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 is LAST Date to Turn in FY 2021 Expenses

Aug. 31 is the last date the Business Office will accept and process any claims for expenses occurring on or before June 30, 2021. 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. Check your ‘Rejected Expenses’ link to see if you have any expense claims requiring your attention and resubmit after appropriate changes are complete. 

If you have questions, contact Mary Heaberlin, Accounts Payable Specialist, or Brian Whalen, Business Manager.

Annual Communications Publications Updated on the Intranet

With the new school year comes updated agency publications and resources (listed below) for 2021-22, which are now available on the Intranet > Communications. 

If you have any questions about these publications, contact the Communications Department. 



Communications > Annual Publications 

• Regional Map w/ Regional Directors 
• Regional Director Assignments 
• Staff & Schools Directory (coming in September) 
• School Composite Calendar 
• Superintendent Directory 
• Van Route Schedule 
 

Communications > Resources 

• Agency Playbook 
• Agency Infographic 
• Agency Blueprint
• Planning Councils Structure & Membership Chart 

Reminder to Veteran Staff: Sick Leave Can Be Used for Preventive Exams & Vaccinations

Just a reminder that the sick leave policy was changed last winter to include preventive exams and vaccination appointments. From the Feb. 2021 Connection: 

In the past, sick leave was not allowed to be used for preventive exams or appointments; instead, OPL was the preferred leave category to be used. Going forward, the Agency will allow staff to use sick leave for preventive exams and appointments, including receiving vaccinations. New sick leave guidelines are below: 

Sick Leave (self) is available for personal illness or injury or for a medical appointment related to a chronic or ongoing condition as well as leave related to routine, preventive care such as a physical, vaccination, dental appointment or eye exam. Sick Leave (self) cannot be used to care for sick family members. A report from the staff member's physician is required for absences of five days or longer or upon the request of Human Resources or designee. 

As a reminder, when scheduling preventive exams and appointments, including vaccination appointments, please do your best to schedule outside of working hours (if and where providers are open after work hours). If you are unable to do so, you may request time off through the Leave Online system and use Sick Leave (self). 

If you have any questions, contact Nia Chiaramonte, Director of Human Resources.

Review Updated Guidance on Sharing Student Sensitive Information Via Digital Tools (Digital Privacy, Safety and Security)

Staff members need to efficiently share information about students with each other, parents and districts, and the use of digital tools supports such collaboration, innovation and communication.

The Agency has created the following guidelines to describe best practices for storing, securing and sharing data. These practices provide a reasonable balance between the security of data and convenience for agency staff. 

Updated guidance is linked below and is available on the Intranet > Technology > Digital Privacy, Safety & Security. 

Guidance for Sharing Student Sensitive Information via Digital Tools

Need an iPad App? Make Sure You Know the New Process for Requesting One

The process for requesting an app for agency iPads has changed. Please make sure you review the new process. The process can also be found on the Intranet > Technology > Apple Devices > iPad > iPad App Acquisition Process. 

Our interests include: 

• Getting the needed tools, supportive of evidence-based practice, into staff members' hands efficiently. 
• Supporting equitable access to tools among staff needing the tools. 
• Protecting student privacy and information. The digital security process is currently under construction. 

Process for Free Apps - All Staff 

• As a professional, consider if an app is aligned with standards of practice and current agency Digital Privacy, Safety and Security (DPSS) guidelines. 
• After individual consideration of these features, download the app if needed. 

Process to Purchase Apps - Certified Staff 

• Work with your Job-Alike Facilitator, who will work with the Job-Alike Leads to review your requested app. 
• JAFs and Leads will consider the request based on the features outlined above. The review process will include consideration of the scope of access recommended among the Job-Alike group. 
• JAFs or the assigned leader working with the JAFs will communicate the approved purchase request, including the names of those needing the app, to Judy Cleveland in the Internal Technology Department. 

Process to Purchase Apps - Classified Staff 

• Work with your supervisor (department or region), who will consider the request based on the features outlined above. The review process will include consideration of the scope of access recommended. 
• The supervisor will communicate the approved purchase request, including the names of those needing the app, to Judy Cleveland in the Internal Technology Department.

Reminder: You’ll Be Doing Your In-office Copying, Printing, Faxing and Scanning on New Equipment!

New Equipment Being Installed
The Internal Technology Department is excited to announce that the Agency recently signed a new agreement for leased copiers to replace the existing units in many of our locations. The rollout of these new copiers began in July and is expected to be completed in August. Office locations receiving new copiers include Adel, Ames, Carroll, Guthrie Center, Indianola, Johnston Administration Center, Johnston Regional Education Center, Knoxville, Newton and Northview Co-location. 

All locations will have a color-capable copy/print device with faxing and scanning capabilities. Once deployed, the devices will be available in Self Service so that you can add them to your computer. All the copiers will have labels on them to let you know the name of the device that you need to look for in Self Service to install it. 

Training

There will be training provided by the vendor in all office locations. You can find the schedule of staff training dates and start times by checking with the administrative assistant in your location. 

Frequently Asked Questions

You can find answers in this Frequently Asked Questions document.