The Channel

Many districts have submitted their 2020-2021 calendars, which are available online on the staff website under Resources > District Calendars. Continue to check back as the remaining calendars are submitted.

We made it to June! This meme seems to sum up perfectly how I’ve been feeling lately. It’s been an intense past few months and I think we are all anxious to make our best attempt at enjoying the nicer weather and more relaxed pace of summer, despite the fact that Covid-19 has not gone away and likely won’t for many more months.

Over the past several weeks, our agency administrative team, in support of the board, has been working on a “Return to Work” plan which began June 1. I use the word “return” a bit lightly because I know that the work didn’t stop for the majority of us while we have been working remotely. Our plan details are as follows:

Phase 1: Approximately June 1

Safety protocols were specifically designed for each of the following departments who have now physically returned to work (or will in the coming days). Our Phase I staff members can’t physically do their work from a remote setting which necessitated their return along with the fact that they have essential responsibilities to perform. We appreciate their commitment to keeping vital services such as equipment repair, custodial maintenance, printing, and the processing of media materials operational.

• Information Technology
• Maintenance
• Media 
• Print/Production 

Phase 2: Approximately August 1

In Phase 2, we will move from essential/critical workers to lower exposure risk staff (office-based) who are eligible to return to a physical office location. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) defines these workers as having minimal occupational contact with the public and other co-workers. Office-based staff are considered lower exposure risk given that they have limited public contact and social distancing is easy to accommodate. Others may continue to work from home as deemed appropriate and necessary by their supervisor. Those employee groups who are identified as eligible to return to the office during Phase 2 include:

• Administration
• Administrative Assistants
• Business Office
• Human Resources Department
• Creative Services 
• Receptionists

Each department is developing unique safety protocols in collaboration with Human Resources to mitigate risk and create an environment that is as safe as possible in light of what we know today about the spread of the virus. These protocols will be shared with “Phase 2” staff members prior to returning in August. Special considerations will be given to those employees deemed to be in a high risk category. If you feel that this applies to you, please contact the Human Resources department.

For those staff members who work primarily out in schools, reaching a conclusion on specific protocols will be heavily dependent on the Return To Learn plans that are developed by each district and due July 1. Rest assured that the agency will have a strong voice in the conversation to ensure that Central Rivers AEA employees are put in the safest position possible while delivering service. Much more to come on this topic as details begin to emerge! Also note that because Covid-19 is an evolving pandemic, our decisions may change as we continue to stay in conversation with public health officials and analyze the data in our area. This is still a very fluid situation.

Questions about returning to work? More specific details and direction will likely be coming from your supervisor. In the meantime, feel free to share any questions, concerns or ideas with Karl Kurt, who is heading up our Return to Work effort.

Earlier this week, the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors authorized Chief Administrator, Sam Miller,  to pay hourly and/or non-exempt employees and contracted, salaried and management employees their customary and regular pay, for a period extending through the end of the fiscal year during the temporary closure. The resolutions also state that if the Central Rivers AEA operations continue to be closed through the end of the fiscal year (i.e., later than June 30, 2020), then the Board shall reconvene and determine what authority, if any, the Chief Administrator has to continue paying hourly and/or non-exempt employees and contracted, salaried and management employees during the temporary closure.

We can’t thank our Central Rivers AEA board enough for their support during this challenging time!

The Open Enrollment period for insurance will be April 20 through May 10. Even if you do not take insurance, you must go through the open enrollment process, which can be found on the Portal under My Benefits > Benefits Enrollment. Be sure to go through each step carefully. 

Information regarding the plans is under My Benefits > 2020-21 Insurance Information.  

An insurance presentation for all staff will be held on Thursday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. and the Zoom information to join is below.

Join Zoom Meeting on Apr 23, 2020, 1:00 PM
https://zoom.us/j/94207741241
Meeting ID: 942 0774 1241
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,94207741241#

Help celebrate Administrative Professionals Day on April 22 by taking the time to recognize our outstanding office support staff. This group of office support staff have been instrumental in helping keep the agency up and running during the temporary closure. We couldn’t do what we do without them! 

