Dr. Jerry Gruba to Return to Heartland
Last February, the looming economic situation led to a reduction-in-force within Heartland AEA 11. Soon following the Agency’s decision was the announcement of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Both of these actions led the District Services Council (DSC) to review and identify critical gaps in our ability to complete work within the area of teaching and learning.
One area of the Agency that was negatively affected by the Agency reductions was Early Childhood/Early ACCESS. The large scope of functions needed in this area indicated a critical need for a management position to provide budget oversight, decision-making, early childhood expertise and supervision to certified staff.
The recommendation to restore the Assistant Director for Early Childhood/Early ACCESS position was supported by the leadership of our Board of Directors. The position was offered and accepted by Dr. Jerry Gruba. Heartland AEA 11 is fortunate to once again have the experience and knowledge that Dr. Gruba can provide for the Early Childhood/Early ACCESS program.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Modifications Made to the ExpenseOnline System
Beginning today (July 13), a few modifications have been made to the ExpenseOnline system. These modifications include the following:
• You no longer need to enter a report date when creating your claim. The management of this date will be handled behind the scenes.
• The “Comments” field on the claim is now named “Assigned Office.” You are expected to enter your assigned office in this field.
• The order of the data entry fields on the detail screen has been rearranged. The order is now: Date, Description, Quantity, Amount, Account Code and Account Type.
• The Submitted Expense Reports page will now list claims up to 18 months old.
• A legend has been added to the Submitted Expense Reports page that lists the different statuses a claim can have.
They are the following:
- EN – Open
- AP – Submitted for Approval (Waiting approval by approver)
- RV – In Review (Approved by approver, waiting approval by Business Office)
- RC – Review Complete (Approved by Business Office)
- DS – Distributed/Paid
- OH – On Hold – (Business office waiting for additional information)
The help documentation available on the “Help” tab of your IFAS Dashboard includes these modifications and detailed instructions for use of the system. The intention of these modifications is to improve the functionality of the ExpenseOnline system and make it easier to use. If you have any questions, problems or concerns, please contact Rod Howell at rhowell@aea11.k12.ia.us or at ext. 14599.
• You no longer need to enter a report date when creating your claim. The management of this date will be handled behind the scenes.
• The “Comments” field on the claim is now named “Assigned Office.” You are expected to enter your assigned office in this field.
• The order of the data entry fields on the detail screen has been rearranged. The order is now: Date, Description, Quantity, Amount, Account Code and Account Type.
• The Submitted Expense Reports page will now list claims up to 18 months old.
• A legend has been added to the Submitted Expense Reports page that lists the different statuses a claim can have.
They are the following:
- EN – Open
- AP – Submitted for Approval (Waiting approval by approver)
- RV – In Review (Approved by approver, waiting approval by Business Office)
- RC – Review Complete (Approved by Business Office)
- DS – Distributed/Paid
- OH – On Hold – (Business office waiting for additional information)
The help documentation available on the “Help” tab of your IFAS Dashboard includes these modifications and detailed instructions for use of the system. The intention of these modifications is to improve the functionality of the ExpenseOnline system and make it easier to use. If you have any questions, problems or concerns, please contact Rod Howell at rhowell@aea11.k12.ia.us or at ext. 14599.
Updates from the Payroll Office: IPERS, TQ Compensation & TQ Mentor Pay
IPERS (Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System)
Effective July 1, 2009, the IPERS contribution rates for employees and employers will increase as mandated by law. For employees, the rate increases from 4.1% to 4.3%, and for employers, the rate increases from 6.35% to 6.65%. This change will be reflected starting with your July 15th paycheck. The rate change will increase employee contributions by $2 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages, and the employer’s contribution will increase by $3 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages. Please contact Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Jami Johnson at ext. 14311 if you have any questions.
Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund Monies
Certified staff members receive Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies as part of their paychecks from October to June. As a reminder, the final 2008-09 fiscal year payment of Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies occurred with the June 30th paychecks. Per the comprehensive agreement, payment of these monies for the 2009-10 fiscal year will begin with your October 15th paychecks. Please note, the Teacher Quality Compensation Fund is not to be confused with the Teacher Quality Professional Development program that certified staff members are participating in and receive payment for over the summer months. More information about Teacher Quality Mentor pay will follow in the paragraph below. Please contact Steve Jordan or Jami Johnson if you have questions.
