On February 22, 2012, President Obama signed into law the “Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012,” also referred to as the Tax Relief Act of 2012.
This Act extends the reduction in the Social Security tax rate paid by employees from 6.2% to 4.2% through the end of 2012. The Social Security tax rate is scheduled to return to 6.2% beginning January 1, 2013. If you have any questions, contact Payroll Specialists Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Michelle Westcott at ext. 14422.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Online Version of Resource Scheduler Coming Soon
The 4D programming team has been working hard on a new version of the Resource Scheduler application. The new version will be accessible via the web, so you will no longer need to use 4D to make your room and equipment reservations.
Resource Scheduler Online is designed to present a fast, friendly and easy-to-use customer experience. In addition to all of the same functions available in today’s Resource Scheduler, there will be some impressive new features. For instance, you will be able to reserve equipment in conjunction with your room reservation, reserve multiple rooms for the same day, do a keyword search to find rooms with specific equipment and even customize the look and feel of the application.
The planned release date for the new version is March 12. The URL for the new Resource Scheduler Online, along with a link to documentation, will be sent in an e-mail later this week. This information will also be in the March 12 issue of The Connection. The current version of Resource Scheduler will be disabled at 4 p.m. on March 9 to allow the developers time to migrate the data.
If you have questions, please contact Sean Boyle, Computer Software Engineer, at ext. 14319, Maureen Whited, Computer Software Engineer, at ext. 14533 or Lori Thelen, Information Systems Manager, at ext. 14669.
Resource Scheduler Online is designed to present a fast, friendly and easy-to-use customer experience. In addition to all of the same functions available in today’s Resource Scheduler, there will be some impressive new features. For instance, you will be able to reserve equipment in conjunction with your room reservation, reserve multiple rooms for the same day, do a keyword search to find rooms with specific equipment and even customize the look and feel of the application.
The planned release date for the new version is March 12. The URL for the new Resource Scheduler Online, along with a link to documentation, will be sent in an e-mail later this week. This information will also be in the March 12 issue of The Connection. The current version of Resource Scheduler will be disabled at 4 p.m. on March 9 to allow the developers time to migrate the data.
If you have questions, please contact Sean Boyle, Computer Software Engineer, at ext. 14319, Maureen Whited, Computer Software Engineer, at ext. 14533 or Lori Thelen, Information Systems Manager, at ext. 14669.
Job-Alike Facilitators Announced for 2012-13 School Year
Job-Alike Group facilitators for the 2012-13 school year have been selected and are listed below. These staff members will have protected time in their schedules to provide support as a facilitator. Job-alike facilitators work with leads in their groups to help design systems to support professional practice. As you recall, a Job-Alike Group is a group of staff members who all have a similar role or function within the Agency. All certified staff members are part of a Job-Alike Group. If you have questions about job-alike facilitators, please talk to your supervisor.
Sue Severson -- Special Education Consultants
TBA -- Speech-Language Pathologists
Dorothy Landon -- School Psychologists
Cheryl Risen -- PLLCs & Curriculum Consultants
Jean Boger -- School Social Workers
Sheri Haupert -- Early Childhood Consultants
Lynn McCartney -- Instructional Technology Consultants
Tori Carsrud -- Hearing Teachers
Donna Bachman -- Occupational Therapists
Emily Sweeney -- Physical Therapists
Terry Mendell -- Parent Educator Coordinators
Jude Richardson -- Shelter Care Educational Program
Sue Severson -- Special Education Consultants
TBA -- Speech-Language Pathologists
Dorothy Landon -- School Psychologists
Cheryl Risen -- PLLCs & Curriculum Consultants
Jean Boger -- School Social Workers
Sheri Haupert -- Early Childhood Consultants
Lynn McCartney -- Instructional Technology Consultants
Tori Carsrud -- Hearing Teachers
Donna Bachman -- Occupational Therapists
Emily Sweeney -- Physical Therapists
Terry Mendell -- Parent Educator Coordinators
Jude Richardson -- Shelter Care Educational Program
March 2012 School Leader Update
Click here to download the March 2012 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education.
