Agency Leaders at Johnston Regional Education Center

Most of you, especially those serving in our Johnston Regional Education Center, know that the Agency has experienced some changes among our leadership staff in recent months. As a result of these changes combined with our annual review of assignments, the Agency Planning Council is currently in the process of assessing leadership responsibilities, staffing, and offices for 2013-14. 

For now, related to offices in the Johnston Regional Education Center and the Johnston Administration Center, Jim Verlengia, Regional Director, will be keeping an office in Conference Room 10 while maintaining his office in the Administration Center. Very soon Kevin Fangman, Director of District Services, will have an office in a conference room at the Johnston REC building, and he will maintain an office in the Administration Center as well. 

The offices formerly occupied by Sharon Kurns and Steve Prall will be unlocked and open for drop-in collaboration and meetings. In the future they may be converted back to office space. 

We ask for your patience as we work through these changes and get our plans in place for 2013-14.

Updated Out of Area Travel/PD Form Now Available

Click here to download an updated Out-of-Area Travel/Professional Development form. It is archived on the Intranet > Business Office > Out of Area Travel & PD Form/2012-2013 Travel Memo. If you have any questions, contact Mary Heaberlin, Accounting Technician, at mheaberlin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14818.

February Issue of Educator Connection with World of Media Available

Click here for the February issue of the Educator Connection and World of Media that was e-mailed to all area educators last week. You can search by keyword, download pages or print specific pages. Most articles include correlations to the Iowa Core. There is a unique URL for each page making it easy to share. Review the content and use the resources as you have conversations with educators. If you have feedback or suggestions for content, contact Claire Sowder, Communications Specialist, at csowder@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14014.

Green Hills AEA to Host Google Summit

Green Hills AEA, in collaboration with the Glenwood Community School District, is hosting a Southwest Iowa Google Summit on July 15-16, 2013. Alan November will be the keynote speaker for day one of the two-day summit. The registration fee is $75. Click here for a brochure with more information. If you would like to present at the summit, go to the following link to submit a presentation idea. http://goo.gl/Nh8iA

Your Life Iowa: Iowa’s Bullying and Suicide Prevention Hotline

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Now there’s a new, statewide “go-to” resource where youth, parents and educational professionals can find the answers they need about bullying. 

The Your Life Iowa Hotline offers advice and guidance 24/7 from trained counselors who are just a phone call or text away. Call (855) 581-8111 or test “TALK” to 85511 or visit yourlifeiowa.org. 

The dissemination of information from external organizations by Heartland AEA does not imply sponsorship or endorsement of the information. It is being passed on to our stakeholders for its educational value.

Videos From Planning for Retirement Session Available

If you were not able to attend the Planning for Retirement session on January 16 or if you’d like to review the information, please click on the links below. 

IPERS Presentation by Ronda Onken, Sr. Retirement Benefits Officer 

Social Security Presentation, by Barb Roby, Claims Representative 

If you have any additional questions, you can contact your local Social Security office or IPERS at (800) 622-3849.

February 2013 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

Click here to download the agenda for the February 12, 2013 Heartland AEA Board of Director’s meeting.

AEA Legislative Update

Click here to read the latest update of the Iowa legislative session from the AEA system’s lobbyists, Matt Eide and John Pederson, of the Eide & Heisinger firm.

Heartland AEA Legislator Contact Sheet

Click here for a list of the contact information for all Iowa House and Senate members in Heartland’s area. It includes addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Legislators are also listed by district in the back pages.

Statewide Special Education Procedures Manual Update

As of January 15, 2013, the Special Education Procedures Manual has been updated. In addition, the Special Education Procedures Release Notes have also been revised. Go to the Iowa IDEA website or to Heartland’s website to find the updates.