Teacher Quality Mentor Pay
Questions have arisen regarding pay for mentors for first and second year certified staff members. The breakdown for mentor pay is as follows: The AEA received $1,000 dollars per eligible staff member (to pay mentors). Out of the $1,000 allotted to the AEA, $877 was used for salary, $56 (6.35%) was for the employer’s portion of IPERS and $67 was used for the employer’s portion of FICA and Medicare (7.65%). The employer’s share of IPERS, FICA and Medicare are allowable expense for Teacher Quality funding. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Sarah Brown, Program Assistant for Internal Professional Development at sbrown@aea11.k12.ia.us or at ext. 14380.
Effective July 1, 2009, the IPERS contribution rates for employees and employers will increase as mandated by law. For employees, the rate increases from 4.1% to 4.3%, and for employers, the rate increases from 6.35% to 6.65%. This change will be reflected starting with your July 15th paycheck. The rate change will increase employee contributions by $2 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages, and the employer’s contribution will increase by $3 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages. Please contact Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Jami Johnson at ext. 14311 if you have any questions.
Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund Monies
Certified staff members receive Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies as part of their paychecks from October to June. As a reminder, the final 2008-09 fiscal year payment of Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies occurred with the June 30th paychecks. Per the comprehensive agreement, payment of these monies for the 2009-10 fiscal year will begin with your October 15th paychecks. Please note, the Teacher Quality Compensation Fund is not to be confused with the Teacher Quality Professional Development program that certified staff members are participating in and receive payment for over the summer months. More information about Teacher Quality Mentor pay will follow in the paragraph below. Please contact Steve Jordan or Jami Johnson if you have questions.
Teacher Quality Mentor Pay
Questions have arisen regarding pay for mentors for first and second year certified staff members. The breakdown for mentor pay is as follows: The AEA received $1,000 dollars per eligible staff member (to pay mentors). Out of the $1,000 allotted to the AEA, $877 was used for salary, $56 (6.35%) was for the employer’s portion of IPERS and $67 was used for the employer’s portion of FICA and Medicare (7.65%). The employer’s share of IPERS, FICA and Medicare are allowable expense for Teacher Quality funding. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Sarah Brown, Program Assistant for Internal Professional Development at sbrown@aea11.k12.ia.us or at ext. 14380.
IRS Rule for Flex Debit Card Users
An IRS mandate that became effective July 1, 2009, may impact some Flex Debit Card users. The rule applies to all drug stores and pharmacies.
In order to accept Flex Debit Cards after June 30, 2009, the new rule requires these retailers to install the Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) or show proof that 90% of the store’s gross receipts during the prior year consisted of prescriptions or qualified over-the-counter health care products.
Many merchants, including large retail chains like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target, CVS and K-Mart, have already installed the Inventory Information Approval System. This system codes all flex plan eligible expenses allowing automatic substantiation of debit card purchases. Those merchants are not affected by the July 1 deadline. Neither are doctors, dentists or eyewear providers that will still be able to accept the debit card, but where participants may still need to substantiate expenses.
What the rule means is that some drug stores and pharmacies that have been able to accept Flex Debit Cards until June 30 will not be allowed to accept them after that date. Participants shopping at those locations should double check with the retailer to be certain the Flex Debit Card will be accepted after July 1.
If you have questions about your particular situation, please contact Kabel Business Services at (515) 224-9400 or (800) 300-9691.
In order to accept Flex Debit Cards after June 30, 2009, the new rule requires these retailers to install the Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) or show proof that 90% of the store’s gross receipts during the prior year consisted of prescriptions or qualified over-the-counter health care products.
Many merchants, including large retail chains like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target, CVS and K-Mart, have already installed the Inventory Information Approval System. This system codes all flex plan eligible expenses allowing automatic substantiation of debit card purchases. Those merchants are not affected by the July 1 deadline. Neither are doctors, dentists or eyewear providers that will still be able to accept the debit card, but where participants may still need to substantiate expenses.
What the rule means is that some drug stores and pharmacies that have been able to accept Flex Debit Cards until June 30 will not be allowed to accept them after that date. Participants shopping at those locations should double check with the retailer to be certain the Flex Debit Card will be accepted after July 1.
If you have questions about your particular situation, please contact Kabel Business Services at (515) 224-9400 or (800) 300-9691.
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