The Channel

The 2014-2015 rates for Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) are in. For the first time in seven years the rates will not increase. Currently, employees are paying 5.95% and the AEA is contributing 8.93% of your covered wages. These rates will continue through June of 2015.

In an effort to conserve energy, please be aware that many AEA 267 offices will reduce the heat over break. Offices will be considered closed and may not be at a comfortable temperature for working for long periods. Enjoy the comforts of home and an extended break away from work!

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the AEA 267 Cedar Falls Conference Center for their regular meeting. During the meeting, the board:

• Heard an update on Climate/Culture from Dr. Mary Stevens, Director of Special Education, Julie Davies, Director of Educational Services and Dr. Jerry Schnabel, Director of Information & Technology.

• Approved the second reading of the following board policies:

  • 100 Series

  • 200 Series

  • 401.5 – Physical Examinations and fitness

• Approved the Ladders to Learning agreement with Grinnell-Newburg Community Schools for 2013-14.

• Approved the 28E agreement with Keystone AEA for shared services with the Sumner-Fredericksburg Community School District.

• Tabled the review of bids for purchase of Media vans.

• Approved the CTE Perkins reimbursements for 2013-14.

• Approved the lease with North Iowa Community Action Organization for the Charles City Sector office through 2015.

• Approved the Professional Development agreement with Drake University for 2014.

• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

The AEA 267 Foundation met immediately following the regular board meeting.

November is upon us and that means that the potential for severe winter weather is increasing. Please be sure that you have taken time to thoroughly review the information on the inclement weather page of our staff website. (Use your email login and password to gain access.) This page provides all of the details you will need to learn about cancellations and closures as well as updated procedures and answers to your most frequently asked questions about weather-related travel. If you have questions after reviewing this information, please visit with your supervisor. Stay safe and please exercise good personal judgement at all times!

Who is this AEA 267 administrator? Check out the agency Facebook page to find out!

A huge thank you to members of our Administrative Cabinet who have allowed us to expose their lighter side on our agency Facebook page. Since social media is all about “being social” and using stories to gain attention, we have featured stories about several Administrative Cabinet members and what they recall about their early days of teaching as part of our “Throwback Thursday” theme. The stories (and the great pictures that accompany them!) have done exactly what they were designed to do–garner more page “likes” and interaction with those we serve. Are you on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest or Twitter? You are encouraged to like/follow AEA 267 in all these places and share your stories and comments! Please also consider sharing our social media sites with others and asking them to follow/like us. Social media presents an incredible opportunity to reach others and tell them the AEA story which we hope translates into advocacy and support. If you aren’t following us on these sites, you may be missing out on some great stories about our work and staff accomplishments!

The AEA 267 cell phone directory is completely updated and available on our staff website for your use. Formats are available both for print or viewing on the web. Kudos to Laura Rinnels, Cindi Helgeson, Hether Gustafson and Kathy Enslin for their work in putting this important resource together!

Earlier this year, the Iowa Department of Education commissioned two independent reports with regard to the Iowa Assessments, which schools are required by Iowa Code to administer for accountability purposes.

The objective of these reports was twofold:

1. To determine the level of alignment between our Iowa Core standards and the reading and math portions of the Iowa Assessments in grades 3-8, 10 and 11.

2. To set performance standards for the Iowa Assessments at each grade level to indicate students’ college and career readiness.

Data Recognition Corporation was chosen through a competitive-bidding process to complete these reports: Iowa Assessments Standard Setting Technical Report  and Iowa Report on Math and Reading. While the purpose of these reports was to comply with U.S. Department of Education requirements, it was hoped that the reports would add context to an ongoing discussion around the future of accountability testing in Iowa.

Iowa’s students and schools deserve a high-quality accountability assessment that is aligned to our statewide standards. This is critical not only in our efforts to determine whether schools are meeting Adequate Yearly Progress targets under the federal No Child Left Behind law, but also in our efforts to improve our education system.

We are pleased to welcome Bryan Burton to our board as the representative for Director District 8 serving Waterloo. Bryan is an Engagement Lead for the Blue Zones Project in Cedar Falls. He and his wife and three children live in Waterloo. He is very active on a number of boards. Look for more information about Bryan in an upcoming edition of Intersections!

Every five years, the agency participates in an accreditation site visit facilitated by the Iowa Department of Education. The site visit serves as an opportunity to ensure that AEA standards for service are being met and that progress is being made toward goals. The agency’s site visit will be held on April 22-24, 2014. In the coming months, staff members directly involved with providing service in the agency’s core work areas may be asked to participate in the visit through structured interviews. In the meantime, if you are responsible for a core work write-up, please ensure that it is complete! We hope to put our best foot forward during the site visit process and showcase the incredible work being done on behalf of children by our staff and those we serve! For more information, contact Dr. Jon McKenzie.