Message From the Interim Chief Administrator

It’s now been three months since I was named interim chief administrator, and I am very pleased with our Agency’s progress during this time of leadership transition. Much has been accomplished, but as you all know, there is no shortage of work ahead. Given the seemingly never-ending list of needs, I’m sure you were concerned by the governor’s announcement last Thursday to reduce the state’s current fiscal year budget by 10 percent. This is hard news to hear, but it’s not unexpected given the economic struggles we are facing in our state and our nation.

So, what will this budget cut mean for Heartland?

First of all, I want you to know we are not planning to make personnel cuts during this budget year. While the cut to Heartland will be significant -- over $2 million –- I will be working with our leaders to carefully review all aspects of our budget to identify potential reductions. We will also review our current plans for using our ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) dollars—making adjustments as needed to maintain staffing levels, programs and services.

I am confident that all of us will work together to address this situation. Since we work for an agency with core values like collaborative, cutting-edge and pro-active, I expect nothing less. Your ideas about how we make adjustments during this difficult budgetary time will be helpful to our process. Please share your ideas with your supervisor, staff advisory council members, cabinet members or me.

Last week Brent Siegrist, Executive Director of the AEAs, co-signed an e-mail from the statewide education groups the Iowa State Education Association, Iowa Association of School Boards, School Administrators of Iowa, Urban Education Network, Iowa Association of School Business Officials and the AEAs, which was sent to all school administrators. That e-mail concluded with the following words:

“It is imperative that all educators work together in these challenging times to find solutions that will maintain the quality of all of Iowa’s excellent public schools. Education leaders should evaluate all of their options carefully and take a measured, long-term approach to solutions… Iowa’s future depends on vibrant public schools, world-class teachers and high-quality instruction. We must all work together to keep education a top priority and to emerge from this economic downturn stronger than before.”

We will tighten our belts to deal with these cuts, and you will be updated regularly in the Connection as decisions are made. Your confidence and support are greatly appreciated. Thank you for all you do to serve children, families and schools, and be reassured that we will get through this together.