You should have received an e-mail last week with a memo from Kathy Martin reminding you of your eligibility for the Agency’s 403(b) plan. Much of the information is repeated here.
What is a 403(b)? It is a voluntary retirement savings program similar to the 401(k) plan offered by private companies. As an employee, you are eligible to participate in the Agency’s 403(b) plan. The amount you choose to invest is taken from your paycheck pretax (before state and federal taxes are computed) and deposited into your 403(b) account. Your 403(b) contributions and earnings are available at retirement to supplement your IPERS and Social Security income benefits. You will be taxed on the 403(b) withdrawals.
What is a Roth 403(b)? It is similar to other Roth programs in that your contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Your contributions and earnings accumulate tax-free and are available to supplement your IPERS and Social Security income benefits.
Heartland makes the 403(b) and Roth 403(b) program available to you through the State of Iowa’s 403(b) plan, commonly referred to as the Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC).
Effective January 1, 2012, you will have the option to select between six providers: The Hartford, Horace Mann, ING, Security Benefit, TIAA-CREF and VALIC.
Important points to remember about the plan:
• The minimum contribution per pay period, as dictated by our providers, is $10 per pay period.
• You have the option of traditional pre-tax contributions and/or post-tax Roth contributions. You should work with your financial advisor to determine what is best for your retirement planning. If you want to model the effect of the tax savings from a pre-tax investment, go to the Employee Online tab on your Employee Dashboard and click on the “What If” calculator and enter the amount of your pre-tax deduction. This will show you how making the deduction on a pre-tax basis will affect your paycheck. The post-tax Roth investment is designed to offer tax savings at the time of withdrawal and not at the time of investment.
• You can change the amount of your contribution 12 times per year (at the beginning of each month). All changes received by the end of a month will be effective at the beginning of the following month. For example, a change submitted between January 1–31 will be effective on your February 15 paycheck.
• The Agency does not offer matching funds, but it is still very beneficial for you to start saving for retirement, even if you are only able to start with a small amount.
• In 2012, the maximum amount you may contribute per year is 100% of compensation up to $17,000. Also, if you have at least 15 years of service with Heartland or you are at least 50 years old, you may also be able to make additional catch-up contributions.
To start your contributions, contact one of the RIC’s investment providers. Contact information is on the RIC’s website at http://ric.iowa.gov/403b/index.html. On the left side of the page, click on Providers and Investments, then click on Active Providers. Clicking on the Advisor button to the right of each provider will give you a list of agents who are authorized to sell their products. The agent can send you enrollment information and, at your request, will schedule an appointment to discuss your individual financial goals. Click here for Heartland’s enrollment form.
For questions or to schedule a time to get together to discuss starting a 403(b) plan, please contact Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us. Questions may also be addressed to Steve Jordan, Payroll Specialist, at sjordan@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Deadline Fast Approaching for Completion of “Know Your Numbers” Campaign
The deadline is fast approaching for the completion of Heartland’s “Know Your Numbers” campaign. Just a reminder to complete your physical, register for the Wellmark website and complete your well-being assessment through the website by February 15. And don’t forget all the resources can be found on the Wellness tab on your Employee Dashboard!
“Introduction to Heartland AEA” Presentation & PowerPoint Templates Added to Communications Resources
A PowerPoint presentation called “An Introduction to Heartland AEA” has been added to the Communications Resources on the Intranet. This presentation is a general overview of the Agency and contains current facts and figures. Please use this presentation and/ or its content when presenting about the Agency.
A few new PowerPoint templates have also been added to the Communications Templates section, and there are now seven templates to choose from. Please use one of these templates when creating a PowerPoint presentation that represents the Agency.
While we’re on the subject of the Communications section of the Intranet, do you know all the things you can find there? A sampling of helpful resources:
• HeartBeat archive
• Agency mission statement
• Agency & statewide AEA system logos
• Staff & Schools directory
• Regional map
• School composite calendar
• Business card request form
• Photo/video consent form
• Electronic letterhead templates
• Electronic memo template
Check it out today!
A few new PowerPoint templates have also been added to the Communications Templates section, and there are now seven templates to choose from. Please use one of these templates when creating a PowerPoint presentation that represents the Agency.
While we’re on the subject of the Communications section of the Intranet, do you know all the things you can find there? A sampling of helpful resources:
• HeartBeat archive
• Agency mission statement
• Agency & statewide AEA system logos
• Staff & Schools directory
• Regional map
• School composite calendar
• Business card request form
• Photo/video consent form
• Electronic letterhead templates
• Electronic memo template
Check it out today!
