As your Heartland Learning Teams meet, please do not forget to log Learning Team time using SSLog. Each team member should log his or her time.
To log the time, select Internal. Do not select a district or Agency-Wide. Make sure to log the actual time spent and the date of the Learning Team meeting. This information will be gathered and summarized. Any learning team entries that are not logged as Internal will be missing from the results.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Current Post-Employment Benefit Extended for One Year
On February 9, 2010, the Heartland Board of Directors voted to extend the post-employment benefit currently scheduled to expire on June 30, 2010, for another year. Because of the late extension, those who elected the benefit in December 2009 will be given the option to rescind their election if they choose to do so.
A post-employment committee has been re-established and commissioned to research changes to the benefit going forward. The committee includes previous members as well as new members. The committee met in January and its recommendation was to ask the Board for an extension of the current policy to give time to consider options for the benefit effective July 1, 2011.
The current post-employment benefit that will now be in effect until July 1, 2011, states that eligibility shall be limited to employees who have completed a minimum of 15 consecutive years of full-time employment with the Agency and who have reached the age of 58 or older before June 30 of their final fiscal year of employment.
Eligibility shall also be extended to employees who have completed 20 years of regular half- or full-time employment with the Agency, who have been employed on a full-time basis for at least the last five consecutive years and who are the age of 58 or older before June 30 of their final fiscal year of employment. An approved extended leave of absence is not considered a break in employment for either group.
Board Policy 403.4 states that the Agency agrees to pay a portion of the retiree’s medical insurance coverage which was in effect during the employee’s last year of employment until the age of 65 or until the employee become eligible for other insurance coverage, including Medicare, whichever occurs first.
Questions regarding the post-employment benefit or staff members’ eligibility may be addressed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385.
You may also contact one of the committee members to discuss your thoughts about the committee’s recommendations to the board in July 2011. Committee members are: Melissa Bell, Nola Bond, Frances Budreck Davis, Judy Cleveland, Steve Iverson, Geri Jacobs, Dave King, Kathy Martin, Sue Meyer, Mike Permann, Mari Stirler, Dave Tilly and Judy Walahoski.
A post-employment committee has been re-established and commissioned to research changes to the benefit going forward. The committee includes previous members as well as new members. The committee met in January and its recommendation was to ask the Board for an extension of the current policy to give time to consider options for the benefit effective July 1, 2011.
The current post-employment benefit that will now be in effect until July 1, 2011, states that eligibility shall be limited to employees who have completed a minimum of 15 consecutive years of full-time employment with the Agency and who have reached the age of 58 or older before June 30 of their final fiscal year of employment.
Eligibility shall also be extended to employees who have completed 20 years of regular half- or full-time employment with the Agency, who have been employed on a full-time basis for at least the last five consecutive years and who are the age of 58 or older before June 30 of their final fiscal year of employment. An approved extended leave of absence is not considered a break in employment for either group.
Board Policy 403.4 states that the Agency agrees to pay a portion of the retiree’s medical insurance coverage which was in effect during the employee’s last year of employment until the age of 65 or until the employee become eligible for other insurance coverage, including Medicare, whichever occurs first.
Questions regarding the post-employment benefit or staff members’ eligibility may be addressed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385.
You may also contact one of the committee members to discuss your thoughts about the committee’s recommendations to the board in July 2011. Committee members are: Melissa Bell, Nola Bond, Frances Budreck Davis, Judy Cleveland, Steve Iverson, Geri Jacobs, Dave King, Kathy Martin, Sue Meyer, Mike Permann, Mari Stirler, Dave Tilly and Judy Walahoski.
Changes Made to Statewide Special Ed Procedures Manual
The AEA Directors of Special Education approved changes to the statewide SPED Procedures Manual at their January 2010 meeting. The changes were made to provide additional clarification and address issues of concern that had been raised since the beginning of this school year. Click here to see the Release Notes that highlight the changes that were made in this revision to the Procedures Manual. There are no changes to the Documentation Guide at this time.
An updated version of the Special Education Procedures and Special Education Documentation Guide has been posted at www.iowaidea.org. To access these documents in addition to the Release Notes for this version of the Procedures:
1. Go to www.iowaidea.org.
2. Click on the IEP link.
3. Move your cursor on top of the words “Statewide Special Education Procedures” (menu on the left hand side of the screen) and click on “Manual.”
4. Click on the link of the document you wish to view.
If you have any difficulty accessing these documents, please contact Michelle Tressel at mtressel@aea10.k12.ia.us.
If you have not already signed up to receive News Updates from the Iowa IDEA website, please take a moment to do so. You can access the link from their home page, directly under the “Front Page” link.
An updated version of the Special Education Procedures and Special Education Documentation Guide has been posted at www.iowaidea.org. To access these documents in addition to the Release Notes for this version of the Procedures:
1. Go to www.iowaidea.org.
2. Click on the IEP link.
3. Move your cursor on top of the words “Statewide Special Education Procedures” (menu on the left hand side of the screen) and click on “Manual.”