Remember to Use the Print Center for Bulk Copying/Printing Needs
We have found that staff members are still using office printers and copiers to do bulk printing jobs. The massive amount of printing is hard on the office equipment, and the price per copy costs the Agency almost twice as much as if you would use the Print Center for the same printing.
Submitting orders to the Print Center has been streamlined over the past couple years to be faster and more cost-efficient. Jobs are submitted electronically through an online ordering system called WebCRD. The Print Center receives jobs electronically through the WebCRD system then completes the orders using the appropriate equipment. Completed jobs are then left on the Print Center pickup table for Johnston staff or sent to branch offices via the van mail. We ask that you allow the Print Center a week to turn around your order, but many times the Print Center is able to complete orders sooner than that.
All Heartland support staff has received training on how to use WebCRD. For print jobs, send a Word Doc or Adobe 9 PDF to your support staff person to upload to WebCRD. A true benefit to WebCRD is that once a file is uploaded, it is also archived on the system. If you ever need the file printed again, all the support staff person needs has to do is hit the “re-order” button and enter the quantity needed.
Some files, such as brochures and booklets, are shared among WebCRD users. Ask for the specific publication and have the support staff person look in the “Shared Files” folder on WebCRD. If you cannot find the file you are looking for, please contact the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
If anyone needs a refresher in how to use WebCRD, contact Julie Sypersma, Professional Learning & Leadership Technology Support, at jsypersma@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14676. If you have questions regarding the Print Center’s capabilities, contact Rick Bingaman in the Print Center at printcenter@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14412.
Much time and consideration have gone in to making our printing and delivery services efficient and timesaving for school and Heartland staff. Please be sure to use them!
Submitting orders to the Print Center has been streamlined over the past couple years to be faster and more cost-efficient. Jobs are submitted electronically through an online ordering system called WebCRD. The Print Center receives jobs electronically through the WebCRD system then completes the orders using the appropriate equipment. Completed jobs are then left on the Print Center pickup table for Johnston staff or sent to branch offices via the van mail. We ask that you allow the Print Center a week to turn around your order, but many times the Print Center is able to complete orders sooner than that.
All Heartland support staff has received training on how to use WebCRD. For print jobs, send a Word Doc or Adobe 9 PDF to your support staff person to upload to WebCRD. A true benefit to WebCRD is that once a file is uploaded, it is also archived on the system. If you ever need the file printed again, all the support staff person needs has to do is hit the “re-order” button and enter the quantity needed.
Some files, such as brochures and booklets, are shared among WebCRD users. Ask for the specific publication and have the support staff person look in the “Shared Files” folder on WebCRD. If you cannot find the file you are looking for, please contact the Communications Department at comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
If anyone needs a refresher in how to use WebCRD, contact Julie Sypersma, Professional Learning & Leadership Technology Support, at jsypersma@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14676. If you have questions regarding the Print Center’s capabilities, contact Rick Bingaman in the Print Center at printcenter@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14412.
Much time and consideration have gone in to making our printing and delivery services efficient and timesaving for school and Heartland staff. Please be sure to use them!
AEA Customer Satisfaction Survey Launched Today
A link to the annual Iowa AEA Customer Satisfaction Survey was sent to school district staff earlier today. The input collected in the survey will be used to measure the Agency’s progress on its objectives and make decisions about the programs and services the Agency provides to our schools, children and families.
The survey will remain open from March 5 to April 6. We ask that you encourage school administrators and educators you work with to complete the survey.
If you hold professional development trainings or meetings with school district staff between March 5 and April 6, please incorporate the PowerPoint slide found here in your presentation and show it during breaks and/or at the end of a meeting to encourage participation in the survey.
The survey will remain open from March 5 to April 6. We ask that you encourage school administrators and educators you work with to complete the survey.
If you hold professional development trainings or meetings with school district staff between March 5 and April 6, please incorporate the PowerPoint slide found here in your presentation and show it during breaks and/or at the end of a meeting to encourage participation in the survey.
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