ESL Endorsement to Be Offered Through Heartland/Drake Partnership
Heartland and Drake are excited to announce a new partnership to offer an ESL endorsement for area educators. The first of six classes will begin in July 2012 and will finish by the end of summer 2013. A cohort of 25 Heartland area teachers will be the first to have the opportunity to earn this endorsement.
Two informational sessions are scheduled for Feb. 23 and March 5 for teachers to find out more about the program. Click here for a flyer with registration information for the sessions. If you have any questions, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14379 or Stephaney Jones-Vo at sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14680.
Two informational sessions are scheduled for Feb. 23 and March 5 for teachers to find out more about the program. Click here for a flyer with registration information for the sessions. If you have any questions, contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14379 or Stephaney Jones-Vo at sjonesvo@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14680.
Last Chance to Register for Teacher Quality Courses & Study Groups!
Just a reminder that you must be registered on or before January 31 in order to participate in Teacher Quality study groups and courses. Click here to go to the article from January 16 with a link to all the offerings.
Instructions for Downloading and Filling Out pdf Forms
To ensure the proper steps for downloading and filling out a pdf form from the Employee Dashboard or an attached form in an e-mail, please follow these instructions. The instructions are written using the Firefox browser for downloading and Adobe Reader for filling out the form.
To download the form to your computer, “right click” on the file and select “Save Link As…” There are several ways to perform a “right click” but one of the simplest ways is to hold down the “control” key on the keyboard (make sure your mouse is positioned over the file) and click on the trackpad or mouse. Choose a location to save your file.
Locate the file and double click on it to open. If Adobe Reader does not appear in the upper left corner of your monitor, close the application. Again, locate the file. Hover your mouse over the file, right click on the file and a list of options appears. From the list choose “Open With,” then choose Adobe Reader from the list.
Forms must be completed using Adobe Reader. Do not attempt to fill out the form with Preview or any other application. If Preview or another application opens, close the file and open it with Adobe Reader.
To download the form to your computer, “right click” on the file and select “Save Link As…” There are several ways to perform a “right click” but one of the simplest ways is to hold down the “control” key on the keyboard (make sure your mouse is positioned over the file) and click on the trackpad or mouse. Choose a location to save your file.
Locate the file and double click on it to open. If Adobe Reader does not appear in the upper left corner of your monitor, close the application. Again, locate the file. Hover your mouse over the file, right click on the file and a list of options appears. From the list choose “Open With,” then choose Adobe Reader from the list.
Forms must be completed using Adobe Reader. Do not attempt to fill out the form with Preview or any other application. If Preview or another application opens, close the file and open it with Adobe Reader.
January Board of Directors Meeting Recap
The January meeting of the Heartland AEA Board of Directors was held on January 10, 2012.
2012-13 Public Budget Hearing
No one from the public was present to address the Board.
Public Forum
No one from the public was present to address the Board.
Discussion Items
Amended 2011-12 Budget and Proposed 2012-13 Budget
Mr. David King, chief financial officer, was present to review the amended 2011-12 budget and proposed 2012-13 budget. The amended 2011-12 budget includes using fund balance to offset the Xerox contract buy out and set-up of new print shop functions, pay off the lease purchase agreement for the Administration Center building, payoff the lease purchase agreement for the remodeling of the Johnston Regional Education Center, to replace the roof of the Administration Center, retain staff and offset other funding reductions.
The proposed budget for 2012-13 is a hold-steady budget of adequacy. It’s not a budget that contains a lot of new initiatives, nor is it a budget of austerity. The Agency is in a period of creating a budget to meet the adequate needs of its programs and services. Controlled funding (i.e., state aid) levels were reduced in 2011-12 and will be reduced again for 2012-13, although not as dramatically. Hopefully after that point, the Agency can get to a place where funding is at a known and stable level.
Quarterly CAO Review
Board members held their quarterly evaluation of the chief administrator.
• A great deal of work has been with the Des Moines Public School District.
• The district action plans will help schools meet their goals in impacting student learning. The work shown on the district plans showed a lot of thought and collaboration.
• There is more focus on partnerships. It’s been helpful to have Ms. Sheila King and Dr. Cindy Yelick present the work being done during the work sessions.
• The Agency’s finances are in good shape. The audit report was excellent and the Agency’s debt is being paid off early. That’s fantastic.
• There have been more discussions on the interaction between the Agency and Department of Education.
