Our Mission
To improve the learning outcomes and well-being of all children and youth by providing services and leadership in partnership with families, schools and communities.

Our Goals
• Increase learning growth for students
• Decrease the gap in achievement
• Increase annual graduation rates
• Increase gateways to post-secondary success 

Aug. 31 Last Day to Submit FY 2017 Expenses for Reimbursement

Aug. 31 is the last date the Business Office will accept and process any claims for expenses occurring on or before June 30, 2017. Do not submit expense claims with dates crossing the new fiscal year. Use a separate expense claim if you still have reimbursable expenses, which occurred prior to July 1, 2017.

If you have any questions, contact Mary Heaberlin, Accounts Payable Specialist, at ext. 14818 or Brian Whalen, Business Manager, at ext. 14005.

2017-18 Van Delivery Route Schedule Available

The van delivery routes for the 2017-18 school year are now available. As always, routes are subject to change. If you have any questions, contact Dustin Gean, Operations Manager.

Aug. 21-Sept. 15: Teacher Quality Registration Open!

Registration for Teacher Quality (TQ) courses and study groups begins Aug. 21 and ends Sept. 15, 2017. TQ courses and study groups meet for 15 hours off contract time, and participants are eligible for a stipend upon completion. New certified staff members are eligible to sign up for these opportunities. 

The amount of the stipend is established after registration closes. Last year eligible staff members were paid $640 to participate in a course or study group. Classes and study groups will be offered from Oct. 2017 through June 2018. Registration will open on Aug. 21 and information will be in The Connection. 

A new option this year will allow staff members to develop their own study group proposals. Study groups must have at least four participants and one participant must agree to be the facilitator. The content must align with Heartland AEA’s four goals or support a specific job-alike function. Study group proposals can be turned in anytime during the registration period – Aug. 21 – Sept. 15. The form to indicate your interest in forming a study group will be available Aug. 21. The Professional Development Office will work with interested participants in writing their study group proposal if assistance is needed. 

If you have any questions, contact Kevin Fangman, Chief Academic Officer, at ext. 14374.

Updated Statewide AEA Special Education Procedures Manual Now Available

Linked in this article are the Special Education Statewide Procedures Manual (July 1, 2017) and Release Notes (July 1, 2017). These are posted on the Iowa IDEA website as well as on the Heartland AEA website under Special Education Services > Guidance Documents. They are currently posted on the front page of the IDEA website, in addition to their permanent location under the IEP drop down menu > Statewide Special Education Procedures > Manual. 

If you have any questions regarding the content, contact your Regional Director.

Please Take the Time to Back Up Your Computer

With the busy start to the school year, sometimes people forget to do routine (but still important) tasks such as backing up their computer. Please take a few minutes, ideally at least once a week, to back up your computer’s hard drive. Instructions for using Time Machine and your external hard drive to back up your computer are available on the Intranet > Technology > Apple Devices > Setting Up Time Machine. 

If you have any questions about backing up your computer, contact Marquis Jones or Mike Permann in the Internal Technology Department.