The Channel

For the first time, all of the AEAs are putting their online courses in one place. The result is AEA PD Online, and it is up and running, available for registration.

Educators across the state have taken advantage of online courses. Online courses fit better in busy schedules, as instructors can choose when during the day it works for them to log in.  They provide a 21st century learning experience, embedded with digital resources and self-directed activity, mixed with digital collaboration with classmates. And it saves on the costs of gas!

Currently AEA PD Online is offering summer courses on Google Apps, project-based learning, integration of web 2.0 tools, and much more.  To register for courses, check out our registration system at https://prodev.aeapdonline.org.  For more information, check out our website at http://www.iowaaea.org, and click on the AEA PD Online link.

The Iowa Educators’ Consortium (IEC) was recently made aware that any State of Iowa employee (teachers, administrators and school support staff) taking advantage of the discount on personal cell phone plans with US Cellular may need to renew or ‘re-apply’ for the discount (PED1008) every two years. In other words, the discount automatically falls off the customer’s account after two years from the original sign-up date. At that time, anyone wishing to continue receiving the discount will need to follow the same application procedure as they did originally, via the www.uscellular.com/partner website or calling US Cellular’s customer service line at (800) 819-9373. Below is an excerpt of the terms and conditions for the PED program, as provided by US Cellular:

“Terms and Conditions:
Consumer Single Line Plans of $49.95 and higher and Family Plans of $69.95 and higher are eligible. New 2-year agreement required for customers on new lines of service or not on Belief Plans. Discount will only be applied to the monthly charge for your chosen plan. Discount not available on Wireless Modem, Data or any other service plans. Discount not available on equipment or accessories. U.S. Cellular may require that you provide proof of your employment. If you are no longer an employee of the eligible organization or if the organization is no longer a business customer of U.S. Cellular, U.S. Cellular reserves the right to remove any discount that has been applied to your account without notice. Customer must re-apply or verify employment every two years. All terms and conditions of the U.S. Cellular Customer Service Agreement apply to your participation in this program. The discount will be applied to your account within 1-2 billing cycles.”

At this time, we would also like to remind you that this specific discount is brought to you by the State of Iowa’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The program is in no part obtained via the Iowa Educators Consortium. Our role with this is to simply make schools aware of the fact that the discount exists and that they are eligible to take advantage of it. The IEC has no control whatsoever over the terms and conditions of the discount and agreement.

Did you know that there are 2,023 school board members representing K-12 education in Iowa? Collectively, they help to ensure accountability and results for the $3.9 billion dollars in education spending in our state. Every year, school and AEA board members volunteer countless hours of time for the benefit of Iowa students. AEA board members especially, often go without the recognition they deserve for their efforts. Unfamiliar with who the men and women are serving on the AEA 267 Board of Directors? Learn more today and say “thank you” for their service!

In case you missed it or don’t receive the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, the newspaper published an extensive feature story on Sunday, May 1 about the agency’s efforts around Second Chance Reading and the impact those efforts are having on students. Becky Williams, AEA 267 Consultant for Reading/Language Arts, was featured in the article.

Dr. Roark Horn, AEA 267 Chief Administrator, was also featured in the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier along with his daughters, Shannon and Megan. All three from the Horn family will receive degrees from the University of Northern Iowa at commencement exercises on Saturday, May 7.

Edie Penno, AEA 267 Special Education Coordinator, appeared as the feature guest on a recent broadcast of KSMQ TV’s “Heart of the Matter” program. Penno shared information about autism and AEA 267 autism services.

The Board met May 4, 2011 at 6 p.m. in the AEA 267 Conference Center for their regular meeting. Members were each presented a certificate of recognition by Dr. Horn for Board Appreciation Week.

During the board meeting, the board:

• Accepted with regret the retirement of Pat Hagerstrom, Special Education Consultant (Cedar Falls), effective end of 2010-11 school year.
• Accepted the resignations of Laurie Field, Teacher of Mental Disabilities (Irving Elementary in Waverly); Michelle Keough, Teacher of Multi Disabilities/SCI (Union Middle School in Dysart); Christopher McClain, Teacher of Multi Disabilities/SCI (Clarksville Elementary); and Laura Mullaney, School Psychologist (Roosevelt Elementary in Mason City); all resigning at the end of the 2010-11 school year.
• Motioned to hire Joshua Schneiderman, Teacher of Multi Disabilities (Durant Elementary, Sumner) and Sandra Ubben, Consultant for Mathematics (Cedar Falls).
• Approved an agreement with Jester Insurance for Agent of Record services for AEA 267’s Workman’s Comprehensive Insurance Program.
• Approved the EMC Insurance program for 2011-2012.
• Approved a recommendation to terminate a licensed staff contract.
• Approved the amended contract for 2010-11 and approved the contract for 2011-12 with Iowa Department of Human Services for services provided at the Iowa State Training School, Eldora.
• Approved the contract with the Iowa Juvenile Home for Psychologist Services.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

Three area paraeducators recently received the 2011 AEA 267 Outstanding Paraeducator Award. Peg Hennings, Union Community School District; Judy Bodecker, AEA 267 Castle Hill School; and Stephanie Mulford, CAL Community School District all were recognized.

Other nominees included Ann Brown, Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District; Rayjean Cory, AEA 267 River Hills School; Judy Crom, West Fork Schools; Dawn Doeden, AEA 267 Castle Hill; Courtney Friest, South Hardin Community School District; Robert Gross, AEA 267 River Hills; Brenda Hagenow, Tripoli Community School District; Julie Hussey, Blessed Sacrament; Janie Laipple, Cedar Falls Community School District; Donna Ponto, AEA 267 Four Oaks; and Marjean Wyatt, AEA 267 Castle Hill.

Congratulations to both the winners and nominees!

Please watch for a yellow envelope coming to you via van mail with information related to:

• Health and Dental insurance enrollment for Plan Year July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012
• Flexible Benefit Plan
• Health Care Reform Changes and Disclosures

This will be your only opportunity to change insurance plans and sign up for Flexible Benefits if desired. The enrollment deadline is June 2, 2011.

For more information, contact Betty Beauregard, Benefits Specialist at (319) 273-8202.

Nearly 1,700 teachers and administrators responded to the annual Iowa Department of Education AEA Customer Feedback Survey administered this spring. While responses are down slightly from a high of approximately 1,900 last year, the information will provide an abundance of quality feedback from which to continually refine and improve our programs and services. More details to come regarding results!

Guided by suggestions from staff members and AEA 267 administration, the agency will pilot two new programs which will provide eligible employees with an opportunity to work from their home on a temporary or more permanent basis.

The Remote Work Site (RWS) program is designed for those employees whose responsibilities are suited to conducting all of their office work at a remote site, such as their home office. In this type of arrangement, the employee retains access to shared AEA 267 office space when needed rather than maintain an assigned office.

The Temporary Work Site (TWS) program provides eligible employees with the flexibility to work remotely on an intermittent basis either because of inclement weather (when the employee had planned to work in the office) or to accommodate work on a special project.

Both programs are voluntary. A group of employees will participate in pilots based on their interest and eligibility.

For more information visit the RWS/TWS page on the staff website (login: aeastaff/password: aea267ia).