4. Click on the link of the document you wish to view.
If you have any difficulty accessing these documents, please contact Michelle Tressel at mtressel@aea10.k12.ia.us.
If you have not already signed up to receive News Updates from the Iowa IDEA website, please take a moment to do so. You can access the link from their home page, directly under the “Front Page” link.
February 2010 Heartland AEA Board of Directors Meeting Recap
The February 2010 Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting was held on February 9 but was held electronically due to inclement weather.
Approval of Agenda
The action item related to the Des Moines Area Community College 28E agreement was tabled until the March meeting.
Public Forum
No one was present to speak at the public forum.
Discussion Items
Post-Employment Policy 403.4
Ms. Nola Bond reviewed the history and current state of the Agency’s post-employment policy. The post-employment policy was originally established to show consideration for years of service, to have a benefit that attracts and retains employees and to help the Agency during economic downturns. The changes to the policy over the years were a result of recommendations made from the post-employment committee, which is made up of a cross section of the Agency workforce. Last year the Board approved changes to the policy that go into effect July 1, 2010. These changes were not based on the recommendations of the committee. In lean economic times, a common approach to encourage attrition has been to lower the eligibility age at which employees are eligible for the post-employment benefit. In July, the new policy will actually increase the age requirement from 58 to 60. In addition, the insurance benefits will decrease, especially for spousal coverage. This makes the plan less attractive and lowers the number of eligible employees.
The post-employment committee would like to recommend that the July 1, 2010 changes to the policy not be implemented, that the current policy be extended by one year, to allow reconsideration by those staff members who chose the benefit effective July 1, 2010, and that the post-employment committee examine long-term changes to the plan with an implementation of July 1, 2011.
28E DMACC Intercampus Mail Agreement
Mr. Steve Prall provided information on a request made by Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) to utilize the Agency’s delivery system in providing interoffice letters, books and parcel delivery services. Based on this request, research was done that showed it would be viable and financially beneficial to the Agency. A draft agreement was submitted to DMACC that was very specific and met all Department of Transportation, United States Post Office and other statutory and federal guidelines. This agreement is still in review and will be brought back to the Board at the March meeting for approval. This is a good opportunity for Heartland and DMACC to work together to continue to build a partnership.
Action Items
2009 Amended Budget
A MOTION was made by Ms. Margaret Borgen and seconded by Dr. Steve Rose to approve the 2009-10 amended budget. Motion passed unanimously.
2010-11 Budget
Board member Mr. Cal Halliburton noted that he was uncomfortable spending down the Agency’s reserve. A MOTION was made by Dr. Steve Rose and seconded by Ms. Marcy Sparks to approve the 2010-11 budget. Motion passed unanimously.
Post-Employment Benefit
A MOTION was made by Mr. Cal Halliburton and seconded by Ms. Margaret Borgen to approve the recommendations made by the post-employment committee: 1) The July 1, 2010 changes to the post-employment policy will not be implemented, 2) the current policy will continue for one additional year, 3) reconsideration will be given to those employees who chose the benefit effective July 1, 2010 and 4) the post-employment committee will examine long-term changes to the plan with implementation effective July 1, 2011. Motion passed unanimously.
IKM-Manning Petition
A MOTION was made by Mr. Cal Halliburton and seconded by Dr. Steve Rose that the Board finds the petition is in compliance with the Agency’s Reorganization Plan that outlines the process and expectations concerning school reorganizations. Motion passed unanimously. The actual petition will be approved at the February 15 joint board meeting.
Board Comments
• Board members were sent a draft of new chief administrator Dr. Paula Vincent’s contract. If any board member has questions or concerns, they are to contact Ms. Ann Wilson. Ms. Wilson also commented that she had met with Dr. Vincent on February 6, and she is very excited about coming to Heartland. She will be spending the next two months focusing on her current position as her district looks for a replacement, and then she plans to spend time learning about the Agency. She will visit Ms. Sheila King at the Agency on March 17.
Approval of Agenda
The action item related to the Des Moines Area Community College 28E agreement was tabled until the March meeting.
Public Forum
No one was present to speak at the public forum.
Discussion Items
Post-Employment Policy 403.4
Ms. Nola Bond reviewed the history and current state of the Agency’s post-employment policy. The post-employment policy was originally established to show consideration for years of service, to have a benefit that attracts and retains employees and to help the Agency during economic downturns. The changes to the policy over the years were a result of recommendations made from the post-employment committee, which is made up of a cross section of the Agency workforce. Last year the Board approved changes to the policy that go into effect July 1, 2010. These changes were not based on the recommendations of the committee. In lean economic times, a common approach to encourage attrition has been to lower the eligibility age at which employees are eligible for the post-employment benefit. In July, the new policy will actually increase the age requirement from 58 to 60. In addition, the insurance benefits will decrease, especially for spousal coverage. This makes the plan less attractive and lowers the number of eligible employees.
