Working days calendars were due before staff members left for the summer or June 10, 2010, whichever came first. If you have not submitted your calendar, please do so as soon as possible.
If you have a reason why you have not submitted your calendar, please discuss this with your supervisor. All questions about the calendar system should be sent to Chrissy Bradley, Human Resources Specialist, at cbradley@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14432.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Changes to Region 2 Partnership Director Coverage
As most of you should know, Region 2 partnership director Dave Stickrod has chosen to take a position in Nebraska closer to his home and family. After carefully evaluating this vacancy, we have made the decision not to fill the position, and we have a plan to cover the Region 2 partnership director's work for the 2010-2011 school year. Many factors were considered in this decision including budget, delivery of agency programs and services, enrollment trends and district reorganization.
For the 2010-2011 year, Region 2 will remain intact as a region and the Guthrie Center office will remain open as a branch office. District support and staff supervision responsibilities will be assigned to two current partnership directors. Region 1 partnership director JoAnn Klocke, who works out of the Carroll office, will be assigned the four western districts in Region 2: Adair-Casey, Exira, Guthrie Center and Panorama. Region 4 partnership director Misty Christensen, who works out of the Adel office, will add West Central Valley to her group of schools.
Thanks for your patience as we worked through this decision-making process and now as we implement it. Please contact Sheila King at sking@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14314 if you have any questions.
For the 2010-2011 year, Region 2 will remain intact as a region and the Guthrie Center office will remain open as a branch office. District support and staff supervision responsibilities will be assigned to two current partnership directors. Region 1 partnership director JoAnn Klocke, who works out of the Carroll office, will be assigned the four western districts in Region 2: Adair-Casey, Exira, Guthrie Center and Panorama. Region 4 partnership director Misty Christensen, who works out of the Adel office, will add West Central Valley to her group of schools.
Thanks for your patience as we worked through this decision-making process and now as we implement it. Please contact Sheila King at sking@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14314 if you have any questions.
June 2010 Board of Directors Meeting Recap
Public Forum
No one was present to speak at the public forum.
Discussion Items Des Moines Leadership Update
During the last few weeks, Ms. Sheila King has met twice with Des Moines Public Schools’ superintendent Nancy Sebring. Both meetings were held to discuss the partnership between Heartland and the district. Des Moines shared its five-year professional development plan and spoke of a need for guidance with response to intervention (RTI). The conversations were rich and the Agency will continue its commitment to providing support and assistance.
Ms. King spoke briefly about Dr. Jim Verlengia, Interim Director of District Services, who will begin transitioning to a role that is focused on leadership support for 2010-11. He will work closely with Ms. Sharon Kurns, Director of Professional Learning and Leadership.
Representatives from Heartland, the AEA system and the Des Moines Public Schools participated in a meeting with state Senator Matt McCoy on June 4. Senator McCoy was open to learning and understanding the challenges that face urban districts and the AEAs. Both organizations face budget issues and lack of flexibility in their use of available resources.
Board Policies 419 Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct and 805.5 Fixed Asset Inventory
Board Policy 805.5 Fixed Asset Inventory has been amended to align it with general government accounting standards. This will keep the Agency in compliance with accounting principals and guidelines.
A draft of Board Policy 419 Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct was reviewed. This policy was developed at the request of the Board and is one all organizations should have. It allows employees to disclose any conduct they feel is wrongful and provides a process to investigate any wrongdoing. Board members said the policy would offer reassurance to staff that information would be kept confidential and there would be no retaliation. A second reading of the policy will be held next month.
Facilities Update
Mr. Steve Zbylicki from FRK Architects and Engineers reviewed designs for the 6500 building remodel. The budget for the remodel is estimated at $1.5 million and includes mechanical renovation, parking lot repairs and new equipment and furnishings. The remodel will also include a large conference room that seats 100 but can also be divided into smaller sections. The library will be relocated to the front of the building for easier accessibility, and the print shop will be relocated to the rear. Carpet will be replaced in high need areas, there will be upgrades to the indoor air quality and a new set of restrooms will be installed. The Board will be asked to approve the final plans and specifications at the July 13 meeting so construction can begin around September 15 with completion in January 2011.
Board members asked if the costs of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system could be explored. Mr. Zbylicki indicated that it would be possible to complete a small study prior to the July 13 Board meeting at a cost of under $10,000. Board members discussed the impact the study would have on the timeline and work and money already invested. A recommendation for creating a board policy that includes a process for reviewing construction plans for green technology was also suggested for future use.
Adel and 6445 Lease Purchase Prepayments
Mr. Dave King discussed the prepayment of the 6445 lease purchase agreement and the payoff of the Adel lease purchase agreement. Paying off the Adel lease balance will save the Agency $686,000 and prepaying $555,000 on the 6445 lease debt will save the Agency $23,587 annually in interest expense.
Action Items
The Board unanimously approved the amended Board Policy 805.5 Fixed Asset Inventory.