Please join us in congratulating our retirees and recognizing them for their dedication and years of service to the agency.  Those retiring this year include:

• Nancy Conner, Special Education Consultant – 19 years
• Cindy Fry, Accounts Payable Specialist – 11 years
• Peggy Gannon, Speech-Language Pathologist – 22 years 
• Gina Greene, Early Access Regional Coordinator – 7 years
• Dr. Jon McKenzie, Director of Assessment and Comprehensive Improvement – 15 years
• Dixie Opperman, Special Education Consultant – 12 years
• Elizabeth Przybylski, Special Education Consultant – 40 years
• Sandy Raney, Speech-Language Pathologist – 19 years
• Pat Rzepny, Work Experience Coordinator – 13 years
• Dr. Carol Sensor, Regional Administrator/Site Superintendent – 33 years
• Miriam Simpson, Occupational Therapist – 33 years
• Cindy Skopec, Early Childhood Special Educator – 42 years
• Kim Swartz, Director of Instruction/Site Superintendent – 20 years

This year’s retirement celebration will look a little different due to the pandemic crisis and we will be holding a virtual celebration May 15, beginning at 9:00 am. The following Zoom information can be used to join the celebration: 

Join Zoom Celebration
https://centralriversaea.zoom.us/j/97343593270
Meeting ID: 973 4359 3270
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,97343593270#

While our Navigate wellness portal is still open and you can still earn points for your efforts, our Human Resources department is also rolling out  Wellness Wednesdays to help us navigate our “new normal” during the pandemic. This new initiative is designed to help keep us connected as an agency and is filled with tips, resources, and fun activities to support your health and well-being.  Check in each Wednesday or any day of the week that you need a little mental break.  

Tired of seeing your living room or kitchen behind you during your multiple Zoom meetings each week? Worried you forgot to pick up the kids’ toys before you clicked ‘join’? We’ve got the solution – use one of the new agency branded backgrounds!

• From this Google folder, download the background you’d like to try on your computer desktop. 
• Open the Zoom application.
• Click on zoom.us in the upper left-hand corner of the computer. 
• Go to Preferences and then Virtual Backgrounds.
• Click on the + sign and upload the background of your choice.
  

If you need assistance, reach out to the Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@centralriversaea.org or call 319-273-8231.

Zoom released an update on April 8 that will make Zoom meetings more private and secure. To benefit from these features, you will need to update your Zoom account. Please follow these directions to take action.  

The dates for the 2020-21 regional meetings have been set and are as follows:

• August 18, 2020 – All-Staff meeting
• September 18, 2020
• October 14, 2020
• November 11, 2020
• December 15, 2020
• January 11, 2021
• February 11, 2021
• April 12, 2021
• May 13, 2021 – All-Staff meeting

Do you ever wonder how your other Central Rivers AEA co-workers spend their work life? (Okay, we mean when we aren’t safe at home during a pandemic!) On the Job @Central Rivers AEA is a monthly series we’ve just launched to give you a peek into the work of others in the agency. Each month, Chief Administrator Sam Miller spent time with a Central Rivers AEA employee and learn more about the work involved in their position. These highlight videos will also be shared on our website and social media sites to help educate the public about the work of an AEA.

Up this month? Katie Devereaux, Early Childhood Special Educator.

The all-region meeting will be held on May 15 in Cedar Falls. Registration and social time begin at 8:30 with the meeting to begin at 9 am. An agency-wide retirement celebration honoring all of our retirees will be held from 9-10 am. A Zoom link for the retirement ceremony will be made available for those who are not required to attend the meeting.

From 10-10:45 am, time will be spent exploring the agency’s strategic plan. After that, regions will meet from 11 am-12 pm with disciplines meeting in the afternoon. Room assignments will be on the monitors the day of the meeting. Watch for more details next month!

This month, we continue our agency updates highlighting the three main focus areas of the agency strategic plan by focusing on Future Ready. Jen Sigrist, Executive Director of Media and Innovation, and lead for Future Ready, describes the work and what it means for you.

CRAEA has been following the global outbreak of COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. This topic has captured the media’s attention, and much of the reporting may generate fear and uncertainty.

We wanted to share information specific to our CRAEA team along with some simple, easy steps that you can take to help prevent the spread of any contagious virus, including COVID-19.

Similar to the flu virus, those at greatest risk of complications from COVID-19 are the very old, very young, and those with other chronic or underlying medical conditions. As of this weekend, there were three presumptive positive cases in Iowa although the vast majority of Americans have a low risk of exposure. 

