At the April 2009 Heartland Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved an Assistant Director position be added to the Human Resources Department. Considering that we are in a business that relies heavily on our employees to fulfill our mission, the Agency feels that it is important for all staff to understand the advantages that the addition of this position will bring to Heartland.
Human Resources functions in many businesses in the past, including education, have been largely focused on transactional issues such as hiring paperwork, contract management and labor and safety law compliance. However, especially in the private sector, the Human Resources field has become a well-developed discipline with professional organizations, academic and field research and best practice guidelines. Businesses have learned that a well-developed Human Resources function can transform an organization to improve the outcomes of the business.
Through Heartland’s reorganization, the Agency is developmentally experiencing the shift from a transactional Human Resources function to a transformational Human Resources function. In order to fulfill the expanding vision of a transformational Human Resources function that strategically supports the Agency to reach its mission and goals, more must be done. We must more fully develop our policies and decision-making processes, and while at the same time, work to improve the core functions of the department such as data and contract management. The addition of the Assistant Director of Human Resources position will improve the Human Resources functions within the Agency and will help staff to experience better decision making and support from their supervisors, improved flow of information and improved use of staff which will result in better services to our students, districts and families.
Since the April board meeting, the Agency has been involved in a search for an Assistant Director of Human Resources who has experience in improving Human Resources policies and information systems and has a strong knowledge base about Human Resources best practices, project management and strategic practice among other qualifications. One hundred twenty-five candidates were screened for the position and a multi-faceted interviewing process was used to narrow the field. A candidate was selected who exceeded all of the position’s criteria, was highly recommended from a broad variety of references, and most importantly, has a warm and caring personality, strong communication skills and integrity. Chris Pierson and Executive Council were so impressed with what this candidate could bring to the Agency that a unique decision was made.
The candidate, Nola Bond, was offered the position of Director of Human Resources, and Chris Pierson accepted the position of Assistant Director of Human Resources. Chris is very excited about the opportunities this change creates for the Agency, for his professional growth as a Human Resources professional and personally to address his own work/life balance needs. Both Nola and Chris are excited to use their complementary knowledge base and experiences to support staff and Heartland’s mission.
A recommendation for this action will go to the Board during its August 11, 2009 meeting. Pending board approval, Nola Bond will become the Director of Human Resources on August 24, and Chris Pierson will become the Assistant Director of Human Resources on that same day. An introduction article of Nola will be published in The Connection soon after the Board meeting.
If you have any questions about this transition in the Human Resources Department, please contact Chris Pierson at cpierson@aea11.k1.2ia.us or at ext. 14318.
Monday, August 10, 2009
August Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Click here to download the agenda for the August 11 Heartland Board of Directors meeting.
2009-2010 Preliminary Van Routes
Click here to download the listing of 2009-2010 van routes. Some of the routes will still be modified, but this is a preliminary list for those who need to send items on the vans.
2009-2010 School Composite Calendar
Click here to download the 2009-2010 Heartland area schools’ composite calendar. The calendar lists our districts’ start dates, teacher workdays/in-services, parent/teacher conferences, early dismissals, holidays/no school days, breaks, semester ending dates and year-end dates.
Great Teaching Blogs Being Compiled
Scott McLeod, professor at Iowa State University, has a wiki that he is compiling for great education blogs. Take a minute to check it out and add to it if you have a particular blog that fits in one of the categories he's listed, or add another category if appropriate. http://movingforward.wikispaces.com/Education+Blogs+by+Discipline
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)