The Heartland AEA Board of Directors held its regular meeting on April 12, 2011.
Public Forum
No one was present to address the Board.
Discussion Items
Post-Employment Policy
Dr. Bridgewater reviewed the March 31 memorandum from Ms. Nola Bond, Director of Human Resources, regarding the future of the post-employment benefit and policy. Ms. Bond offered two recommendations that included keeping the current policy for additional years or approving the proposed policy drafted by the Post-Employment Committee. Board members discussed the financial impact of a post-employment benefit, if it was the best use of agency resources and the timing of sunsetting the policies.
Discussion:
• It’s a different time than in previous years. Who is best served by the Agency’s resources? Considering the financial times, there are different things we could do.
• I am not against a policy that says the Agency will use it as a tool when needed. I am against having a permanent policy.
• Our plan has served a purpose and has served the Agency well. The situation has changed and the policy should sunset in 2012. If it needs to come up again under different circumstances, then it can.
• I don’t want it to be a benefit. If it is, then it’s not a management tool that can be used to react to changing circumstances. It should, however, be considered on a regular basis as a consideration.
• Teachers are being severely criticized nationally and in the State. I am not sure it’s the time we want to give them an uppercut.
• I’m having difficulty sunsetting the policy with all the other transitions taking place. I wouldn’t have a problem with it sunsetting in 2013; I just don’t like the timeline of sunsetting in 2012.
Board Committee Reports and Updates
• Chief Administrator Evaluation Team – Board members were asked to review a draft process for evaluating the Chief Administrator and provide comments and input. Board members shared concerns about the extensiveness of the process and if it could be completed in segments. It was noted that thee evaluation also did not have to be written but could be verbal instead. Mr. Halliburton will work on creating a shortened evaluation with less process and will bring it back for further discussion at the May meeting.
• Board Self-Evaluation Committee – Board members agreed that they liked the questions on the self-evaluation but would prefer a new and different rating scale. Mr. Turnquist will bring back options to the May meeting.
• Cultural Competency Committee – The committee has not met.
• Professional Development Committee – The committee continues to work on the professional development plan that will become part of the Agency’s Continuous Improvement Plan.
• Board Policy Committee – The Board Policy Committee will meet again next week to review section 100 of the revised manual.
• Iowa Association for Educational Purchasing (IAEP) – Board members received an update about the IAEP at last week’s AEA Boards Conference. The transition from the Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) to the Iowa Association for Educational Purchasing continues.
Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Update
Dr. David Tilly and Dr. Paula Vincent met with the Department of Education to discuss the completion of the Continuous Improvement Plan. It was mutually agreed to postpone the deadline of April 1 by 90 days to allow time and consideration for the transitions that are taking place at both organizations. A MOTION was made to modify the Board agenda and go into closed session before the action and consent agenda items. Motion passed.
Closed Session
The Board entered into closed session at 6:42 p.m. to discuss matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent. It returned to public session at 7:40 p.m.
Action Items
Post-Employment Policy
A MOTION was made by Ms. Margaret Borgen and seconded by Dr. Jane Bell that policy #1 (the Agency’s current policy that’s in place) be continued through July 2012 and further that the need for such a policy will be evaluated annually at the September board meeting and at the pleasure of the Board or upon the recommendation of the Chief Administrator. Upon further discussion, Ms. Borgen withdrew her motion, and Dr. Jane Bell withdrew her second motion. MOTION WITHDRAWN.
A MOTION was made by Ms. Margaret Borgen and seconded by Dr. Steve Rose that all post-employment policies will terminate June 30, 2013. Furthermore, the need for such a policy will be evaluated annually at the September board meeting.
A roll call vote was taken.
Dr. Jane Bell Aye
Ms. Margaret Borgen Aye
Dr. Earl Bridgewater Aye
Mr. Bruce Christensen Aye
Mr. Cal Halliburton Nay
Dr. Steve Rose Aye
Ms. Marcy Sparks Nay
Mr. Nels Turnquist Nay
Ms. Ann Wilson Nay
Results: 5/4 vote, MOTION PASSED. (Clarification: The current policy will continue through June 30, 2012. On July 1, 2012 the policy shifts to a lesser benefit that expires June 30, 2013. On July 1, 2013, all policies cease unless the Board takes additional action. The next review date for the policy will be September 2012. )
Chief Administrator Comments
• The Board Advisory Council will meet again next week. The focus of the agenda will be to discuss the results of the AEA Task Force Study. Troyce Fisher from School Administrators of Iowa has agreed to facilitate the meeting.
• On June 7 & 8, Jason Glass, Director of the Department of Education, and the AEA Chief Administrators will hold a joint conference to discuss alignment of services between the organizations. A small task force is working on the agenda and additional bureau chiefs and directors from each AEA and the Department will be invited to participate.
• A special board meeting will be held on April 19 at 3:00 p.m. This is the second special meeting this month to discuss the direction of the Agency.
• Ms. Nola Bond, Director of Human Resources, has announced her resignation. She has decided to return to her hometown in southwest Iowa and has been offered a position with her previous employer.
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