March 2011 Board of Directors Meeting Recap

The March 2011 Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting was held on March 8, 2011.

Public Forum
No one was present to address the Board.

Discussion Items Board Recognition
Dr. David Tilly spoke about the partnership between Heartland and the Waukee Community School District. Dr. Angelisa Fynaardt, Professional Learning and Leadership Consultant; Dr. Andrea Matheson, Assessment Consultant; Dr. Stacy Volmer, Program Assistant; and Ms. Roxanne Cumings, Director of Student Services for Waukee Schools were recognized for their exemplary work in autism and with students with challenging behaviors. Their work has strengthened the partnership between Heartland and the district. Dr. Bridgewater thanked them for their service to the Agency and for the services they provide students.

Board Learning
Board members performed a group activity regarding the last chapters of the book they are studying, How the Mighty Fall, by Jim Collins. Board members were asked to share something they learned from the book and their ideas on how to keep the Agency from moving toward decline. Some board members did not like the book and others felt there were many affirmations for things that could prevent the Agency from decline, such as honesty, listening, being realistic and not being arrogant. Board members discussed ideas for future professional development such as reading literature from other intermediate agencies.

Board Committee Reports
• Chief Administrator Evaluation Team: A draft evaluation instrument has been prepared and will be sent home with each board member. Board members are to review, study and send any comments or ideas about the instrument to Mr. Cal Halliburton within the next few weeks. He hopes to have a final document ready for the April or May board meeting.
• Board Self-Evaluation Committee: Board members agreed the questions on the self-evaluation were adequate, however there were concerns about the level of performance section of the evaluation. Mr. Nels Turnquist will present recommendations at the April board meeting.
• Cultural Competency Committee: The Culture Competency Committee discussed if any of its activities were overlapping work done by other groups.
• Professional Development Committee: Ms. Sharon Kurns shared that as part of the Agency’s Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), a professional development plan was being drafted. A special meeting will be held on March 17 at 1:00 p.m. to begin work on the draft.
• Board Policy Committee: The committee continues to meet and is working towards reducing the number of policies within the manual. Specific policies related to rules and regulations would be removed and become part of staff functions. Board members encouraged the committee’s efforts.

Iowa Association for Educational Purchasing
Dr. Paula Vincent discussed the current status of the Iowa Association for Educational Purchasing (IAEP). In 2008, a lawsuit was filed against the AEAs for the portion of the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) that deals with food purchases. The lawsuit is still unresolved and lies with the Iowa Supreme Court. In the meantime, due to concerns raised by the Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture, legal counsel recommended that the IEC no longer be allowed to purchase food and a 28E agreement was developed instead. The IAEP is not totally different from the IEC and is following Iowa Code provisions for food corporations. Dr. Bridgewater was elected to the Board of Directors and more information is expected at the April AEA Governing Boards Conference. It’s the intent of the IEC to continue to provide all other cooperative purchasing services to districts except food purchasing during this transition period, as it’s a huge cost savings for schools.

Closed Session
The Board of Directors entered into closed session at 6:36 p.m. to discuss 2011-12 negotiations and returned to public session at 7:12 p.m.

Action Items
Post-Employment Policy
This action item was tabled until the April board meeting.

Recommendations from Closed Session
There were no recommendations from the closed session.

Board Comments
• Dr. Steve Rose spoke about the amazing people he works with at Heartland. Dr. Bridgewater and Dr. Vincent have both spoken to his graduate classes and were impressive. He expressed his gratitude to both.
• Ms. Margaret Borgen referred board members to the Iowa Kids First website at iowakidsfirst.org. Board members can sign an electronic letter to legislators asking them to provide fair and adequate funding to educate Iowa’s children. Over 7,000 signatures have been collected so far.
• Dr. Paula Vincent discussed Senate File 382 that is a pilot program for districts to provide their own special education services. She asked board members to be watchful, as there is some sentiment for AEAs to become sale-for-service agencies.
• Dr. Bridgewater spoke about the Iowa Association of School Boards’ (IASB) efforts to renew and regain confidence. He encouraged board members to be part of their activities.
• Board members were reminded about registering for the AEA Board of Directors Conference. The conference will be held on April 7 & 8 at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel.

Chief Administrator Comments
• The AEAs have agreed to partner with the Iowa Department of Education for an Education Summit to be held on July 25 & 26. U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, has agreed to speak. Details will be shared as they become finalized.