The May 2011 Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting was held on May 10, 2011.
Public Forum
No one was present to address the Board.
Discussion Items Board Recognition
Ms. Sharon Kurns recognized Susan Schrader, Resources and Publications Supervisor, and Jan Carl, Library Clerk, for their hard work and flexibility during the remodeling and merger of the Agency’s libraries. The completion of the library remodel wouldn’t have been possible without their help as well as the other library staff members. The libraries were previously structured as three separate areas consisting of professional materials, children’s books and videos and DVDs. Over the last few years, staff has worked to make it one library and a major resource for educators. The library circulates 10,000 items a week, and teachers depend on the Agency’s service and quality materials.
Board Committee Reports and Updates
• Chief Administrator Evaluation Team – The committee will meet again on May 20 to create a final draft of the evaluation document and process. It will be ready for review at the June board meeting.
• Board Self-Evaluation Committee – The Board decided to keep the previous evaluation questions and will decide on a different rating scale, possibly a five-point scale.
• Cultural Competency Committee – The committee is excited about moving their work out to the regions and will meet again in June.
• Professional Development Committee – The committee will meet on May 20.
• Board Advisory Council – The council met in April and discussed priorities for working with districts. A meeting will be scheduled again during the summer.
• Board Policy Committee – The committee has meet four times and concluded early on that the current policies were too long and too detailed. An effort will be made to separate policy from procedures, and the Board will approve each series as it is completed.
Projected Table of Organization 2011-12
Dr. Vincent reviewed a draft table of organization that outlined the planning council configurations and the make-up of each council. Partnership director titles will shift to regional directors on July 1, 2011 as their job descriptions have been updated and become more complex. Their roles will be critical and challenging, similar to that of a school building principal. When the councils and regions meet, staff will have the opportunity to opt into the regional planning council meetings and make connections. It will take time to make the model work well, but at the heart is an intentional purpose to work in a democratic organization that brings out the best in everyone. Board members asked questions regarding assignments of the regional and instructional service directors, equity across regions and staffing numbers and wrapped up their conversation by expressing hope in the model.
Board Policy Manual – Series 100
Board members reviewed a draft of Series 100 from the Board Policy Manual. As the series are completed, they will be brought to the Board for at least two readings before approval.
Closed Session
The Board of Directors entered into closed session at 6:27 p.m. to discuss negotiations and returned to public session at 7:00 p.m.
Chief Administrator Comments
• Dr. Vincent acknowledged that May is Board Recognition Month. This year, time has been spent focusing and redirecting the work of the Agency, and the Board has led by example in getting the work done. On behalf of staff, she thanked board members for leading by example.
• Board members were given a copy of a letter that was sent May 9 to parent advocates asking for their assistance in discouraging legislators to cut funding to the AEAs.
• Board members were sent an email invitation to participate in a field visit with a Heartland staff member who provides speech-language services. It was a gracious invitation, and Board members asked Dr. Vincent to add it as a future work session item.
• On June 7 & 8, a joint AEA and DE conference will be held. The conference will focus on how the two organizations can work together.
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