Regional office meetings will be held tomorrow. Materials for the meetings are available on the Intranet under the Professional Development Resources tab.
Regional Meetings – January 25
(Meetings begin at 8:30 a.m.)
Regions 1 & 2 – Annunciation Church, Coon Rapids
Region 3 – Adel Public Library
Region 4 – Adel AEA Office
Regions 5, 6 & 7 – Ames AEA Office
Region 8 – St. Mary’s Church, Des Moines
Region 9 – Johnston REC, Rooms 13 A/B
Region 10 – Zion Lutheran Church, Des Moines
Region 11 – Indianola AEA Office
Regions 12 & 14 – Third Reformed Church, Pella
Region 13 – Lutheran Church of the Cross, Altoona (Cross Creek meeting room)
Monday, January 24, 2011
January 2011 Board of Directors Meeting Recap
The regular meeting of the Heartland AEA Board of Directors was held on January 11, 2011. The majority of board members participated electronically due to inclement weather.
Approval of Agenda
Due to inclement weather, the agenda was amended to accommodate those participating electronically. The Board’s work session, 2009-10 audit review, accompanying action item and media and technology update were tabled until February’s meeting.
2011-12 Public Budget Hearing
No one was present to address the Board.
Public Forum
No one was present to address the Board.
Discussion Items
2010-11 Amended Budget and 2011-12 Proposed Budget
Mr. David King shared three central points about the amended 2010-11 budget and the 2011-12 proposed budget.
1. Budgets were built on existing knowns. During the budget development process every line item was reviewed with each budget manager to assure adequacy but not excess of funds. This helps us to maximize our resources. The budget was built on the current structure and organization of the Agency. While there may be changes, having every line item reviewed will provide assurance that there are sufficient funds available for the Agency’s programs and services. The proposed 2011-12 budget is based on zero allowable growth and just under one percent increase in enrollment.
2. Capacity from last year and this year will provide resources for next year. Due to a culture of austerity and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, the Agency ended last year with a surplus in educational services and media funds. These funds should allow the Agency to maintain its program and service levels for next year even though there may be a zero increase in allowable growth.
3. The Agency is positioned to maintain current staffing needs. The Agency’s enrollment has increased by one percent which will help pay for operating costs, however it will not cover increases in staff salaries, benefits or back-fill ARRA positions. When the ARRA funds end, the Agency will be able to manage due to capacity and flexibility from last year and the current year. There should be no need to reduce staff due to the loss of ARRA funds.
Comments:
• What do we project for next year in the way of staffing? We’re going to try to keep ourselves positioned to retain as much flexibility as possible knowing that we cannot predict what may happen with the legislature or in the economy. Unless the bottom falls out, there should be enough money to maintain staffing levels for another 4-5 years assuming the economy continues to improve.
• Thanks were given to Mr. David King, Ms. Sheila King and those staff who planned well for the use of ARRA funds. Thanks to the Board, too, who supported those plans as we see the voice of promise from that work.
Board Comments
• The Board work sessions have been postponed until February.
• Mr. Nels Turnquist and Dr. Earl Bridgewater reviewed the newly remodeled conference room at the Johnston Regional Education Center 6500 building and noted that classes were held for the first time there last weekend.
Approval of Agenda
Due to inclement weather, the agenda was amended to accommodate those participating electronically. The Board’s work session, 2009-10 audit review, accompanying action item and media and technology update were tabled until February’s meeting.
2011-12 Public Budget Hearing
No one was present to address the Board.
Public Forum
No one was present to address the Board.
Discussion Items
2010-11 Amended Budget and 2011-12 Proposed Budget
Mr. David King shared three central points about the amended 2010-11 budget and the 2011-12 proposed budget.
1. Budgets were built on existing knowns. During the budget development process every line item was reviewed with each budget manager to assure adequacy but not excess of funds. This helps us to maximize our resources. The budget was built on the current structure and organization of the Agency. While there may be changes, having every line item reviewed will provide assurance that there are sufficient funds available for the Agency’s programs and services. The proposed 2011-12 budget is based on zero allowable growth and just under one percent increase in enrollment.
