Go to http://aeas4iowa.wordpress.com/ to read the latest edition of “Impacting Lives.” The blog newsletter is a statewide effort to communicate AEA success stories and services across the state.
• Making a Difference for Ava: AEA Staff Assist, Help Her Thrive
• Educating for the Innovation Age
• Northwest AEA Bullying Prevention Counseling Helps Middle School Girls
• Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Prairie Lakes AEA Works to Provide Programming
Monday, October 22, 2012
Wellness Update: Looking to Join a Gym – Now’s the Time!
Healthways Gym Deal
Did you know if you have Wellmark health insurance, you have access to a gym membership for only $25 a month through Healthways? Right now Healthways is waiving the $25 joining fee (through November 1), and they only require a 3-month commitment. The membership includes access to many different gyms, including all the Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness locations in Heartland’s area, as well as 7 Flags Fitness, Fitness World West and others in the Des Moines metro area. Contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Generalist, at ext. 14534 or tchiaramonte@aea11.k12.ia.us for more details.
Farrell’s Employee Discount
We are pleased to be able to announce a new partnership program we have negotiated with Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping® in the Des Moines area. Effective immediately, any Heartland AEA employee enrolling for a Des Moines-area Farrell’s 10-week challenge course will receive a discounted price of $299. This discount represents a savings of $100 off the regular 10-week pricing and is available to staff simply by showing proof of employment at Heartland. (Family members are available to take advantage of Farrell’s regular family pricing options.) Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping® has 11 metro locations with new sessions beginning every 10 weeks throughout the year. The next session’s orientation is January 5, with classes starting January 7. Please visit www.extremebodyshaping.com to find a location near you.
Did you know if you have Wellmark health insurance, you have access to a gym membership for only $25 a month through Healthways? Right now Healthways is waiving the $25 joining fee (through November 1), and they only require a 3-month commitment. The membership includes access to many different gyms, including all the Snap Fitness and Anytime Fitness locations in Heartland’s area, as well as 7 Flags Fitness, Fitness World West and others in the Des Moines metro area. Contact Tony Chiaramonte, Human Resources Generalist, at ext. 14534 or tchiaramonte@aea11.k12.ia.us for more details.
Farrell’s Employee Discount
We are pleased to be able to announce a new partnership program we have negotiated with Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping® in the Des Moines area. Effective immediately, any Heartland AEA employee enrolling for a Des Moines-area Farrell’s 10-week challenge course will receive a discounted price of $299. This discount represents a savings of $100 off the regular 10-week pricing and is available to staff simply by showing proof of employment at Heartland. (Family members are available to take advantage of Farrell’s regular family pricing options.) Farrell’s eXtreme Bodyshaping® has 11 metro locations with new sessions beginning every 10 weeks throughout the year. The next session’s orientation is January 5, with classes starting January 7. Please visit www.extremebodyshaping.com to find a location near you.
October 2012 Board of Directors Meeting Recap
Annual Board Meeting
Election of a President of the Board
Dr. Bridgewater nominated Mr. Turnquist as board president for the 2012-13 year. The votes were canvassed and the nomination passed 7 to 2. One vote for Ms. Borgen and one absent.
Election of a Vice President
Dr. Bridgewater nominated Ms. Borgen as vice president. The votes were canvassed and the nomination passed 8 to 1. One absent.
Appointment of a Board Secretary and Treasurer
A MOTION was made by Mr. Halliburton and seconded by Ms. Borgen to appoint Ms. Jenny Ugolini as board secretary. Motion passed unanimously. A MOTION was made by Mr. Halliburton and seconded by Ms. Borgen to appoint Mr. John Linch, from First National Bank in Ames, as board treasurer. Motion passed unanimously.
Appointment of Agency Level I Investigators
A MOTION was made by Dr. Bell and seconded by Dr. Rose to appoint Ms. Laura Gillon, Mr. Steve Iverson and Dr. Kristi Upah as Level I investigators. Motion passed unanimously.
Regular Board Meeting
Public Forum
No one was present to speak to the Board.
Discussion Items
Annual Financial Presentation
Mr. David King, chief financial officer, shared the Annual Financial Presentation for 2011-12. The Agency continues to be in stable financial condition despite a reduction in special education funding and is positioned to meet the 2012-13 budget challenges. The Agency’s unassigned fund balance decreased by $1.6 million and as of June 30, 2012 is down to 9.3%. However, continued cuts in special education coupled with pending cuts in federal funding will likely have a negative impact on the Agency’s ability to maintain service levels and respond to emerging needs.
Board Committee Reports and Updates
• IEP/IAEP – Tentative agreements have been reached with the IEC lawsuits. Once the lawsuits are finalized, the IEC will be replaced by the IAEP.
