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

Reminder: Mark Your Calendars for Virtual “Chats with the Chief”

Have a question, comment or concern? Join chief administrator Jon Sheldahl for a Chat with the Chief! All chats will be held via Zoom. You are welcome to attend any chat session that works best for your schedule. 

Zoom link for all sessions 

Region 1 

April 29, 2021 

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. 

Region 2 

April 15, 2021 

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. 

Region 3 

April 19, 2021 

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. 

Regions 4 & 5 and all Johnston Campus Staff 

May 3, 2021 

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Region 6 

April 12, 2021 

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 

Region 7 

April 8, 2021 

Noon – 1:00 p.m. 

Region 8 

April 19, 2021 

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

Shelter Care Program 

April 26, 2021 

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 

Heartland AEA COVID-19 Dashboard for the Week Ending March 5, 2021

We will provide you with COVID-19 case and quarantine data each Monday in The Connection. The numbers will fluctuate on a weekly basis, and our report will show what is current as of the previous Friday. If you have any questions, contact Nia Chiaramonte, Director of Human Resources.    

Thank you for your continued cooperation and flexibility as we work together to support children, students, families, educators and each other throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.    

Heartland AEA COVID-19 Dashboard

Here's Your Annual Eligibility Notice for 403(b)/457 Retirement Plans

Heartland AEA offers employees the opportunity to voluntarily save for retirement by participating in the Iowa Department of Administrative Services’ Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC) 403(b) and/or 457 plans. You are eligible to participate in these plans whether or not you are actively contributing to them. 

Highlights of the RIC plans: 

• The minimum contribution is $12.50 per pay period. 
• You have the option of pre-tax contributions (before state and federal income taxes are computed) and/or post-tax Roth contributions. You should work with your financial advisor to determine what is best for your retirement planning. 
• The Agency does not offer matching funds, but it is still very beneficial for you to start saving for retirement, even if you are only able to start with a small amount. 
• For 2021, the maximum amount you may contribute per year is 100% of your compensation up to $19,500. Also, if you are age 50 or older, you may contribute an additional $6,500. In some cases, you may also be able to make additional catch-up contributions. A calculation is required to determine if you’re eligible for this special provision. 

Basic steps to start participating in the RIC plans: 

• Create an account with one of the plan investment providers. 
• Make your investment election (how you want your money invested). 
• Complete Heartland AEA’s Election Form to begin your payroll deduction. Election forms can be found on Employee Online > Menu > Payroll Information > Retirement. 

To learn more about these plans, visit the RIC’s 403(b) webpage and the RIC’s 457 webpage. Use the left-hand navigation section to find out more information on these plans. 

This Notice is not intended as tax or legal advice. You are encouraged to contact your financial advisor or tax professional with any tax or legal questions. If you have any questions about participating in these retirement plans, contact Steve Jordan, Senior Payroll Specialist.

March 2021 School Leader Update Available

The March 2021 School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education is available. Inside you’ll find: 

• Unlocking new possibilities
• Iowa’s Therapeutic Classroom Grant is now open
• Iowa Military Compact
• Celebrate Purple Up Day on April 15
• Webinar: New Food Code – How does it impact school nutrition?
• National School Breakfast Week March 8-12
• Spring into myIGDIs Early Literacy Assessment
• Register now for Iowa College and Career Readiness Academy March session

March 2021 Board of Directors Meeting Agenda Available

The agenda for the March 9, 2021, Heartland AEA Board of Directors meeting is available.

Automated Zoom Updating Coming to Your Computer This Week

In an ongoing effort to keep our agency software up-to-date, the Internal Technology Department will begin automated updating of the Zoom application on your agency computer starting this week. Zoom regularly releases newer versions of its application to fix bugs and address security issues. 

Beginning March 9, 2021, Casper will begin offering updates to your Zoom app. If your Zoom application isn’t running and an update is needed, Casper will automatically install the update in the background without any notification.  If you have the application open, Casper will notify you there is an update. If it’s not convenient to do the update at the time of the notification, click the Cancel button, and Casper will remind you another time. You can see a video of that process here. If it’s a convenient time, quit Zoom and click the OK button. The update will be applied, and you will be notified when the update is complete. You can see a video of that process here. Don’t close your lid or interrupt the process by powering off your computer during the update.  

You may be wondering, can I just update the Zoom app myself? 

Yes, you can. You can still update the zoom.us app when it’s convenient for you through Self Service or by using the app’s built-in update capability under the zoom.us menu > Check for Updates. You will only see a Zoom update listed in Self Service if you don’t already have the latest version. 

If you have any questions about updating Zoom, contact Mike Permann in the Internal Technology Department.

Have You Updated Your AntiVirus Software Yet? Time is Running Out!

If you haven’t updated your Symantec AntiVirus software yet, time is running out! If you haven’t completed the update by the end of the day tomorrow, the update will automatically be installed on your computer on March 10 shortly after you turn on your computer. Don’t get caught having the installation take place during a big presentation or meeting -- do your update pronto!   

Link to the Previous Article on How to Update your AntiVirus 

Tech Tip: With Spring Break Coming Up, a Reminder on How to Set an Out-of-Office Message on Your Zoom Phone

Learn how to record custom messages for when you’re out of the office due to vacation, illness, etc.