The agency actively prepares for a variety of scenarios that could impact our staff. Tactics such as the use of disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer stations are in place to respond to public health concerns. (More of these will be added in the coming days and supplies will be available for your use out in the field. Check with the receptionist at each of our three locations next week.)

This is not the first health situation to potentially impact our CRAEA community. When the United States experienced an outbreak of the H1N1 virus a decade ago, we were prepared. Not only are we following many of the guidelines from that situation, but we added new systems to help disinfect our buildings.

Staff members can help by following these simple, easy steps that help prevent the spread of ALL contagious viruses, including COVID-19. 

Practice the same routine hygiene used to help prevent the cold and flu.

• Wash your hands
• Stay home when sick
• Avoid contact with the sick
• Clean and disinfect 

Where you get your information about this virus is important. Look for information from reliable and trusted experts. Social media posts often report partial or inaccurate information.

• World Health Organization
• World Health Organization: Coronavirus FAQs
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Iowa Department of Public Health

Do you ever wonder how your other Central Rivers AEA co-workers spend their work life? On the Job @Central Rivers AEA is a monthly series we’ve just launched to give you a peek into the work of others in the agency. Each month, Chief Administrator, Sam Miller will spend time with a Central Rivers AEA employee and learn more about the work involved in their position. These highlight videos will also be shared on our website and social media sites to help educate the public about the work of an AEA.

Up this month? Lacey Brakebill, Team Representative. 

Karl Kurt, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of HR

Similar to last year, we reopened our negotiations to increase the previously agreed-upon settlements. Our current financial health and a desire to achieve both a salary raise, while still increasing our self-insurance, have led us to agree to a higher settlement for 2020-21.  

In an effort to prepare for a potential downturn in the future, we have agreed to decrease (i.e., buy down) the second year of the negotiated settlement.  

The plan was ratified by each association group and was approved by the Board on March 4, 2020.

For 2020-21:

EA (Certified) — Increased from 1.7% to 2.15% Total Package

• Salary Increase = 2.21%
• Total Package Cost  =$699,863
• Notes: Step movement as applicable, $360 increase to salary schedule base (New Base: $34,805), $10/month increase in employer health contribution, $4.15/month increase in employer dental contribution

*The change from 1.7% to 2.15% was an increase of $146,417 to the settlement package.

CWA (Classified) — Increased from 1.7% to 2.50% Total Package

• Salary Increase = 2.76%
• Total Package Cost  =$83,879
• Notes: Step movement as applicable, $.30 increase to base for each category base on wage table, $10/month increase in employer health contribution, $4.15/month increase in employer dental contribution

*The change from 1.7% to 2.5% was an increase of $26,865 to the settlement package.

NUSS — Increased from 1.7% to 2.15% Total Package

• Salary Increase = 2.27%
• Total Package Cost  =$63,636
• Notes: Previously agreed to increase the insurance distribution $470 for qualifying employees based on reduction in family health contributions ($169.66/month), $10/month increase in employer health contribution, $4.15/month increase in employer dental contribution

*The change from 1.7% to 2.15% was an increase of $13,245 the settlement package.

Administration — Increased from 1.7% to 2.15% Total Package

• Salary Increase = 2.08%
• Total Package Cost  =$102,093
• Notes: $10/month increase in employer health contribution, $4.15/month increase in employer dental contribution

*The change from 1.7% to 2.15% was an increase of $21,502 to the settlement package.

For 21-22:  1.5% total package for each group (EA, CWA, NUSS, and ADMIN)

Language Changes: 

• Adoption Leave — We will add language so that a Grandparent can attend an adoption ceremony, similar to attending the birth of a child.  This one day leave will come from your own sick leave bank. 

Thoughts:

• We are fiscally healthy and desire to be as aggressive as we possibly can with our settlements.  However, we also desire to be prepared for uncertain financial times. Thus, the lower settlement for the 2nd year of our agreement.  We believe this is an aggressive, yet conservative approach.

It is our hope that our willingness to reopen settlements and to increase the negotiated amounts is received positively.  We realize we have an amazing team, and we want to honor you and the work you do. We will continue to work to provide raises while maintaining security and a solid fiscal condition while balancing the need for additional staff in the field.  

$550,000 –  NEW MONEY (2% SSA*)    

$950,000  – PROJECTED COSTS

= ($400,000) Shortage

UPDATE — 2.3% SSA = $750,000 of New Money; Shortage drops to $200,000

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call, email, or set up a meeting so we can discuss them.