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

Retirement Contribution Limits Announced for 2020

The IRS has announced that the 403(b) and 457 plan regular elective deferral contribution limits will increase for 2020. 

• The regular elective deferral limit will be $19,500 per calendar year, previously $19,000. 
• The catch-up contribution limit for employees age 50 and over will be $6,500 per calendar year, previously $6,000. 

Both the 403(b) and 457 plans offer additional catch-up contribution provisions. A calculation is required to determine the actual amount, if any, available under these special catch-up provisions. If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Reminder: November Payroll Timelines Due to Thanksgiving

Due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, staff members paid from a timesheet must have their Nov. 1-15 timesheets completed, approved by their supervisor and submitted to the Payroll Department by the end of the day on Nov. 20 in order to ensure they receive pay at the end of the month. If you have any questions, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist, at ext. 14908.

Be Aware of Fragrance Sensitivity; Scent-Free Restrooms Coming to Owned Agency Offices

Fragrance Sensitivity 
As you are all deep in work in schools and offices, we wanted to send out a friendly reminder asking all staff members to be aware of the perfumes, colognes, deodorants and lotions you wear and the flowers, plants, etc. you bring into the office and the schools in which you work. Many people are sensitive to fragrances and can even have dangerous reactions to strong scents, including but not limited to, breathing problems, dizziness, allergic reactions and migraines.  


While we don’t expect everyone to stop wearing perfume or lotion or stop bringing items to the office, we ask that you be aware of these activities and be respectful about how they may affect co-workers, students and visitors at our offices. Remember that it’s not always easy for people to have these types of conversations with each other, so please take a moment to think about how you may be affecting others around you with fragrances and scents. The Agency is not instituting mandatory fragrance-free facilities, but we hope you will voluntarily be considerate of others who have fragrance sensitivity issues. 

Scent-Free Restrooms 
Our Operations Department has, though, been working to create one scent-free restroom in each of the office locations the Agency owns – the Adel and Ames regional offices, the Johnston Regional Education Center and the Johnston Administration Center. These restrooms will contain scent-free and dye-free soap to meet the needs of people who have allergy, scent or fragrance issues. Scented items are not allowed to be used or stored in any scent-free restroom, and each one will have signage to alert people that it is a scent-free restroom. 

Masks Available 
Masks are also available through the Human Resources and Operations Departments for anyone to wear to assist in reducing the potential effects of their medical/chemical sensitivity issues.

New -- Heartland AEA Online Store for Wellness Apparel Open to All Staff!

Exciting news! The Heartland AEA online store where staff can redeem their Wellness incentive for agency logo apparel is open for ALL employees TODAY THROUGH NOV. 29! Employees who have earned their $40 coupon towards logo apparel will receive a separate email with specific ordering information once Interactive Health has notified us. 

But new this year—all employees can purchase any items in the store (and shipping) at their own cost during the two-week period when the online store is open monthly through June 2020. (Use Speedee delivery or pick up your purchase at P&M Apparel in Polk City or use UPS for out-of-state shipping.) YAY!! Some seasonal items may be replaced with new items/colors in the spring. Keep your eye on The Connection for the link and monthly online store order dates! 

P&M Apparel Heartland AEA Online Store 

If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist.

Reminder: You Have Two Weeks Left to Enroll in or Waive the Dependent Care Flex Plan

Enrollment/Waiving Begins: Nov. 1, 2019

Enrollment/Waiving Ends: Nov. 30, 2019

You have until Nov. 30, 2019, to enroll in or waive the dependent care flex plan. If you are a full-time employee or a Certified Union employee working a 96-day contract, you are eligible to participate.   


All full-time employees will need to either enroll during this period or waive participation through the enrollment process. For eligible part-time employees, due to system configurations, it is assumed that you automatically waive the benefit; however, if you wish to participate and are a CU employee with a 96-day contract, contact Juliette Houseman to enroll via paper.



The dependent care benefit 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. 

The maximum amount your family may flex per calendar year is $5,000. All claims must be incurred by Dec. 31 and submitted for reimbursement within 60 days of the end of the plan year (March 1).



