Our Mission
To
provide services and leadership, in partnership with families, schools
and communities, that improve the learning outcomes and well-being of
all children and youth.
Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success
Monday, November 11, 2013
Johnston REC HVAC Remodel Updates
Walnut Creek Campus Will Be Referred to as Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus
To avoid confusion with the Walnut Creek Campus School that is down the street, the Walnut Creek Campus building at 815 8th Street that the Agency will be using during the HVAC remodel will be referred to as the Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus.
Location Changes for Events Scheduled in Universal Registration System February-June
If you currently have an event scheduled in a conference room in the Johnston Regional Education Center (REC) between February 1 and June 1, an e-mail notification from Resource Scheduler will be sent to the contact person when the event has been relocated. If this is an event that is set up for registration through the Universal Registration (UR) system, please make sure the location is changed in the UR and all registered participants are notified of the location change. Instructors may e-mail the participants through the Instructor Center. For administrative assistants who set up activities in the UR, a new building has been set up under the district “AEA 11 – Heartland” called “Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus.” If you need any assistance, please contact the Professional Development office.
To avoid confusion with the Walnut Creek Campus School that is down the street, the Walnut Creek Campus building at 815 8th Street that the Agency will be using during the HVAC remodel will be referred to as the Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus.
Location Changes for Events Scheduled in Universal Registration System February-June
If you currently have an event scheduled in a conference room in the Johnston Regional Education Center (REC) between February 1 and June 1, an e-mail notification from Resource Scheduler will be sent to the contact person when the event has been relocated. If this is an event that is set up for registration through the Universal Registration (UR) system, please make sure the location is changed in the UR and all registered participants are notified of the location change. Instructors may e-mail the participants through the Instructor Center. For administrative assistants who set up activities in the UR, a new building has been set up under the district “AEA 11 – Heartland” called “Heartland AEA West Des Moines Campus.” If you need any assistance, please contact the Professional Development office.
Knoxville Office Put Up For Sale; Options for Office Space Being Explored
A “For Sale” sign was put up in front of our agency’s Knoxville Office building last week, and we wanted to let staff know what information we have about this. The Agency currently leases the building from Bob Baker, and Mr. Baker has expressed interest in selling this property for quite some time. He had asked Heartland AEA to purchase the building, and while the Agency explored the opportunity to purchase, the offer was ultimately declined. Future actions are speculation but could include the ability to lease from new owner, co-location with a school district in the region, lease of a different space, etc.
The “For Sale” sign posted by the realtor was the Agency’s first indication that the building was officially on the market. Please note that this development will not hinder our daily operations, and pertinent information will be shared when it becomes available.
The “For Sale” sign posted by the realtor was the Agency’s first indication that the building was officially on the market. Please note that this development will not hinder our daily operations, and pertinent information will be shared when it becomes available.
All Iowa School Districts Apply for Teacher Leadership Planning Grants
Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck announced that all 346 Iowa school districts applied for planning grants to support the local development of teacher leadership and compensation systems.
This effort to better utilize the expertise of top teachers to improve classroom instruction and raise student achievement is the centerpiece of the landmark education reform package passed by the 2013 Legislature. Teacher leaders will take on extra responsibilities, such as coaching, co-teaching and helping colleagues analyze student data and fine-tune instructional strategies.
The legislation creates a four-year process to develop a statewide teacher leadership and compensation system, with the goal of all school districts participating by the 2016-17 school year.
The 2013-14 school year represents an important planning stage. Iowa lawmakers set aside $3.5 million for planning grants made available to all public school districts. The purpose is to provide the resources necessary to facilitate a local planning process that includes school administrators, teachers and parents. Each district requesting a planning grant will receive $5,000 plus $3.71 per student. Technical assistance will be provided by the Iowa Department of Education and Area Education Agencies. Accepting a planning grant does not commit a school district to adopting a teacher leadership and compensation system.
Under the next step in the process, school district leaders who want to launch a teacher leadership and compensation system in the 2014-15 school year must submit their proposals to the Iowa Department of Education by Jan. 31. In March, the Department will notify the first group of school districts whose plans are selected.
This effort to better utilize the expertise of top teachers to improve classroom instruction and raise student achievement is the centerpiece of the landmark education reform package passed by the 2013 Legislature. Teacher leaders will take on extra responsibilities, such as coaching, co-teaching and helping colleagues analyze student data and fine-tune instructional strategies.
The legislation creates a four-year process to develop a statewide teacher leadership and compensation system, with the goal of all school districts participating by the 2016-17 school year.