The post-employment committee would like to recommend that the July 1, 2010 changes to the policy not be implemented, that the current policy be extended by one year, to allow reconsideration by those staff members who chose the benefit effective July 1, 2010, and that the post-employment committee examine long-term changes to the plan with an implementation of July 1, 2011.
28E DMACC Intercampus Mail Agreement
Mr. Steve Prall provided information on a request made by Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) to utilize the Agency’s delivery system in providing interoffice letters, books and parcel delivery services. Based on this request, research was done that showed it would be viable and financially beneficial to the Agency. A draft agreement was submitted to DMACC that was very specific and met all Department of Transportation, United States Post Office and other statutory and federal guidelines. This agreement is still in review and will be brought back to the Board at the March meeting for approval. This is a good opportunity for Heartland and DMACC to work together to continue to build a partnership.
Action Items
2009 Amended Budget
A MOTION was made by Ms. Margaret Borgen and seconded by Dr. Steve Rose to approve the 2009-10 amended budget. Motion passed unanimously.
2010-11 Budget
Board member Mr. Cal Halliburton noted that he was uncomfortable spending down the Agency’s reserve. A MOTION was made by Dr. Steve Rose and seconded by Ms. Marcy Sparks to approve the 2010-11 budget. Motion passed unanimously.
Post-Employment Benefit
A MOTION was made by Mr. Cal Halliburton and seconded by Ms. Margaret Borgen to approve the recommendations made by the post-employment committee: 1) The July 1, 2010 changes to the post-employment policy will not be implemented, 2) the current policy will continue for one additional year, 3) reconsideration will be given to those employees who chose the benefit effective July 1, 2010 and 4) the post-employment committee will examine long-term changes to the plan with implementation effective July 1, 2011. Motion passed unanimously.
IKM-Manning Petition
A MOTION was made by Mr. Cal Halliburton and seconded by Dr. Steve Rose that the Board finds the petition is in compliance with the Agency’s Reorganization Plan that outlines the process and expectations concerning school reorganizations. Motion passed unanimously. The actual petition will be approved at the February 15 joint board meeting.
Board Comments
• Board members were sent a draft of new chief administrator Dr. Paula Vincent’s contract. If any board member has questions or concerns, they are to contact Ms. Ann Wilson. Ms. Wilson also commented that she had met with Dr. Vincent on February 6, and she is very excited about coming to Heartland. She will be spending the next two months focusing on her current position as her district looks for a replacement, and then she plans to spend time learning about the Agency. She will visit Ms. Sheila King at the Agency on March 17.
Employee Assistance Program Services Available to Heartland Staff
Are you experiencing difficulties in your marriage, stress with a rebellious teenager or have an aging parent who needs more care than you’re able to give?
Heartland offers EAP (employee assistant program) services through Bensinger, Dupont and Associates (BDA). Under EAP you can receive no-cost, confidential help for a wide variety of needs and concerns, such as:
• Depression
• Stress management
• Anxiety
• Marital difficulties
• Relationship problems
• Family conflict
• Alcohol or drug addictions
• Financial concerns – telephone consultation with financial consultant on budgeting, taxes and debt consolidation
• Parenting concerns
• Problem gambling
• Eating disorders
• Legal concerns – telephone and/or one in-person consultation with an attorney on tax filing, guardianship and power-of-attorney services
• Childcare and eldercare – telephone consultation with a work-life professional to provide information, referrals and resources related to childcare or eldercare concerns
BDA offers up to three in-person assessment and counseling sessions by masters-degreed counselors 24-hours a day, seven days a week through a toll-free number. Your information will be completely confidential. If this service would be of assistance, contact Bensinger, DuPont and Associates at (866) 451-5465.
Online services are available at niseap.com. Your password is NISenhanced.
Questions about EAP services may be addressed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385.
Heartland offers EAP (employee assistant program) services through Bensinger, Dupont and Associates (BDA). Under EAP you can receive no-cost, confidential help for a wide variety of needs and concerns, such as:
• Depression
• Stress management
• Anxiety
• Marital difficulties
• Relationship problems
• Family conflict
• Alcohol or drug addictions
• Financial concerns – telephone consultation with financial consultant on budgeting, taxes and debt consolidation
• Parenting concerns
• Problem gambling
• Eating disorders
• Legal concerns – telephone and/or one in-person consultation with an attorney on tax filing, guardianship and power-of-attorney services
• Childcare and eldercare – telephone consultation with a work-life professional to provide information, referrals and resources related to childcare or eldercare concerns
BDA offers up to three in-person assessment and counseling sessions by masters-degreed counselors 24-hours a day, seven days a week through a toll-free number. Your information will be completely confidential. If this service would be of assistance, contact Bensinger, DuPont and Associates at (866) 451-5465.
Online services are available at niseap.com. Your password is NISenhanced.
Questions about EAP services may be addressed to Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385.
AEA Legislative Report
Click here to download the weekly legislative report from AEA Government Relations Specialist Wayne Haddy. This week’s update includes more revised language from the Government Reorganization bill relating to AEAs.
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