2. Capacity from last year and this year will provide resources for next year. Due to a culture of austerity and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, the Agency ended last year with a surplus in educational services and media funds. These funds should allow the Agency to maintain its program and service levels for next year even though there may be a zero increase in allowable growth.
3. The Agency is positioned to maintain current staffing needs. The Agency’s enrollment has increased by one percent which will help pay for operating costs, however it will not cover increases in staff salaries, benefits or back-fill ARRA positions. When the ARRA funds end, the Agency will be able to manage due to capacity and flexibility from last year and the current year. There should be no need to reduce staff due to the loss of ARRA funds.
Comments:
• What do we project for next year in the way of staffing? We’re going to try to keep ourselves positioned to retain as much flexibility as possible knowing that we cannot predict what may happen with the legislature or in the economy. Unless the bottom falls out, there should be enough money to maintain staffing levels for another 4-5 years assuming the economy continues to improve.
• Thanks were given to Mr. David King, Ms. Sheila King and those staff who planned well for the use of ARRA funds. Thanks to the Board, too, who supported those plans as we see the voice of promise from that work.
Board Comments
• The Board work sessions have been postponed until February.
• Mr. Nels Turnquist and Dr. Earl Bridgewater reviewed the newly remodeled conference room at the Johnston Regional Education Center 6500 building and noted that classes were held for the first time there last weekend.
January 2011 Staff Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
Click here to download the minutes from the January 19 Heartland Staff Advisory Council meeting.
Updates Found on Setting Direction & Construction Blogs
Remember that updates about updates about the Agency’s future can be found on the Setting Our Direction blog at http://direction.aea11.k12.ia.us/, and updates on the Johnston REC construction project can be found at the Construction blog at http://construction.aea11.k12.ia.us/.
January 2011 AEAs’ Impacting Lives Blog
This month’s blog features an article about a girl who has thrived because of receiving assistive technology services from her AEA. Read more at http://aeas4iowa.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/aea-success-story-assistive-technology/ Please share the blog link with family, friends, clients—whomever you think would benefit from knowing more about the AEAs!
AEA Legislative Report
Click here to download the weekly legislative report from AEA Government Relations Specialist Wayne Haddy. We will provide staff members with these updates each week during the legislative session.
Update on Agency Use of Google Apps: Heartland Google Sites to Be Activated January 26
Heartland has been working hard to enable and integrate Google Apps into our agency’s collaborative tool set. We had some bumps with the transitioning of accounts, and we may experience more unexpected difficulties as we continue to expand the apps available for staff within the Heartland Google Apps domain. We appreciate your patience as we smooth out any rough spots during the transitions.
During the Google account transition process, we received tremendous feedback that Google Sites was one of the most important tools to have available for staff as quickly as possible. We listened carefully to this input and put Google Sites on the fast track for implementation across the Agency.
A Google Site template has been developed and is ready to be implemented. This is where we need your assistance. We cannot integrate the template and configure Google Sites without turning Sites on for the entire domain. Because we cannot devise a way to integrate Sites without turning them on, first we need your cooperation to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Beginning on January 26 we will be activating Google Sites within the Heartland domain. The purpose of this initial period is to configure Google Sites within the domain and to integrate the Heartland template and other back-end technologies into the Google Sites architecture.
During this initial period, we are requesting that you not use existing or create new sites within the Google Sites framework. We hope the transition will be very swift and that integration will be as seamless and trouble free as possible. We cannot project a timeline for integration because we have no way of trying it first. We will have to “do it live” and do our best to minimize any difficulties during the integration process.
Once the integration is complete, we will send out another communication with instructions on how to transition your existing Google Sites into the Heartland domain where necessary and how to access them. At that point you will be free to use and create Google Sites in accordance with the Agency’s guidelines regarding Sites, which will be communicated within the same time frame. We will also provide you with supporting resources such as tutorials and videos in the next communication.
We thank you for your cooperation and assistance with the Google Apps integration. Please rest assured that we are working hard to give you the collaborative tools you need in the shortest amount of time.
