The Channel

Although we will not be meeting as a large group on August 18, the agency plans to hold virtual meetings that day by region and department.

Each Regional Administrator or Director will be responsible for setting the schedule and agenda for the day and will be in touch soon with details. Essentially, each meeting will begin with some agency-wide updates with additional time being spent discussing regional protocols for returning to work safely (for those employees coming back on contract) as well as district “Return to Learn” plans. Time will also be devoted to discipline-level conversation.

Please put August 18 on your calendar with a plan to say “welcome back” to your colleagues virtually! We look forward to connecting with you.

Although the agency has a plan for phasing staff back to work (see “Returning” to Work – A message from the Chief) the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors passed a Pandemic Pay Resolution during this week’s board meeting to acknowledge that some staff members on contract through the summer months may not be working a 40-hour work week due to uncontrollable circumstances related to the demand for service. We continue to extend our gratitude for the support and wisdom of the board in caring about our staff during these challenging times. 

Please be sure you are in touch with your supervisor related to the work expectations and timelines during this time.

Angela Sorenson

Please join us in welcoming Angie Sorenson to the Business Department as Accounts Payable Specialist, Angie is replacing Cindy Fry who is retiring at the end of June. Please direct all questions related to mileage, travel reimbursement, vendor invoices, and other bills to Angie for assistance.

Summer hours were set to begin on June 8 and end on August 10.  Due to the office closure to the public through July 31, office hours will not change for the summer months.

Due to the risks associated with Covid-19, all professional learning scheduled for June, July and August will remain virtual with no face-to-face option. A decision about September professional learning will be made at a later date when we have more information. Please reach out to the Professional Learning department if you’d like additional support in leading or participating in a virtual setting.

Congratulations to Glenn Maring, Telecommunications Support Technician, and Sandy Kruse, Early Childhood Special Educator, who recently announced their retirement. We wish both Glenn and Sandy well and extend our appreciation for their dedicated service!

Applications for Remote Work Site (RWS) will be accepted through June 19 for the 2020-21 year. Only those working RWS on a regular basis need to fill out the application form. Applications and details can be found on the Portal under My  Toolbox > Remote Work Site Program.

May is set aside as School Board Recognition Month and is the perfect time to thank our dedicated board members!  Serving over 62,000 students, 5,000 educators, and approximately 500 staff members, these nine committed volunteers are the backbone of the agency, setting the course for our work!

• Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson, Director District 1 – Districts represented: Central Springs, Clear Lake, Forest City, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Lake Mills, North Iowa, Northwood-Kensett, St. Ansgar, and West Hancock.
• Dr. Debra Rich, Board President, Director District 2 – Districts represented: Charles City, Dike-New Hartford, Dunkerton, Nashua-Plainfield, Sumner-Fredericksburg, Tripoli, Wapsie Valley, and Waverly-Shell Rock.
• Kathryn Enslin, Director District 3 – Districts represented: AGWSR, Alden, Aplington-Parkersburg, CAL, Clarksville, Eldora-New Providence, Grundy Center, Hampton-Dumont, Hubbard-Radcliffe, Iowa Falls, and North Butler.
• Dr. Darshini Jayawardena, Director District 4 – Districts represented: Belmond-Klemme, Mason City, Osage, Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock, and West Fork.
• Dr. Mary Stevens, Director District 5 – Districts represented: BCLUW, East Marshall, GMG, Marshalltown & West Marshall.
• Maureen Hanson, Board Vice-President, Director District 6 – Districts represented: BGM, Gladbrook-Reinbeck, Grinnell-Newburg, Hudson, Montezuma, North Tama County, South Tama County, and Union.
• Dr. Tony Reid, Director District 7 – Districts represented: Cedar Falls, Denver, and Janesville.
• Bryan Burton, Director District 8 – District represented: Waterloo.
• Dennis Craun Jr., Director District 9 – Districts represented: East Buchanan, Independence, Jesup, and Waterloo.

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 learned 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? Holly Ritter, Consultant for Reading/Language Arts.