The 2013-14 school year represents an important planning stage. Iowa lawmakers set aside $3.5 million for planning grants made available to all public school districts. The purpose is to provide the resources necessary to facilitate a local planning process that includes school administrators, teachers and parents. Each district requesting a planning grant will receive $5,000 plus $3.71 per student. Technical assistance will be provided by the Iowa Department of Education and Area Education Agencies. Accepting a planning grant does not commit a school district to adopting a teacher leadership and compensation system.
Under the next step in the process, school district leaders who want to launch a teacher leadership and compensation system in the 2014-15 school year must submit their proposals to the Iowa Department of Education by Jan. 31. In March, the Department will notify the first group of school districts whose plans are selected.
November 2013 School Leader Update From Iowa Dept. of Education
Click here to find the Nov. 2013 issue of the School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education. In this issue, Director Buck expresses his full support for the Iowa Core and our state’s ongoing work in the areas of standards and assessment. Also, be sure to get to know Jane Schmidt, who was named the 2014 Iowa Teacher of the Year on October 18.
November 2013 Iowa Board of Educational Examiners News Update
Click here to find the November 2013 News Update from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. The BoEE produces this quarterly newsletter for Iowa educators and it is being passed on for your information.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan Enrollment for 2014 Begins Today
Our online enrollment for the 2014 dependent care flexible spending plan will be open to eligible employees on Monday, November 11. If you are a full-time employee or a Certified Union employee working a 96-day contract, you are eligible to participate in this plan.
The dependent care flex plan allows you to pre-tax child, spouse or elder care expenses that you incur in order to allow you (and your spouse, if married) to work. If married, both spouses must be working to claim dependent care expenses. A dependent is defined as:
Click here to view an excellent 11-minute video about our agency’s dependent care flexible spending plan. The video will answer questions such as:
If you have any general questions about benefits at Heartland AEA, contact Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@heartlandaea.org or at ext. 14385.
To make your dependent care election for 2014, click the link below:
https://peoplebox.aea11.k12.ia.us/depcare
Use your PeopleBox login and password. If your PeopleBox password fails, try your Employee Dashboard password. Dependent Care enrollment will close on Friday, November 29 at 4:00 p.m. If you have any problems with online enrollment, contact Maureen Whited, Computer Software Engineer, at mwhited@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14533.
As a reminder, all dependent care expenses for the 2013 plan year must be incurred by December 31, 2013 and must be submitted to Kabel Business Services for reimbursement by March 1, 2014.
The dependent care flex plan allows you to pre-tax child, spouse or elder care expenses that you incur in order to allow you (and your spouse, if married) to work. If married, both spouses must be working to claim dependent care expenses. A dependent is defined as:
- A dependent of the employee who is under 13 years of age
- A dependent or spouse who is physically or mentally disabled
- A spouse who is physically or mentally disabled
Click here to view an excellent 11-minute video about our agency’s dependent care flexible spending plan. The video will answer questions such as:
- What is considered a “change of family status” for dependent care and would allow me to change my flex elections?
- May I elect dependent care flex dollars for day camp?
- May I elect dependent care flex dollars for before and after school programs or summer school?
- Can I use a relative to babysit my child?
- May I use a debit card to pay for dependent care expenses?
- What is the difference between electing to participate in the dependent care program and simply claiming my daycare expenses on my taxes at the end of the year?
If you have any general questions about benefits at Heartland AEA, contact Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, at kmartin@heartlandaea.org or at ext. 14385.
To make your dependent care election for 2014, click the link below:
https://peoplebox.aea11.k12.ia.us/depcare
Use your PeopleBox login and password. If your PeopleBox password fails, try your Employee Dashboard password. Dependent Care enrollment will close on Friday, November 29 at 4:00 p.m. If you have any problems with online enrollment, contact Maureen Whited, Computer Software Engineer, at mwhited@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14533.
As a reminder, all dependent care expenses for the 2013 plan year must be incurred by December 31, 2013 and must be submitted to Kabel Business Services for reimbursement by March 1, 2014.
November 2013 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
Click here to download the agenda for the November 12, 2013 Board of Directors meeting.
United Way Campaign Wraps Up; 2013 Total is………$18,344!
It keeps getting bigger and better! Our staff members’ total contributions and pledges for this year’s United Way campaign was $18,344; over $1,000 more than last year!
If you submitted a pledge card, your supervisor has been informed that you are eligible for the one-hour leave early option. Raffle prizes have also been distributed to winners.
Thank you to everyone who participated this year. Your investment helps our community reach bold goals in education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life. Together, we demonstrate to central Iowa how Heartland AEA LIVES UNITED!
