The Channel

Although it is impossible to predict what the legislature will do, it appears that an extension of the current reduction in Social Security tax will not go beyond December of 2012. This means that beginning with your January 2013 paycheck, your actual “take home” pay could be 2% less. Please be aware of this possibility as you look ahead and plan your finances for 2013.

American Education Week presents a perfect opportunity to show appreciation for the positive contributions AEA 267 staff members make each and every day. Please take a moment to watch this brief podcast and accompanying video created especially for you. You may even spot someone you know in the video!

In response to staff feedback via survey and focus groups, a decision has been made to only hold all-staff meetings every three to five years. Dates have already been set for Sector/Agency meetings in each sector for August, 2013. Hopefully by getting these dates out far enough in advance, staff members will have ample time to adjust their summer calendars to attend without conflict. As a reminder, these meetings will be devoted both to sector-related business as well as agency updates. Please plan now to attend! All meetings will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

• Monday, August 12: Northwest Sector (Clear Lake Office)
• Tuesday, August 13: Northeast Sector (Waverly High School Rada Auditorium)
• Wednesday, August 14: East Sector (Cedar Falls Conference Center)
• Thursday, August 15: South Sector (Marshalltown Office)

The national IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) awarded Gina Greene the 2012 ITCA Regional Parent Leadership Award. The award is given annually to acknowledge parent leadership on behalf of infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. Winners are chosen for having made significant contributions in supporting and training families to advocate for their child(ren), serving on committees, and working on legislative initiatives that impact young children.

Gina Greene is an Early ACCESS Regional Coordinator with Area Education Agency 267 (AEA 267).  Gina has played an integral role in a variety of projects and served on committees in Iowa that have impacted infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. In her capacity with AEA 267, Gina works with AEA staff and community partners to improve the quality of services for children and families.

“We are thrilled that Gina has been recognized for her tireless efforts,” said Margie Jensen, AEA 267 Early ACCESS Regional Coordinator. “Children, families, and educators in our area are better for having Gina in their lives.”

Gina lives in Waterloo with her husband Paul.  They have three grown children, Lucas, Molly (Brian), and Tyler.  Gina is actively engaged in supporting her youngest son Tyler in his mission to educate the world in Ability Awareness, to show that what a person “Can Do” is more important than what they cannot.

By now, all classified and non-union support staff members have had their initial conferences with supervisors using the new evaluation rubrics developed collaboratively last spring. Staff members and supervisors used the rubrics to recognize both areas of strength as well as targeted areas for professional development and growth. The next step involves structuring professional development opportunities to meet common needs.

For more information about the evaluation rubrics, please visit the staff website or contact Kim Neal, Site Superintendent (Marshalltown office) or Dr. Anne Sullivan, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Human Resources.

Although fine-tuning continues to take place, the new AEA 267 website continues to draw many compliments. Many new features have been added to the site including a first-ever interactive map that allows staff members, parents, educators and others to click-to-view a list of all of the AEA 267 staff members serving each school district. Try it today!

To report a technical issue or content error on the new website, please contact Cindi Helgeson, AEA 267 Administrative Secretary-Information Technology.

Although we have had warmer-than-average temperatures and perfect conditions for travel, winter weather is undoubtedly in our future. Are you ready?

For information regarding how to learn about office closings and professional development cancellations, please visit the inclement weather page on our staff website. (Use your email login and password to gain access.) If you have questions after reviewing this information, please visit with your supervisor. Please remember that AEA 267 no longer uses the news media to announce closings/cancellations.

Stay safe!

The AEA 267 Emergency Procedures have now been updated and are available on the staff website and by hard copy in each AEA 267 building (arriving by November 16). Please take a moment to review the updated procedures and ensure that you are prepared in the unlikely event of an emergency.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met November 7, 2012 at 5 p.m. in the Sumner High School Auditorium along with the Keystone AEA Board of Directors for a public hearing regarding the proposed merger of the Sumner and Fredericksburg School Districts.

Dr. Roark Horn explained the purpose of the meeting. Steve Weidner, the attorney representing AEA 267, detailed the procedures to be followed. Rick Engel, the attorney representing the school districts, gave a description of the reorganization proposal. Mark Wendland, Fredericksburg Board President; Roger Shaffer, Sumner Board President; and Rick Pederson, Sumner and Fredericksburg Superintendent, gave opening arguments.

Comments were made by individuals in the audience. Petitioners responded to comments and objections. Questions were heard from the AEA 267 and Keystone AEA board members. The hearing was closed. The decision of the combined boards was to allow the districts to go to a reorganization vote. Immediately following the public hearing, the board held their regular meeting.

During the meeting, the board:

• Approved the GASB 45 (Government Accounting Standards Board) Service Agreement with IASB.
• Approved the reciprocal transportation agreement between Central Springs and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School Districts.
• Approved the reciprocal transportation agreement between West Fork and Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock School Districts.