• Board Policy Taskforce – The taskforce has completed the 500 series and continues to progress through the manual.
• Board Self-Evaluation – Dr. Vincent discussed the Board’s self-evaluation process. She reviewed the questions with members based on their input and will send the evaluation out electronically to be completed.
Director District 6 Board Vacancy
Board members reviewed the timeline for replacing Ms. Sparks, board member in district 6, who is resigning as a member. A special director district convention will be held November 27.
The Project Science Education Mobile Instruction (SEMI) Trailer
The Project SEMI is currently being stored at the DMACC campus in Ankeny. The Agency is utilizing various means to try to sell the mobile lab, including a government auction site. Recently, an out-of-state university has shown interest in purchasing the lab but there is no current offer.
Action Items
Approval of Director Districts Resolution Amendment
A MOTION was made by Dr. Bell and seconded by Dr. Bridgewater to amend the Director District Resolution. The new director district assignments will be made retroactive to July 1, 2012. Motion passed unanimously.
Board Comments
• Ms. Sparks thanked board members for their friendship and service during her tenure as a member.
• Ms. Borgen attended a legislative forum this morning and was pleased to hear the candidates speak positively about the AEAs.
Election of a President of the Board
Dr. Bridgewater nominated Mr. Turnquist as board president for the 2012-13 year. The votes were canvassed and the nomination passed 7 to 2. One vote for Ms. Borgen and one absent.
Election of a Vice President
Dr. Bridgewater nominated Ms. Borgen as vice president. The votes were canvassed and the nomination passed 8 to 1. One absent.
Appointment of a Board Secretary and Treasurer
A MOTION was made by Mr. Halliburton and seconded by Ms. Borgen to appoint Ms. Jenny Ugolini as board secretary. Motion passed unanimously. A MOTION was made by Mr. Halliburton and seconded by Ms. Borgen to appoint Mr. John Linch, from First National Bank in Ames, as board treasurer. Motion passed unanimously.
Appointment of Agency Level I Investigators
A MOTION was made by Dr. Bell and seconded by Dr. Rose to appoint Ms. Laura Gillon, Mr. Steve Iverson and Dr. Kristi Upah as Level I investigators. Motion passed unanimously.
Regular Board Meeting
Public Forum
No one was present to speak to the Board.
Discussion Items
Annual Financial Presentation
Mr. David King, chief financial officer, shared the Annual Financial Presentation for 2011-12. The Agency continues to be in stable financial condition despite a reduction in special education funding and is positioned to meet the 2012-13 budget challenges. The Agency’s unassigned fund balance decreased by $1.6 million and as of June 30, 2012 is down to 9.3%. However, continued cuts in special education coupled with pending cuts in federal funding will likely have a negative impact on the Agency’s ability to maintain service levels and respond to emerging needs.
Board Committee Reports and Updates
• IEP/IAEP – Tentative agreements have been reached with the IEC lawsuits. Once the lawsuits are finalized, the IEC will be replaced by the IAEP.
• Board Policy Taskforce – The taskforce has completed the 500 series and continues to progress through the manual.
• Board Self-Evaluation – Dr. Vincent discussed the Board’s self-evaluation process. She reviewed the questions with members based on their input and will send the evaluation out electronically to be completed.
Director District 6 Board Vacancy
Board members reviewed the timeline for replacing Ms. Sparks, board member in district 6, who is resigning as a member. A special director district convention will be held November 27.
The Project Science Education Mobile Instruction (SEMI) Trailer
The Project SEMI is currently being stored at the DMACC campus in Ankeny. The Agency is utilizing various means to try to sell the mobile lab, including a government auction site. Recently, an out-of-state university has shown interest in purchasing the lab but there is no current offer.
Action Items
Approval of Director Districts Resolution Amendment
A MOTION was made by Dr. Bell and seconded by Dr. Bridgewater to amend the Director District Resolution. The new director district assignments will be made retroactive to July 1, 2012. Motion passed unanimously.
Board Comments
• Ms. Sparks thanked board members for their friendship and service during her tenure as a member.
• Ms. Borgen attended a legislative forum this morning and was pleased to hear the candidates speak positively about the AEAs.
Updates to Educational Evaluation Reports (EERs)
The EER documents containing 4 or more domains have been updated and placed into Google Docs. A glitch was found in the old forms that did not allow text entry within a specific field. This has been corrected on the updated documents dated 10/11/2012.
The documents can also be found by clicking the links below:
● EER Report 4 Domains
● EER Report 5 Domains
● EER Report 6 Domains
● EER Report 7 Domains
The documents can also be found by clicking the links below:
● EER Report 4 Domains
● EER Report 5 Domains
● EER Report 6 Domains
● EER Report 7 Domains
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