The annual meeting and the regular meeting of the Heartland Board of Directors were held on October 11, 2011.
ANNUAL BOARD MEETING
Election of a President of the Board
A MOTION was made by Ms. Ann Wilson to nominate Mr. Nels Turnquist as Board President. A formal vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
Election of a Vice President
A MOTION was made by Mr. Bruce Christensen to nominate Ms. Margaret Borgen as Vice President. A formal vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
Appointment of a Board Secretary and Treasurer
A MOTION was made by Dr. Jane Bell to appoint Ms. Jenny Ugolini as Board Secretary. Motion passed unanimously. A MOTION was made by Ms. Ann Wilson to appoint Mr. Terry Wycoff as Board Treasurer. Motion passed unanimously.
Appointment of Legal Counsel
A MOTION was made by Ms. Margaret Borgen and seconded by Dr. Jane Bell to appoint Nyemaster Goode law firm as the Agency’s legal counsel. Motion passed unanimously.
Appointment of Agency Level I Investigators
A MOTION was made by Mr. Cal Halliburton and seconded by Ms. Ann Wilson to appoint Ms. Laura Gillon, Mr. Steve Iverson and Dr. Kristi Upah as Level I investigators. Motion passed unanimously.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Public Forum
Ms. Colleen Chalfant, a Heartland AEA regional secretary, spoke to the Board about her concerns regarding the post-employment policy.
Discussion Items
Post-Employment Policy Annual Review
Dr. Paula Vincent spoke about the post-employment policy. The policy is an unusual tool for current times, as many organizations no longer offer a retirement benefit. The policy has had a positive impact on the Agency’s culture and staff has indicated how much it has meant to them. Board members have indicated they want to have a culture that honors employees but expressed concerns about the cost and having flexibility to adjust the policy in times of need. Dr. Vincent asked board members to consider the administration’s recommendation of rescinding the current policy scheduled to be effective July 1, 2012, and to extend the current policy through June 30, 2015.
Media and Technology Redesign Update
Mr. Steve Prall gave an update on the media and technology redesign project. The project will focus on balancing internal staff support and service delivery to school districts. As of today, there have been numerous staff interviews and interviews with external stakeholders. Next week, the redesign team will meet to identify themes from stakeholder responses and begin drafting a new design and implementation plan.
Print Shop Agreement
No discussion.
Intensive Services Update
Dr. Cindy Yelick spoke about the autism conference that was held in September. There were over 160 participants that included parents, teachers and staff from various community resources. It was a positive experience and a success for a first time event.
Governor’s Education Reform Plan
Dr. Vincent reviewed the Governor’s Education Reform plan. In response to the plan, the AEAs have had the opportunity to meet with Linda Fandel, the Governor’s Special Assistant for Education, and Jason Glass, Director of the Department of Education, and offer feedback. The plan has been reviewed by the other AEAs and an attempt has been made to show how the AEAs can be proactively engaged and supportive.
Action Items
Approval of Financial Statements
A MOTION was made by Ms. Ann Wilson and seconded by Dr. Jane Bell to approve the financial information submitted in the Certified Annual Report to the Department of Education. Motion passed.
Approval of Print Shop Agreement
A MOTION was made by Ms. Margaret Borgen and seconded by Ms. Ann Wilson to accept the print shop agreement as submitted. Motion passed.
Teacher Quality Committee Members
A MOTION was made by Dr. Earl Bridgewater and seconded by Dr. Jane Bell to approve the Teacher Quality Committee members as submitted. Motion passed.
Post-Employment Policy
A MOTION was made by Mr. Cal Halliburton and seconded by Mr. Nels Turnquist to approve the administration’s recommendation on the post-employment plan. Dr. Earl Bridgewater amended the motion to keep the present benefits through June 30, 2013, and effective July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, reduce the benefits to a single benefit and to keep the qualifying age at 58. The amendment was seconded by Ms. Margaret Borgen. A roll call vote was taken. Motion passes 5-3 vote.
Dr. Steve Rose amended the amendment to accept the administration recommendation in terms of benefits until June 30, 2015, and effective July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017, reduce the benefits to a single benefit and to keep the qualifying age at 58. The amendment was seconded by Dr. Jane Bell. A roll call vote was taken. Motion failed 1-7 vote. A roll call vote was taken on the motion to approve the administrations’ recommendation on the post-employment plan with the amendment to keep the present benefits through June 30, 2013, and effective July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, reduce the benefits to a single benefit and to keep the qualifying age at 58. Motion passes 5-3 vote.
IN SUMMARY: The post-employment plan that was to be effective July 1, 2012 has been rescinded. The current policy will be kept in place through June 30, 2015. However, beginning July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015, the benefits will be reduced from a family to single benefit and the qualifying age of 58 will remain the same.
Quarterly Evaluation of Chief Administrator (Completed in open session)
Board members held their quarterly evaluation of the chief administrator.
• Dr. Vincent is very respectful to difference of opinions and that is an example of good leadership.
• The Board would ask that as future agendas are set, to be mindful of any issues that need to be readdressed. When the Board makes a decision, there should be a prior discussion on whether to bring any issue back for reconsideration.
• There are concerns about any follow-up to the September autism conference. This has been an area of criticism for the Agency. There needs to be more steps taken, as an isolated event isn’t very helpful.
• Dr. Vincent has done a good job in keeping the Board informed, offering professional advice, maintaining good communication and serving as chief advisor to the Board. She is also very ethical and has been fair to both the Board and staff.
• There needs to be more work on district partnerships.
• There needs to be better marketing of Heartland AEA and the AEA system.
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