Message From the Interim Chief Administrator

I want to update you on our process for addressing the recent state budget cuts. Cabinet met on Monday, October 19, and Dave King (Director of Finance & Business Services) gave us more information about how the cuts will impact our budget. The total reduction for Heartland is $2,894,038, which is actually a 10.258% reduction, based on a per pupil amount. The reduction applies to the state portion of the following areas in our budget:
• State Aid for Special Education
• Teacher Quality and Phase II
• Teacher Quality Professional Development
• Professional Development Iowa Core

Des Moines Public Schools will also share in the reduction in State Aid for Special Education in the amount of $691,936. The result for Heartland is a $2,202,102 cut in the budget for 2009-10.

After considerable discussion in Cabinet, we have an initial timeline for decision-making about the 2009-10 budget, as well as a starting point for how we build the 2010-11 budget. Please note that these discussions are likely to go on beyond this timeline, but we wanted you to know our plans for getting this important work moving forward.

Next Steps
1. Cabinet members will individually begin the process and will:
• Review budget information from Dave King
• Review department budgets to identify areas for potential cost savings
• Review staff generated non-personnel cost-saving ideas from last spring
• Clarify what has been spent out of ARRA monies
• Review current ARRA priorities

2. On Monday, October 26, District Services Council (DSC) members will:
• Review current ARRA priorities and begin a process for reprioritizing how funds will be spent
• Begin to formulate recommendations about non-personnel and departmental budget cost-saving measures
• Discuss options for impacting current and future budgets, such as the Special Education deficit

3. On Wednesday, October 28, Heartland leaders will meet to:
• Hear latest information from Cabinet
• Provide input and feedback

4. On Monday, November 2, Operations Support Council (OSC) members will:
• Review current ARRA priorities and begin a process for reprioritizing how funds will be spent
• Begin to formulate recommendations about non-personnel and departmental budget cost-saving measures

5. On Monday, November 2, Cabinet members will:
• Review input from the Leaders group
• Discuss outcomes from work done in DSC/OSC
• Begin shaping recommendations

6. On Monday, November 9, Cabinet members will have an extended work session to:
• Confirm agency priorities
• Make decisions based on previous work/recommendations

7. On Tuesday, November 10, our Board of Directors will receive an update on our planning process, as well as any recommendations Cabinet might have at that point.

We are working hard to take some time to thoughtfully address these budget issues without dragging our feet to make decisions. There are many things our agency will have to formalize over the next few weeks. Until then, there are some things the Agency will be implementing immediately:
• Hiring managers will confirm all hiring decisions with Laura Gillon (Chief of Staff), Steve Prall (Chief of Operations) and Nola Bond (Director of Human Resources). We have not imposed a freeze on all hiring, but it is likely hiring will be very limited and have a focus on hard-to-fill positions. For now, decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
• Supervisors will be taking appropriate measures to significantly reduce overtime and only consider approval of mission-critical work.
• The Agency is not approving any additional out-of-area travel at this time; however, some out-of-area travel that has already been approved will be allowed. We will have a new process for determining when travel is needed to support mission-critical work in the Agency.
• All budget managers are reviewing discretionary spending on materials and equipment very carefully, limiting approvals to things that are essential for our work.

As decisions are made, you will be kept in the loop on what is happening and how you will be impacted and/or expected to implement any necessary changes. I know this is a topic that can cause concern on many levels, so I want to encourage you to stay in touch with me if you have ideas or questions about where we are or where we are going. I remain confident that we will be successful by continuing to work together to address this tough budget situation, and I appreciate your input and your support as we engage in this process.

For Your Convenience…Parking at Johnston Regional Education Center

As educational opportunities have increased at the Johnston Regional Education Center (6500 building), you may have noticed parking is becoming scarcer. We would like to remind you that there are short-term parking spaces located directly in front of the main entrance. These spaces are there for your convenience so please feel free to use them if you are making a quick visit or need to drop off or pick up items. If you have any questions regarding parking at the Johnston REC, contact Dustin Gean at dgean@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Poverty Simulation to be Held November 13

Heartland will be offering a poverty simulation session on November 13 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at New Hope Assembly of God Church. During the simulation, participants role-play the lives of low-income families, from single parents trying to care for their children to senior citizens trying to maintain their self-sufficiency on Social Security. The task of each family is to provide food, shelter and other basic necessities during the simulation while interacting with various community resources. Although participants use “play” money and other props, fictional scenarios and time limits, the simulation is not a game. It is a tool that enables participants to view poverty from different angles in an experiential setting.

In order to ensure we can hold the simulation, we need to have 40 participants registered, otherwise it will be canceled. If you are interested, please register today! The Activity Number is HU016199991001.

Results of United Way “Not-So-Silent” Auction

The results of the “Not-So-Silent” Auction are in! The auction had a total of 16 items donated, and $671 was raised in support of the United Way. Those who won items should have been contacted with information on how to pay for and arrange delivery of your items. Please turn in your auction payments and pledge cards as soon as you can. Thank you to everyone who participated in the auction and supported the United Way!

Results:
Netgear wireless router and on-site set-up, donated by Mike Permann of PERMANNent Computer Consulting -- won by Tamara Dickey-Naylor

Book Lover’s bag, doanted by Ames office staff members -- won by Mariann Culver

Going Green kit, donated by Ames office staff members -- won by Jane Mozena-Fetty

Just For Fun kit, donated by Ames office staff members -- won by Chrissy Bradley

One hour, three person plane ride, donated by Dick Geil -- won by Jane Quanbeck

Child’s platform bed, donated by Maureen Whited -- won by Kim Anderson

BeautiControl Pamper Me basket, donated by Brenda Fisher -- won by Jane Quanbeck

Iowa/Iowa State “A Basket Divided,” donated by Woodside secretaries -- won by Anne Winter

90-minute plane ride for one, donated by Steve Johns -- won by Courtney Croatt

Shop ‘til You Drop gift card bag, donated by Partnership Directors -- won by Judy Walahoski

Bike trailer with stroller, donated by Chris Pierson -- won by Brenda Pierce

Harvest Dinner for six, donated by Mari Stirler -- won by Vaughn Murphy

Child’s school desk, donated by Emily Donovan -- won by Sheila King

Halloween party baskets, donated by Chris Jeffryes, Claire Spellman, Courtney Croatt -- won by Sheila King

Fall photo frame treasure box, donated by Arletta Dawson, Julie Sypersma -- won by Michelle Richardson

Two Michigan blueberry glaze pies, donated by Mary Montgomery, Sarah Brown -- won by Chris Jeffryes

Technology Update

Web Training Classes Offered in November
If you have been asked by your supervisor to take responsibility for content on Heartland’s Web Site or if you would just like to learn more about how to create or manage Web content, please sign up for one of the training sessions being offered in November. Josh Burke, Web Manager, will be providing basic-level Content Management System (CMS) training covering the following topics:

- How to navigate the CMS
- How to create, upload and publish content
- How to link pages, documents and images
- How to publish content to the Web
- How to work within workflows

Heartland will be unveiling a brand new Web Site in January, and we hope to have all of our programs and services represented on the new site. Content will be arranged under tabs identified by audience – Parents, Educators, Leaders and Partners. Since 2010 is our accreditation year, it is especially important that we effectively demonstrate what all of our programs and services are and how to access them.

If you are interested, please sign up for one of the training sessions listed below:
Wednesday, November 4, Activity Number IN0170-9211-11-01
Thursday, November 12, Activity Number IN0170-9211-10-01
Thursday, November 19, Activity Number IN0170-9211-10-02
Tuesday, November 24, Activity Number IN0170-9211-10-03