Update on the Administration Center Roof Replacement Investigation
Mr. Steve Prall, executive director of operations, discussed the results of the Administration Center building roof investigation. The roof is a rubber roof that was installed over 23 years ago. When the building was renovated, the roof was not replaced, and over the course of the years, it continues to get brittle, crack and leak. The Agency would like to replace the roof with a single rubber membrane at an estimated cost of $75,000.
6445 Building Roof Request for Proposals Approval
A MOTION was made by Ms. Wilson and seconded by Dr. Bell to authorize administration to develop specifications and an RFP for replacement of the roof of the Administration Center building with an anticipated mid-May/June 2012 installation. Motion passed.
Chief Administrator Comments
• Dr. Vincent will add additional time during a future work session for more conversations around the book study.
• Board members should let Ms. Ugolini know if they wish to continue to use their personal email accounts or their agency email account for receiving agency materials. They can also let her know if they require additional iPad training.
• The Eide and Heisinger Lobbying and Governmental Relations Firm has been hired to fill the AEA government relations position that became vacant with Wayne Haddy’s retirement. A contract is currently being developed.
• The Agency’s action plans will be updated this month and brought back to a future meeting for review.
• Board members agreed to continue the quarterly chief administrator review process.
• Dr. Bridgewater asked if Mr. Halliburton could facilitate a future work session on ethical behavior.
Closed Session
The Board entered into closed session at 7:40 p.m. to discuss the 2012-13 negotiations process and returned to public session at 8:33 p.m.
2012-13 Public Budget Hearing
No one from the public was present to address the Board.
Public Forum
No one from the public was present to address the Board.
Discussion Items
Amended 2011-12 Budget and Proposed 2012-13 Budget
Mr. David King, chief financial officer, was present to review the amended 2011-12 budget and proposed 2012-13 budget. The amended 2011-12 budget includes using fund balance to offset the Xerox contract buy out and set-up of new print shop functions, pay off the lease purchase agreement for the Administration Center building, payoff the lease purchase agreement for the remodeling of the Johnston Regional Education Center, to replace the roof of the Administration Center, retain staff and offset other funding reductions.
The proposed budget for 2012-13 is a hold-steady budget of adequacy. It’s not a budget that contains a lot of new initiatives, nor is it a budget of austerity. The Agency is in a period of creating a budget to meet the adequate needs of its programs and services. Controlled funding (i.e., state aid) levels were reduced in 2011-12 and will be reduced again for 2012-13, although not as dramatically. Hopefully after that point, the Agency can get to a place where funding is at a known and stable level.
Quarterly CAO Review
Board members held their quarterly evaluation of the chief administrator.
• A great deal of work has been with the Des Moines Public School District.
• The district action plans will help schools meet their goals in impacting student learning. The work shown on the district plans showed a lot of thought and collaboration.
• There is more focus on partnerships. It’s been helpful to have Ms. Sheila King and Dr. Cindy Yelick present the work being done during the work sessions.
• The Agency’s finances are in good shape. The audit report was excellent and the Agency’s debt is being paid off early. That’s fantastic.
• There have been more discussions on the interaction between the Agency and Department of Education.
Update on the Administration Center Roof Replacement Investigation
Mr. Steve Prall, executive director of operations, discussed the results of the Administration Center building roof investigation. The roof is a rubber roof that was installed over 23 years ago. When the building was renovated, the roof was not replaced, and over the course of the years, it continues to get brittle, crack and leak. The Agency would like to replace the roof with a single rubber membrane at an estimated cost of $75,000.
6445 Building Roof Request for Proposals Approval
A MOTION was made by Ms. Wilson and seconded by Dr. Bell to authorize administration to develop specifications and an RFP for replacement of the roof of the Administration Center building with an anticipated mid-May/June 2012 installation. Motion passed.
Chief Administrator Comments
• Dr. Vincent will add additional time during a future work session for more conversations around the book study.
• Board members should let Ms. Ugolini know if they wish to continue to use their personal email accounts or their agency email account for receiving agency materials. They can also let her know if they require additional iPad training.
• The Eide and Heisinger Lobbying and Governmental Relations Firm has been hired to fill the AEA government relations position that became vacant with Wayne Haddy’s retirement. A contract is currently being developed.
• The Agency’s action plans will be updated this month and brought back to a future meeting for review.
• Board members agreed to continue the quarterly chief administrator review process.
• Dr. Bridgewater asked if Mr. Halliburton could facilitate a future work session on ethical behavior.
Closed Session
The Board entered into closed session at 7:40 p.m. to discuss the 2012-13 negotiations process and returned to public session at 8:33 p.m.
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