During the Google account transition process, we received tremendous feedback that Google Sites was one of the most important tools to have available for staff as quickly as possible. We listened carefully to this input and put Google Sites on the fast track for implementation across the Agency.
A Google Site template has been developed and is ready to be implemented. This is where we need your assistance. We cannot integrate the template and configure Google Sites without turning Sites on for the entire domain. Because we cannot devise a way to integrate Sites without turning them on, first we need your cooperation to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Beginning on January 26 we will be activating Google Sites within the Heartland domain. The purpose of this initial period is to configure Google Sites within the domain and to integrate the Heartland template and other back-end technologies into the Google Sites architecture.
During this initial period, we are requesting that you not use existing or create new sites within the Google Sites framework. We hope the transition will be very swift and that integration will be as seamless and trouble free as possible. We cannot project a timeline for integration because we have no way of trying it first. We will have to “do it live” and do our best to minimize any difficulties during the integration process.
Once the integration is complete, we will send out another communication with instructions on how to transition your existing Google Sites into the Heartland domain where necessary and how to access them. At that point you will be free to use and create Google Sites in accordance with the Agency’s guidelines regarding Sites, which will be communicated within the same time frame. We will also provide you with supporting resources such as tutorials and videos in the next communication.
We thank you for your cooperation and assistance with the Google Apps integration. Please rest assured that we are working hard to give you the collaborative tools you need in the shortest amount of time.
IFAS Systems to be Down for Upgrade January 27-31
The Agency’s IFAS systems will be down beginning at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 26 and will not be available until the morning of Monday, January 31. During this time the IFAS systems will be upgraded to a new version.
This means there will be no access to Expense Online, Leave Online, Calendar Online and Budget Transfer Online along with the IFAS Dashboard and the purchase requisition entry function.
This upgrade will also affect the weekly processing of expense checks. The process that normally occurs on Friday afternoon will happen on the morning of Wednesday, January 26. This means you will need to have your expense claims submitted to the Business Office by end of the day Tuesday, January 25 in order for them to be processed that week.
For those of you who regularly attend to items on your IFAS Dashboard tasklist, we ask that you address all the items on your tasklist before the end of day Wednesday, January 26. This will assist in a clean transition to the new release of the software.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rod Howell at ext. 14599 or rhowell@aea11.k12.ia.us.
This means there will be no access to Expense Online, Leave Online, Calendar Online and Budget Transfer Online along with the IFAS Dashboard and the purchase requisition entry function.
This upgrade will also affect the weekly processing of expense checks. The process that normally occurs on Friday afternoon will happen on the morning of Wednesday, January 26. This means you will need to have your expense claims submitted to the Business Office by end of the day Tuesday, January 25 in order for them to be processed that week.
For those of you who regularly attend to items on your IFAS Dashboard tasklist, we ask that you address all the items on your tasklist before the end of day Wednesday, January 26. This will assist in a clean transition to the new release of the software.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rod Howell at ext. 14599 or rhowell@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Regional Technology Trainings to be Offered in March
Regional technology trainings are being offered in March. These optional sessions will provide critical technology skills to help Heartland staff work more effectively. Items covered include:
- using the Finder
- managing and organizing files
- using Spotlight to help you find items quickly on your computer
- connecting to the Agency server
- creating a PDF signature for filling out electronic forms
- basic keyboard shortcuts
- Carroll AEA Office – March 17, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Activity Number: IN036192111113
- Johnston Regional Education Center, Room 18 – March 21, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Activity Number: IN036192111115
- Adel AEA Office – March 21, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Activity Number: IN036192111114
- Ames AEA Office – March 22, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Activity Number: IN036192111116
- Indianola AEA Office – March 25, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Activity Number: IN036192111117
- Knoxville AEA Office – March 25, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Activity Number: IN036192111118
Diverse Learners Resource Fair Coming on February 5
The Heartland and Des Moines Public Schools’ Parent & Educator Connection coordinators are combining two informative events for one great day! The 2011 Diverse Learner’s Resource Fair & Mini Conference will be held on Saturday, February 5 at the Botanical Center in Des Moines. Click here to download a flyer to pass on to educators, parents and students who may be interested in attending.
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