form. If a light lunch is to be provided, the cost of the lunch will be included within participant registration.  Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions – Food Requests for further clarification or feel free to contact the AEA 267 Professional Development department, Jackie Gray.

A change in how mileage start points are calculated should ensure fair reimbursement for professional travel for staff in light of some new assignments. The contract states that the distance from an employee’s home to “the nearest assigned place of employment” is the mileage subtraction for determining mileage reimbursement. This week in Administrative Cabinet, the group made a decision to interpret “nearest assigned place of employment” as one of the following, whichever is the most advantageous for staff:

1. The distance from home to the current assigned office; or
2. The distance from home to the mileage start point from last year; or
3. The distance from home to a building in a current assigned district.

Every employee will have the same mileage subtraction or less than last year. Every day the subtraction will be the same most advantageous subtraction regardless of whether you are heading to that site or not.

All mileage and expenses for July 1, 2011 thru June 30, 2012 must be submitted to the Business Office by Friday, July 5 to be paid on the July 13 mileage check.  Please contact Cindy Fry at 319- 268-7612 in the Business Office with any questions.

Summer has arrived and with the warm weather comes new office hours.  Beginning Monday, June 11, AEA 267 hours will be 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  These hours will stay in effect through August 10.  Enjoy your summer!

Over 1,200 educators responded to the 2011-12 AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey this year. The graph below details the percentage of respondents who “strongly agree” or “agree” to each statement regarding AEA 267 services.

Kudos to all of YOU for these incredible approval ratings! Despite the challenges we are all facing in education, service has clearly remained a top priority. Thank you!

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

• Heard a presentation by Dr. Carol Sensor and Greg Koppes regarding the Special Education Compliance process.
• Approved the agreement with Jester Insurance for Agent of Record services for the AEA 267 Worker’s Compensation Insurance program for 2012-13.
• Approved the renewal of the EMC Insurance Program for 2012-13.
• Accepted the lowest bid and authorized the lease of a 19-passenger school bus.
• Approved the renewal of the Mid-Iowa School Improvement Consortium (MISIC) agreement for MAP Testing in specials schools for 2012-13.
• Approved the three-year extension on the lease for the Grinnell Sector Office with the option to opt out at the end of year one, two or three.
• Approved the one-year extension of the Lutheran Services in Iowa Inc. lease for the Bremwood Lied Education Center classrooms: the Woodhaven shelter classroom and the Art classroom.
• Approved the renewed agreement with Cedar Valley Promise for 2012-13.
• Approved the agreement with Let Me Help You with That, LLC for 2011-12 for technology support.
• Approved the relocation of the Learning Center Program to the AEA 267 Clear Lake office effective July 1.
• Approved membership in IASB for 2012-2013.
• Approved the revised Board Policy 401.7R2 Noncertified employee evaluation regulation as presented.
• Tabled approval of the revised AEA 267 Director District Map.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

Please note the number of days on your contract is three days fewer for instructional staff and four days fewer for support staff. The Education Association requested and AEA 267 administration agreed to the contract reduction in days. This also means that per diem pay will increase. Have a great end of the school year and, as always, thank you for all you do to serve students, our local school district partners and each other! 

If you haven’t already done so, please mark your calendar to attend the 2012 all-staff kick-off meeting on August 10 at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) campus. This exciting day will mark the first time all agency staff have come together in one location for learning and camaraderie.

The day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by an official welcome at 9 a.m. Keynote presentations, along with sector and service area team time, will follow. Lunch will be provided. The meeting will adjourn by 3 p.m.

For staff member convenience, as well as to conserve funds, the agency will provide transportation via bus/van starting from various AEA 267 offices outside of the Cedar Falls area. While riding agency provided transportation is not mandatory, if you choose to drive yourself to the meeting, please be aware that mileage will not be reimbursed. (Please note that you will be paid mileage for any mileage to pick-up sites less your usual round trip mileage to work.) If you plan to participate in agency-sponsored transportation, please respond via this link by June 30. You will be contacted by agency email between now and August 10 with details regarding pick-up times so please check your email!

If you have special dietary needs that should be considered in the planning of lunch, please contact Kerri Wilson directly at 319-273-8201.

Prepare for an incredible day!