The Channel

Please plan to attend one or more of the upcoming retirement celebrations honoring our retiring colleagues. These celebrations present a wonderful opportunity to congratulate our retiring team members and recognize them for their dedication and years of service.

Tuesday, May 15, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.—Cedar Falls Conference Center

Wednesday, May 16, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.—Clear Lake Conference Center

Thursday, May 17, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.—Marshalltown Conference Center

Those being honored at each of our office locations include:

Cedar Falls

• Barb Brainard, School Psychologist, North Butler & Tripoli
• Kathy Buzynski, Discipline Facilitator/Speech-Language Pathologist
• Julie Crotty, Consultant for Curriculum Development, Educational Services
• Diane Goodrich, Multi-Resource Teacher, Shell Rock Elementary
• Jo Hoewing, Speech-Language Pathologist, Castle Hill
• Sara McInerny, Service Area Director of Educational Services
• Jim Reed, Special Education Coordinator
• Ginny Salkeld, Speech-Language Pathologist, Sector 8
• Christy Schmitt, Teacher of Multi Disability-Resource, Hudson High School
• Kathryn Sharp, Teacher of Multi Disability-Resource, Hudson Elementary School
• Peg Smith-Wiebenga, School Psychologist, Sector 8
• Brenda Steinbronn, Multi-Resource Teacher, Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School
• Carol Toppin, Special Education Consultant, Sector 9
• Linda Kollenkark, Educational Assistant, Southeast Elementary-Waverly.

Clear Lake

• Jan Alger, Administrative Secretary to Site Superintendent/Communication Specialist
• Marta Amoroso, Special Education Consultant
• Deb Basler, Speech-Language Pathologist
• Tim Crimmings, Teacher of Behavior Disorders, Learning Center
• Gerry Gritzmacher, Principal Four Oaks
• Vicki Eden, ECSE, Sector 1
• Carol Hunchis, Speech-Language Pathologist, Sector 1
• Patti Judy, Special Education Secretary, Iowa Falls office
• Judy Kenealy, Special Education Consultant, West Fork & North Butler
• Deb Price, ECSE, Sector 1
• Jo Reyerson, Special Education Secretary, Clear Lake office
• Connie Scherber, Speech-Language Pathologist/Discipline Facilitator, Sector 1
• Lois Schwade, Instructional Assistant, Francis Lauer Youth Services
• Evemarie Zimmerman, Teacher, Francis Lauer Youth Shelter
• Mike Brown, School Psychologist, Sector 1

Marshalltown

• Jo Ellen Darter, Special Education Secretary, Tama Office
• Larry Erion, Assistant Director of Educational Services/ESIP
• Linda Kromminga, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, Eldora Sector Office
• Barb Koth, Speech-Language Pathologist, Tama Office

(These are the names known as of April 18, 2012.)

The AEA 267 Board of Directors took action during their meeting this week to approve three recommendations for personnel to fill vacant Special Ed Coordinator positions as well as the Site Superintendent position in the Clear Lake office.

Judy Moser and Janelle Brouwer have been chosen to fill the Special Ed Coordinator positions. Judy has experience as a special education teacher, educational strategist, consultant, school psychologist, and administrative intern. She has been with the agency since 1975.

Janelle Brouwer is currently a middle school principal in the Western Dubuque Community School District. She has also been an elementary principal, special education teacher, and general education teacher and has 14 years of experience in education. She also has experience with the School Administration Management (SAM) model.

Beth Strike has been asked to assume responsibilities for the Site Superintendent position in the Clear Lake office. Beth will combine this responsibility with her current duties in communication for the agency. Beth is coming back to the agency full-time in both roles after previously serving the agency on a part-time basis. She’s been with the agency since 1994 in a variety of roles including communication and school/community planning. This position is a non-union support position with the agency.

Please join us in welcoming Judy, Janelle and Beth to their new roles!

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met April 4, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. in Woden-Crystal Lake Elementary in Crystal Lake for a Public Hearing regarding the proposed merger of Forest City and Woden-Crystal Lake School Districts. During the meeting:

• Dr. Roark Horn explained the purpose of the meeting.
• Steve Weidner, the attorney representing AEA 267, outlined the procedures to be followed.
• Rick Engel, the attorney representing the school districts, described the reorganization proposal.
• Opening arguments were given by Bruce Kluver, Woden-Crystal Lake Board President; Dave Bartlett, Forest City Board President; Dwight Widen, Woden-Crystal Lake Superintendent; and Darwin Lehmann, Forest City Superintendent.
• Comments were heard from individuals in the audience.
• Petitioners responded to comments and objections.
• Questions were heard from AEA 267 Board members.
• Hearing was closed.

View the Mason City Globe-Gazette story regarding board’s ruling for further detail and background.

Immediately following the public hearing on the proposed merger, the board held their regular meeting. During the meeting, the board:

• Renewed a three-month lease agreement with North Iowa Community Action for the Charles City sector office.
• Approved Board Policy 607.1 – Care, Maintenance and Disposal of Agency Records.
• Ratified the Collective Bargaining Contract for 2012-13 AEA 267 Communication Workers of America (CWA).
• Set non-union support staff salaries for 2012-13 as recommended.
• Set administrative staff salaries for 2012-13 as recommended.
• Heard reports from the chief administrator and fellow board members.

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 meeting will take place from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Group transportation may be available. Details, including the agenda, will be shared via Intersections. Please be sure you are reading!

The AEA 267 staff website (login: aeastaff/password: aea267ia) houses many valuable resources and tools for staff including employee forms, templates, remote/temporary work site information and much more!

Over the summer months, the staff website will be “refreshed” to better meet staff needs and accommodate a new content management system. This is an excellent time to provide your feedback regarding how the website could be better organized and resourced to meet your needs. Feedback? Leave your comment here or contact Beth Strike or Sue Hotzel with your thoughts.

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!