The Channel

Last month’s ice and snow reminded all of us that winter is not over yet! Staff members responsible for carrying out the weather procedures met in February and helped generate a list of frequently asked questions about procedures. Questions and answers can be found on the AEA 267 staff website (username: aeastaff and password: aea267ia).

The annual AEA/DE Customer Feedback Survey will launch on March 9 and be open for responses until April 9. The survey link will be sent to all AEA 267 educators in both public and non-public school districts. Last year, over 1,900 educators served by the agency responded to the survey—the best response rate in the history of the survey’s administration. The data from the survey are used to help inform agency continuous improvement efforts. Please encourage those you serve to respond

The Black Hawk Gaming Commission has granted $100,000 to the AEA 267 River Hills Foundation to help fund a major playground improvement project. The commission funds programs, projects and activities for organizations and communities in the Cedar Valley.

“We are thrilled by this incredible gift,” said Rod Ball, AEA 267 Assistant Director of Special Education—Instruction. “This will go a long way toward meeting our goal of establishing a modern playground facility for our AEA 267 River Hills students.”

Students at AEA 267 Bremwood will host an art show on April 8 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. The public is invited to attend.

“This is one of the bigger events for our students and staff,” said Justin Stockdale, AEA 267 Bremwood principal. “Our kids were all smiles last year during the show when seeing the community members ‘oohing and ahhing’ over their work.”

The agency has purchased three automatic defibrillator units to be installed in each main service delivery center conference area (Cedar Falls Conference Center, Marshalltown office and Clear Lake office). The purchase was part of the agency’s recently completed Emergency Response Plan which includes ensuring that all offices are equipped with emergency first aid kids, flashlights and staff members trained in basic first aid, CPR and defibrillator use. The conference centers were selected for the defibrillator installation because of the high traffic they receive.

Deb McGowan, AEA 267 Program Specialist, died of a sudden illness on February 24. Deb was a 17-year veteran of the Area Education Agency system and was deeply respected and well liked by her co-workers. Deb treasured her family, especially her grandchildren, friends, singing, scrap booking, and following Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football. Support and sympathy are extended to her family, friends and co-workers.

Students at AEA 267 Devonshire provided a helping hand to naturalists at Hartman Reserve Nature Center during the recent maple syrup production process. Their efforts were featured in the March 3 edition of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

The AEA 267 Board of Directors met from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. on March 4, 2009 in the AEA 267 Administrative Conference Room for a Board Retreat session on collective bargaining. Afterwards the Audit Committee met from 5:30 – 5:45 p.m.

The Board reconvened at 6:00 p.m. in the AEA 267 Conference Center in Cedar Falls for their regular meeting.

During the regular meeting, the board:

• Watched a presentation by Marc Groen, Special Education Support, on Naturally Speaking, an assistive technology device.
• Accepted with regret the retirements of Mary Heber, Teacher of Mental Disabilities/Severe & Profound (River Hills), effective 01-12-09; Liz Wenger, Speech-Language Pathologist (Sector 3, Iowa Falls), effective 12/31/09; and Mary Beshir, Speech-Language Pathologist (Clear Lake); Pam Bottorff, Teacher of Multi Disabilities/Resource (New Hartford Elem.); Phoebe Drape, Teacher of Mental Disabilities (Tripoli Middle/High School); Al Hodapp, School Psychologist (Clear Lake); all effective end of 2008-09 school year.
• Authorized Administration to seek bids for a school bus and van for next year.
• Approved recommendations from AEA 267 Information Technology Service Area Director Jerry Schnabel for computer purchases.
• Reviewed the 700 and 800 series of board policies: General Public Relations and Division Operations.
• Heard a variety of reports from directors and fellow board members.

It is no secret that the Governor’s across-the-board cuts, declining enrollment, federal funding issues, and now a likelihood of a partially funded allowable growth rate will all have an effect on our Agency. Staff reduction will be a necessary result of these changes as we prepare for 2009-2010. It is hoped that normal attrition (i.e., retirements and voluntary resignations) will cover most, if not all, of the necessary reductions.

If you are planning a retirement or voluntary resignation at the end of the 2008-09 school year, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting Shirley Horak. The more we know and the sooner we know, the easier it will be for the Agency to plan for 2009-2010 without disturbing the lives and plans of others. Thank you for helping if this applies to you.

Many unknowns still exist regarding 2009-2010. What will be the number of retirements and voluntary resignations? Will the Governor’s proposed budget be approved? What decisions will the legislature make regarding school and AEA funding? Will the federal stimulus package have an impact on our AEA? What will be the cost of health insurance for next year? All of the above will have an impact on 2009-2010.