If you submitted a pledge card, your supervisor has been informed that you are eligible for the one-hour leave early option. Raffle prizes have also been distributed to winners.
Thank you to everyone who participated this year. Your investment helps our community reach bold goals in education, income and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life. Together, we demonstrate to central Iowa how Heartland AEA LIVES UNITED!
Verifying Employment With Email Address for State of Iowa Cell Phone Discounts
Many employees take advantage of the 18% state of Iowa employee discount that is offered on Verizon cell phone and other cell phone service plans. Some of the companies, including Verizon, use employees’ email addresses as verification of employment. Since the change of the Agency’s email domain to heartlandaea.org, Verizon has not recognized Heartland AEA as an institution that is eligible for the employee discounts.
The Agency will be in contact with Verizon about this change, but in the meantime, we recommend you use your @aea11.k12.ia.us email address when signing up or renewing your Verizon discount. If you are a new employee this year and do not have an @aea11.k12.ia.us email address, you may be able to go to a Verizon store and show your agency ID to verify your employment.
The Iowa Educator’s Consortium does not administer these discounts, but more about them can be found on the IEC website at http://www.iec-ia.org/pages/IEC/Employee_Student_Discounts/Cellular_Phone_Plans.
The Agency will be in contact with Verizon about this change, but in the meantime, we recommend you use your @aea11.k12.ia.us email address when signing up or renewing your Verizon discount. If you are a new employee this year and do not have an @aea11.k12.ia.us email address, you may be able to go to a Verizon store and show your agency ID to verify your employment.
The Iowa Educator’s Consortium does not administer these discounts, but more about them can be found on the IEC website at http://www.iec-ia.org/pages/IEC/Employee_Student_Discounts/Cellular_Phone_Plans.
Medicaid Training Update: November 25 Sessions Available Online
As a reminder, MJCare will be presenting about Medicaid and the new online service billing system on November 25 & 26 at the Adel office. Please be sure to register for one of the trainings if you plan to attend. Training on the 25th will also be provided via web conference for those whose schedules do not allow for travel to Adel that day. If you plan to attend remotely, you will still need to register for the appropriate session. We will plan to tape the sessions and will make the videos available if the quality of video is appropriate for sharing. If you have any questions, contact Sara Mercer, School Psychologist, at smercer@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14312.
The link for viewing the presentation remotely is http://iowa.adobeconnect.com/medicade_training/
November 25 (offered on location and through web conference)
9:00-11:00 a.m.
IN058692111401
November 25 (offered on location and through web conference)
1:00-3:00 p.m.
IN058692111402
November 26 (in Adel only)
9:00-11:00 a.m.
IN058692111403
The link for viewing the presentation remotely is http://iowa.adobeconnect.com/medicade_training/
November 25 (offered on location and through web conference)
9:00-11:00 a.m.
IN058692111401
November 25 (offered on location and through web conference)
1:00-3:00 p.m.
IN058692111402
November 26 (in Adel only)
9:00-11:00 a.m.
IN058692111403
Do Not Upgrade Your Agency Computer to Mac OS 10.9
As you may be aware, there is a new Mac operating system available (10.9). As with most new major operating system upgrades, we anticipate some issues or problems. Because the Internal Technology Department has not had a chance to test this brand-new operating system, we ask that you do not upgrade to 10.9. After we have had a chance to test this OS more thoroughly, Internal Technology will send out updated information about whether or not we recommend an upgrade.
How to Use the Agency’s Dial Through Service
At times, agency employees may need/choose to use their personal phones (cell phones or land lines) to contact a school or parent. If they do not want to reveal their personal number, they can use the Agency’s
Dial Through Service. The steps to use the service are listed below.
1. Dial the access number (515) 473-7444 or toll-free (866) 528-4025. You will hear a dial tone.
2. Enter the code 2584262 followed by the pound (#) sign. You will then hear another dial tone. The system now functions just like you are in the office.
3. For an “outside” line, you will need to dial 8 and then the number.
4. If the call is long distance, you will then need to enter your long distance code when you hear the ICN tone just as you would in the office.
These instructions are also archived on the Intranet under Technology. If you have any questions, contact the Internal Technology Department.
1. Dial the access number (515) 473-7444 or toll-free (866) 528-4025. You will hear a dial tone.
2. Enter the code 2584262 followed by the pound (#) sign. You will then hear another dial tone. The system now functions just like you are in the office.
3. For an “outside” line, you will need to dial 8 and then the number.
4. If the call is long distance, you will then need to enter your long distance code when you hear the ICN tone just as you would in the office.
These instructions are also archived on the Intranet under Technology. If you have any questions, contact the Internal Technology Department.
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