On August 10, 2010, the Heartland AEA Board of Directors adopted Board Policy 419, Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct (Whistleblower Policy). The new policy identifies expectations of Heartland’s Chief Administrator, directors and staff members to conduct themselves in an honorable manner, follow all agency policies and regulations as well as applicable state and federal laws. The policy outlines “wrongful conduct” and the process that staff members can use to report wrongful conduct. This policy is included below and is also accessible under the Board tab on the Intranet. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact Nola Bond, Director of Human Resources at nbond@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14318.
Policy Title: Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct (Whistleblower Policy)
Code No. 419
The Board of Directors expects its Chief Administrator, directors, and employees of the Agency to fulfill the public’s trust and to conduct themselves in an honorable manner, abiding by all Heartland Area Education Agency 11 policies and regulations and by all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
When employees know or have reasonable cause to believe that serious instances of wrongful conduct (e.g., mismanagement of agency resources, violations of law and/or abuse of authority) have occurred, they should report such wrongful conduct to the Board President or one of the Agency’s designated compliance officers.
For purposes of this policy, the term “wrongful conduct” shall be defined to include:
• Theft of agency money, property, or resources
• Misuse of authority for personal gain or other non-agency purpose
• Fraud
• Violation of the Iowa Board of Education Examiners Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, 282-25
• Violations of applicable federal and state laws and regulations
• Serious violations of agency policy, regulation, and /or procedure
Disclosure and Investigation
Employees who know or have reasonable cause to believe that wrongful conduct has occurred shall report such mismanagement, fraud or abuse to the Board President or one of the Agency’s designated compliance officers. The Agency’s Chief Administrator and the Director of Human Resources have been designated as compliance officers for the purpose of this policy. The Board President or one of the designated compliance officers shall take immediate steps to conduct an investigation upon receiving a report of alleged wrongful conduct.
If an investigation substantiates occurrence of wrongful conduct, the investigating compliance officer shall issue a report to the appropriate personnel. Final disposition of the matter and any decision to file a criminal complaint or refer the matter to the appropriate law enforcement and/or regulatory agency for independent investigation shall be made in consultation with legal counsel. Results of the investigation shall not be disclosed to or discussed with anyone other than those individuals with a legitimate need to know.
Confidentiality
Except as otherwise provided in state and/or federal law, the Board President, Chief Administrator or Director of Human Resources shall make reasonable attempts to protect the identity of the employee making the disclosure in a confidential manner, as long as doing so does not interfere with conducting an investigation of the specific allegations or taking corrective action.
Retaliation
Retaliation in any form against someone who exercises his or her right to make a complaint under this policy or against any individual who provides information to any such complaints is strictly prohibited and will in itself constitute cause for appropriate disciplinary action. Persons accused of wrongful conduct are warned that any form of retaliation taken against a person submitting a good faith concern or complaint or participating in good faith in the investigation of a complaint will be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Notice
The board shall ensure that notices are posted conspicuously in each Agency Regional office, informing employees of their right and duty to report any act of wrongful conduct.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Application Needed to Conduct Research at Heartland or in Heartland Schools
Did you know that if universities or Heartland staff members want to conduct research (including theses, dissertations or grant work) at Heartland or in Heartland schools, there is an application that must be completed?
What?
• “Research” includes, but is not limited to, requests from external organizations, such as colleges, universities, and other organizations (but excluding the Iowa Department of Education) and AEA 11 employees to (a) use or access AEA 11 resources (e.g., staff, student records, AEA 11 data), (b) conduct a thesis or dissertation, or (c) engage in grant work (e.g., write letters of support or commitment, FTE allocation).
• Research does not include programmatic planning, needs assessment for district planning, program evaluation, or direct services to children and youth.
Who?
• External organizations (e.g., colleges and universities, undergraduate or graduate students wanting to collect thesis or dissertation data)
• All current AEA 11 employees wanting to collect thesis or dissertation data (even if LEA approval has already been obtained)
• All current AEA 11 employees wanting to conduct research outside of their everyday work routine (not to fulfill thesis or dissertation requirements)
Why?
• To protect the rights and welfare of staff and students who are the subjects of research
• To ensure the research follows ethical guidelines
• To protect Heartland staff and clients from potential infringements on their time or resources
• To gain awareness of activities associated with Heartland
• To ensure our LEA partners are aware of research activities
If you fall under the “who” category above, you must complete an application to conduct research at Heartland. If you are engaged in a thesis or dissertation or other project and did not complete an application, please let Alecia Rahn-Blakeslee know as soon as possible (see contact information below).
To obtain the application, please go to the Employee Dashboard and log in. Click on the Intranet tab. The application will be under Survey/Assessment/Research. For questions about the application, please contact Alecia, Program Assistant for Innovation, at arahn@aea1.k12.ia.us or ext. 14623. Thank you for your cooperation!
What?
• “Research” includes, but is not limited to, requests from external organizations, such as colleges, universities, and other organizations (but excluding the Iowa Department of Education) and AEA 11 employees to (a) use or access AEA 11 resources (e.g., staff, student records, AEA 11 data), (b) conduct a thesis or dissertation, or (c) engage in grant work (e.g., write letters of support or commitment, FTE allocation).
• Research does not include programmatic planning, needs assessment for district planning, program evaluation, or direct services to children and youth.
Who?
• External organizations (e.g., colleges and universities, undergraduate or graduate students wanting to collect thesis or dissertation data)
• All current AEA 11 employees wanting to collect thesis or dissertation data (even if LEA approval has already been obtained)
• All current AEA 11 employees wanting to conduct research outside of their everyday work routine (not to fulfill thesis or dissertation requirements)
Why?
