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
Mileage Reimbursement Increase
Effective July 1, 2015 the mileage reimbursement rate will increase to $0.41 per mile. Miles driven through June 30, 2015 will continue to be reimbursed at $0.39 per mile.
Cell Phone Reimbursement Capped
Although agency business-related cell phone minutes will continue to be reimbursed at $0.10 per minute, the Agency is implementing a monthly cap on the number of minutes we will reimburse. Beginning July 1, 2015 the Agency will reimburse up to 500 minutes ($50) per month. Submit your cell phone minutes monthly with the month identified in the description—for example, ‘Cell Phone Minutes – July.’ Employees are still required to retain their cell phone bills along with other receipts in accordance with the Staff Handbook.
If you have any questions about either of these reimbursements, contact Mary Heaberlin, Accounting Technician, at mheaberlin@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14818 or Brian Whalen, Business Manager, at bwhalen@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14005.
Heartland
AEA’s fiscal year will end on June 30, 2015. In order for us to close
the Agency’s books in a timely and accurate manner, the Business Office
needs your assistance in returning date-sensitive items.
- July 7: For payroll-related
work completed on or before June 30, turn in timesheets and submit
addendum online forms with appropriate approvals to the Payroll
Department by July 7.
- Review open Addendum Online assignments. Please close addendum assignments that will not have any additional hours logged.
- July 8: For travel, mileage
and purchases occurring on or before June 30, turn in claim forms,
expense claims, invoices for services or professional development/travel
forms with appropriate approvals to the Business Office by July 8.
- Do not put dates from two different
fiscal years on the same timesheet, vacation request or in-area travel
form. In-area travel forms with two fiscal years will be returned for
correction.
IMPORTANT: If extenuating
circumstances cause a delay in submitting expenses related to fiscal
year 2015, Aug. 31 is the last date the Business Office will accept and
process any claims for expenses occurring on or before June 30, 2015.
A separate year-end communication was sent directly to budget managers
and support staff. If you have any questions, contact Brian Whalen,
Business Manager, at ext. 14005 or Heng Fongkhamdeng, Budget Specialist,
at ext. 14417. Thank you for your assistance.
You should have received the Summer 2015 issue of the AEA Advocate via email last week.
In this issue:
- It’s our anniversary! (In the download, you will meet the 23 AEA staff members who have provided dedicated service for 40 years!)
- Watch it...share it! AEA 40th anniversary video
- Trending AEAs
- IEC + IAEP = AEA Purchasing
- Welcome Sam Miller to AEA 267!
As you hopefully know, Heartland AEA staff members can voluntarily save for retirement by participating in the Agency’s 403(b) retirement savings plan, which is made available through the Iowa Retirement Investors’ Club, commonly referred to as the RIC.
We’re pleased to announce that beginning July 1, 2015, Heartland AEA will offer staff another retirement savings option—the RIC’s 457 savings retirement plan.
403(b) vs. 457
What is a 457 plan? It’s another retirement savings program that allows you to defer part of your salary now until retirement. The investment providers, advisors, investment options and generally the maximum deferral limits are the same as our 403(b) plan. And just like the 403(b) plan, you can contribute to the 457 plan on a pre- or post-tax basis.
This comparison sheet gives a high level side-by-side comparison of the 403(b) and 457 plans. You’ll want to contact your financial planner or investment professional to help you determine which plan, or if a combination of both plans, is best for you.
More Information
- You can find more information about the new 457 plan on the RIC website.
- Detailed questions about 403(b) plan administration can be directed to John Williams of the RIC at john.williams5@iowa.gov or (515) 725-2135.
- Detailed questions about 457 plan administration can be directed to Jennifer Sandusky of the RIC at jennifer.sandusky@iowa.gov or (515) 281-0569.
- Payroll election forms can be found on the Intranet under Benefits > Retirement.
- General plan or payroll deduction questions can be directed to Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at sjordan@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14908.
Dates to note for the 2015-16 year:
Aug. 10, 2015
New Certified Staff start date
Sept. 11, 2015
All-Staff Meeting at Adventureland Palace Theater
Winter Break
APC has decided to continue the extended winter break schedule for the 2015-16 calendar year. This continues to be a change from our traditional “floating holiday” schedule for staff who have 262-day work schedules. APC will review winter break annually as part of the calendar-building process. If you have any questions, contact Sheila King, Executive Director of System Supports, at sking@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14386.
Dec. 24
Staff work day
Offices closed to the public
Dec. 25
Official agency holiday
Offices closed to staff and public
Dec. 28
Official floating holiday
Offices closed to staff and public
Dec. 29 & Dec. 30
Additional floating holidays for employees with 262-day work schedules
Offices closed to staff and public
Dec. 31
Official floating holiday
Offices closed to staff and public
Jan. 1
Official agency holiday
Offices closed to staff and public
Agency Internal Calendar
Remember that you can see important dates on the Agency’s Internal Google Calendar. Over time, this is where we will note all new dates for 2015-16. To add the Internal Calendar to your own Google Calendar, follow these steps:
1. Click the down-arrow next to “Other calendars.”
2. Select “Add a Coworker’s calendar” from the menu.
3. Copy and paste this link: aea11.k12.ia.us_gg5e2fnevnqej0cp8f5ap2a4lg@group.calendar.google.com
4. Click “Add.”
If you have any questions or experience difficulty in adding this calendar, contact Tim Weets, Network Specialist, at tweets@heartlandaea.org or ext. 14322.
Some staff members are coming to visit others in the REC and are finding that offices have been moved around. In case you’re wondering:
- Wendy Robinson has relocated to Steve Iverson’s former office.
- Brandie Gean will be moving into Wendy’s former office.
- Sara Mercer will be moving to Brandie’s former area.
- Also, as Leanne Chapman-Thill takes over the Shelter Care Program, her office will be located at Youth Emergency Shelter & Services (YESS).
Celebrate American Education Week and the AEAs’ 40th anniversary with discounted Iowa football tickets to the Nov. 14 Iowa vs. Minnesota night game in Iowa City! Tickets are available to employees in any AEA. Check out this website for more information and to order tickets!
We’d welcome this opportunity from other colleges and universities. At this time, the University of Iowa is the only one who has reached out—and this was offered at NO cost to the AEA system.