The deadline for enrolling in or waiving the dependent care plan is Nov. 30, 2019, at 4 p.m.   



To Enroll

First, go to your Employee Dashboard and go to the Employee Online Tab. On the left-hand side of the screen, click on the ENTER Your Dependent Care Deduction. 

Next… 

• Click Dependent Care Coverage Type.  
• If you want to waive Dependent Care and not have this benefit for the upcoming year, enter 0 under the New Change Request column. 
• If you elect to enroll in the plan, your maximum deduction per pay period can be $208.33, which equates to $4,999.92 ($5,000) total for the year. 
• Click Save to complete your Flex Dependent Care. (In clicking Save you agree to the Terms and Conditions.)  

NOTE: IF YOU ENTER AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN “0” IN EMPLOYEE COST PER PERIOD, THEN THAT AMOUNT WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM YOUR PAYCHECK PER PAY PERIOD. 



If you have any questions, contact Juliette Houseman, Benefits Specialist, at ext. 14315.

Signing up for the Maintain Don't Gain Challenge? Why Not Sign Up for Holiday Streakers, Too?

Register for the Maintain Don’t Gain Challenge! 


Important Dates

Registration: Nov. 18-Dec. 2

Challenge Begins: Nov. 25 
Challenge Ends: Dec. 22

LAST DAY TO RECORD ACTIVITY: Dec. 22



Description: This challenge will encourage participants to maintain their weight by increasing their physical activity and learning about good nutrition. Although this challenge is focused on weight management, all members can participate as weight loss is not required. 


Challenge Goal: Log at least 150 minutes of exercise each week and keep track of your weight throughout the challenge. Your goal is to engage in at least 600 minutes of exercise during this four-week challenge. 

See more in the informational flyer! 


Holiday Streakers 
Holiday Streakers encourages just 15 minutes of intentional exercise (or running/walking 1 mile) each day starting on Thanksgiving and ending on New Year’s Day (35 days) . Your participation cost goes towards supporting a non-profit, and you can use it towards your wellness bonus activity for up to $20 reimbursement! (Send your streaking pictures to Courtney Croatt and your confirmation receipt to Carol McDaniel for reimbursement.)



Read more about Holiday Streakers and how to sign up at the Holiday Streakers website.    

Maintain Don't Gain AND Become a Holiday Streaker!! It's a WIN-WIN!

Iowa’s AEAs Renew Commitment to Stakeholders Through Updated Strategic Plan

Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) have solidified their commitment to all of Iowa’s 500,000 K-12 students, 327 public school districts, 182 accredited, non-public schools and thousands of children birth to age 3 with its updated strategic plan. 

The plan, which builds on the work outlined in the AEA Compact, reflects our renewed commitment to the priorities and actions that Iowa’s nine AEAs will take to meet the needs of those we serve. 

The strategic plan outlines the essential functions of Special Education, Media Services and Educational Services that were identified when the AEAs were established in 1975. It also incorporates recent efforts to maximize efficiencies and align equities in services, such as children’s mental health and well-being and real-world, in-depth work experiences into schools (i.e., Future Ready Iowa). 

Heartland AEA has staff members represented on the teams to support the work outlined in the action plans: 

• Synergy: Kurt Subra, Chief Financial Officer
• Future Ready: Jon Sheldahl, Chief Administrator; Julie McGinnis, Special Education Consultant and Sue Schirmer, Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant 
• Well-being: Jadie Boens, Director of Special Programs

We are also aligning some of our agency priorities and focus areas with the Iowa AEA Strategic Plan, as we told you about at the September All-Staff Meeting.  

While each AEA may differentiate its services slightly according to the needs of its districts, the statewide AEA system is committed to uniting all of its essential services with this common plan. We believe we’re stronger together, and our statewide system is grounding the equitable, efficient, and effective experience of our districts with this strategic, system-wide plan. 

We encourage you to review the plan and its supporting documents.

Iowa's AEAs Strategic Plan
Iowa's AEAs Playbook