• To protect the rights and welfare of staff and students who are the subjects of research
• To ensure the research follows ethical guidelines
• To protect Heartland staff and clients from potential infringements on their time or resources
• To gain awareness of activities associated with Heartland
• To ensure our LEA partners are aware of research activities
If you fall under the “who” category above, you must complete an application to conduct research at Heartland. If you are engaged in a thesis or dissertation or other project and did not complete an application, please let Alecia Rahn-Blakeslee know as soon as possible (see contact information below).
To obtain the application, please go to the Employee Dashboard and log in. Click on the Intranet tab. The application will be under Survey/Assessment/Research. For questions about the application, please contact Alecia, Program Assistant for Innovation, at arahn@aea1.k12.ia.us or ext. 14623. Thank you for your cooperation!
Operations Office Meeting Rescheduled for October 26
Operations staff members please note that the Operations Office Meeting scheduled for October 6 has been changed to October 26 and will now be held at St. Mary of Nazareth Church in Des Moines. Time is still 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Reminder: Heartland-Logo Clothing Available From Lands’ End
Just a reminder that Lands’ End is the official vendor for Heartland logo clothing items. Our Lands’ End e-store can be found at ces.landsend.com/heartlandaea. You can go to this site to purchase any clothing item in any color you like, and you can add the regular Heartland logo or the Heartland Cares logo. If you’re interested in purchasing clothing, Lands’ End offers frequent sales and promotions, so check the site often.
Clarification About Teacher Salary Supplement
This message only applies to staff members in the Certified Union group (e.g., consultants, psychologists, social workers, PLLCs, OTs, PTs, etc.).
Recently several staff members have asked questions about their paycheck amounts, concerned that they look different from what they expected based on the previous year’s checks.
This year what was formerly Teacher Quality and Phase has been combined and is called Teacher Salary Supplement (TSS). It is included as salary and distributed in every check. In the past, TQCF and Phase monies were separate from the salary schedule and distributed October through June. In all cases when base salary, TSS and any applicable stipends were applied, all employees did receive a total wage increase of some amount.
Please contact Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Michelle Smith at ext. 14422 (payroll specialists) with further questions about your individual paycheck.
Recently several staff members have asked questions about their paycheck amounts, concerned that they look different from what they expected based on the previous year’s checks.
This year what was formerly Teacher Quality and Phase has been combined and is called Teacher Salary Supplement (TSS). It is included as salary and distributed in every check. In the past, TQCF and Phase monies were separate from the salary schedule and distributed October through June. In all cases when base salary, TSS and any applicable stipends were applied, all employees did receive a total wage increase of some amount.
Please contact Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Michelle Smith at ext. 14422 (payroll specialists) with further questions about your individual paycheck.
Correction: Upcoming Mentoring Sessions for Staff
Last week there was a reminder for mentors and new staff members to register for mentoring sessions. The following are the correct Activity Numbers for the half-day sessions. If you have not done so, please register for one of the following sessions:
September 17
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Conference Rooms 3 & 4 at the Johnston REC
Activity Number: IN020692110201
September 20
12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Guthrie Center Library
Activity Number: IN020699991101
If you have questions, contact Rob Brookhart at rbrookhart@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14633.
September 17
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Conference Rooms 3 & 4 at the Johnston REC
Activity Number: IN020692110201
September 20
12:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Guthrie Center Library
Activity Number: IN020699991101
If you have questions, contact Rob Brookhart at rbrookhart@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14633.
Becoming a Learning School Conference to be Held in October
October 14 and 15, 2010 - Adventureland Inn, Altoona IA
Join Joellen Killion, Deputy Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council and author of Becoming a Learning School, for this exciting professional development opportunity directed at collaborative teams. In the professional learning community of a school, an effective collaborative team is necessary to improve learning for each and every student. This collaborative process, referenced multiple times in the outcomes of the Iowa Core, is foundational to the successful implementation of any school reform effort. The Becoming a Learning School Conference will provide strategies and tools to:
• Strengthen school and district culture
• Establish a focus on common goals
• Clarify roles of the stakeholders in the school
• Troubleshoot issues that are perceived as barriers to professional learning
• Build a strong evaluation system that ensures revisions are based on student needs
Collaborative Teams: If you don’t have one, this is how to get it started. If you have one, this is how to measure against a standard and improve. For more information, please go to the Heartland Professional Development Catalog at: https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/SI012099991101INV*.
Join Joellen Killion, Deputy Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council and author of Becoming a Learning School, for this exciting professional development opportunity directed at collaborative teams. In the professional learning community of a school, an effective collaborative team is necessary to improve learning for each and every student. This collaborative process, referenced multiple times in the outcomes of the Iowa Core, is foundational to the successful implementation of any school reform effort. The Becoming a Learning School Conference will provide strategies and tools to:
• Strengthen school and district culture
• Establish a focus on common goals
• Clarify roles of the stakeholders in the school
• Troubleshoot issues that are perceived as barriers to professional learning
• Build a strong evaluation system that ensures revisions are based on student needs
Collaborative Teams: If you don’t have one, this is how to get it started. If you have one, this is how to measure against a standard and improve. For more information, please go to the Heartland Professional Development Catalog at: https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/SI012099991101INV*.
September 2010 School Leader Update From Iowa Dept. of Education
Click here to download the September 2010 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education.
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