December 2010 Board of Directors Meeting Recap

The Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting was held on December 14, 2010.

Public Forum
No one was present to address the Board.

Discussion Items
Interest-Based Bargaining
Mr. Jim Riordan from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) was present to talk about interest-based bargaining (IBB). IBB is a way of negotiating in an open way that notes both parties’ fundamental interests complement each other. Since board members are key stakeholders in the operation of the Agency, it’s important for them to know the three principals of IBB: 1. separate people from the problem, 2. focus on interests, not on positions and 3. use consensus decision-making. Members of the negotiation team should be active participants but the facilitator should remain neutral. Iowa law requires that there be two open negotiation meetings to exchange interests between parties. Following the meetings, there are steps to help reach consensus and finalize solutions. Each of the steps helps address the problem, why the problem is being raised, the criteria used to compare and judge options, generate potential solutions and evaluate options to reach a solution. A contract is a living organism that changes each time it comes up for renewal, and the team always has the power to review to see how it’s working and change when necessary. IBB is a civil and successful way to do business.

Closed Session
A MOTION was made by Mr. Cal Halliburton and seconded by Mr. Nels Turnquist to enter into closed session as provided in Section 21.9 of the Iowa Code to discuss the 2011-12 negotiation process.

The Board of Directors entered into closed session at 6:12 p.m. to discuss 2011-12 negotiations and returned to public session at 6:57 p.m.

Discussion Items Continued
Request for Proposal for 2011 Agency Auditor
The Agency is at the end of a three-year agreement with its auditor, Pittman & Company. Board members reviewed a draft of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to be sent to qualifying companies seeking proposals for the 2011 audit. There is no dissatisfaction with the current auditor; it is good practice for the Agency to periodically seek other bids.

6500 Regional Education Center Progress Report
Mr. Steve Prall provided a memorandum for the Board that summarized the current progress of the Johnston Regional Education Center remodeling project.

Action Items
Iowa Association for Education Purchasing 28E Agreement
A MOTION was made by Dr. Jane Bell and seconded by Mr. Cal Halliburton to approve the Iowa Association for Education Purchasing 28E Agreement. Motion passed.

Purchase Request – ECS, Inc.
A MOTION was made by Ms. Ann Wilson and seconded by Mr. Bruce Christensen to approve the purchase request for ESC, Inc. pursuant to RFP#11-01 for Professional Development Classroom Audio Visual System in the amount of $156,669.95 contingent on ECS, Inc. providing a Performance Bond of five percent and a Certificate of Insurance within 10 days of approval. Motion passed.

Chief Administrator Comments
• The relocation of the print shop started today. The machines will be back up and running by December 17.
• The print shop is under a five-year agreement. There may be some pieces that need to be brought to the Board as we look at staffing issues, however there is nothing else to bring forward at this time.
• At the Chief Administrators’ meeting on December 16 and 17, we hope to receive an update on the AEA Study. Hopefully we will have a final draft of the study by the first of the year.