The Board unanimously approved the payoff of the Adel lease purchase agreement and prepayment of the 6445 lease purchase agreement.
The Board unanimously approved the annual resolution of depositories for 2009-10 and also for 2010-11.
Board Comments
The Board approved having a preliminary exploration/study conducted to determine the costs of a geothermal system for the 6500 Johnston Regional Education Center. The study would include a cost comparison of the remodel with and without a geothermal system, the impact on the remodeling timeline and an estimate of payback or cost offset of installing a geothermal system. The study will be reviewed at the July 13 Board meeting.
No one was present to speak at the public forum.
Discussion Items Des Moines Leadership Update
During the last few weeks, Ms. Sheila King has met twice with Des Moines Public Schools’ superintendent Nancy Sebring. Both meetings were held to discuss the partnership between Heartland and the district. Des Moines shared its five-year professional development plan and spoke of a need for guidance with response to intervention (RTI). The conversations were rich and the Agency will continue its commitment to providing support and assistance.
Ms. King spoke briefly about Dr. Jim Verlengia, Interim Director of District Services, who will begin transitioning to a role that is focused on leadership support for 2010-11. He will work closely with Ms. Sharon Kurns, Director of Professional Learning and Leadership.
Representatives from Heartland, the AEA system and the Des Moines Public Schools participated in a meeting with state Senator Matt McCoy on June 4. Senator McCoy was open to learning and understanding the challenges that face urban districts and the AEAs. Both organizations face budget issues and lack of flexibility in their use of available resources.
Board Policies 419 Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct and 805.5 Fixed Asset Inventory
Board Policy 805.5 Fixed Asset Inventory has been amended to align it with general government accounting standards. This will keep the Agency in compliance with accounting principals and guidelines.
A draft of Board Policy 419 Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct was reviewed. This policy was developed at the request of the Board and is one all organizations should have. It allows employees to disclose any conduct they feel is wrongful and provides a process to investigate any wrongdoing. Board members said the policy would offer reassurance to staff that information would be kept confidential and there would be no retaliation. A second reading of the policy will be held next month.
Facilities Update
Mr. Steve Zbylicki from FRK Architects and Engineers reviewed designs for the 6500 building remodel. The budget for the remodel is estimated at $1.5 million and includes mechanical renovation, parking lot repairs and new equipment and furnishings. The remodel will also include a large conference room that seats 100 but can also be divided into smaller sections. The library will be relocated to the front of the building for easier accessibility, and the print shop will be relocated to the rear. Carpet will be replaced in high need areas, there will be upgrades to the indoor air quality and a new set of restrooms will be installed. The Board will be asked to approve the final plans and specifications at the July 13 meeting so construction can begin around September 15 with completion in January 2011.
Board members asked if the costs of installing a geothermal heating and cooling system could be explored. Mr. Zbylicki indicated that it would be possible to complete a small study prior to the July 13 Board meeting at a cost of under $10,000. Board members discussed the impact the study would have on the timeline and work and money already invested. A recommendation for creating a board policy that includes a process for reviewing construction plans for green technology was also suggested for future use.
Adel and 6445 Lease Purchase Prepayments
Mr. Dave King discussed the prepayment of the 6445 lease purchase agreement and the payoff of the Adel lease purchase agreement. Paying off the Adel lease balance will save the Agency $686,000 and prepaying $555,000 on the 6445 lease debt will save the Agency $23,587 annually in interest expense.
Action Items
The Board unanimously approved the amended Board Policy 805.5 Fixed Asset Inventory.
The Board unanimously approved the payoff of the Adel lease purchase agreement and prepayment of the 6445 lease purchase agreement.
The Board unanimously approved the annual resolution of depositories for 2009-10 and also for 2010-11.
Board Comments
The Board approved having a preliminary exploration/study conducted to determine the costs of a geothermal system for the 6500 Johnston Regional Education Center. The study would include a cost comparison of the remodel with and without a geothermal system, the impact on the remodeling timeline and an estimate of payback or cost offset of installing a geothermal system. The study will be reviewed at the July 13 Board meeting.
Reminder About Parking at Johnston Regional Education Center
Professional development classes are now in full swing for the summer season, which means the parking lot at the Johnston Regional Education Center will begin to fill up quickly. Please be patient as we experience an increase in visitors and a decrease in available parking spaces. Remember that there are extra parking spaces at the 6445 Administration Center and that street parking is available along Corporate Drive.
Summer Van Route Listing Now Available
Click here to download the listing of summer van routes. As always, they are subject to change.
Changes to Saydel and Peoria Christian E-mail Addresses
The Saydel district has changed its e-mail addresses to lastnamefirstname@saydel.net (example: John Doe = doejohn@saydel.net).
Peoria Christian School has changed some of its e-mail addresses. Please go to PeopleBox to find an accurate listing of all staff members’ addresses.
Peoria Christian School has changed some of its e-mail addresses. Please go to PeopleBox to find an accurate listing of all staff members’ addresses.
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