Corrections From Last Week’s Issue

• MaryAnn Squires’ birthday is not August 26, it is November 9
• New employees:
- Katie Clark, speech-language pathologist in the Johnston office, not Guthrie Center office
- Teresa Anselme, not Ansleme
- Kimberly Pineda, speech-language pathologist in an office to be determined, not the Guthrie Center office
- Beth Soellner, speech-language pathologist assistant, not speech-language pathologist

Technology Update

Update – 4D Client Version
Attention all Universal Registration and PeopleBox 4D Client users! Last Thursday, July 16, 2009, we upgraded our version of 4D Server for Universal Registration and PeopleBox to the latest and greatest of the 2004 series, 2004.8. This version has numerous bug fixes and is purportedly more stable than the previous version. We had done some testing using the version of 4D Client that most of you have, 2004.7r3 and not found any issues. However, it seems there are a few cases where this version of 4D Client does not play well with the new 4D Server version. Tech Support would like to advise you that if you are experiencing issues with Universal Registration or the 4D Client access to PeopleBox (not PeopleBox online), you should update your version of 4D Client. To do this, please call Barb Dietrich (ext. 14618) or Mike Permann (ext. 14767), and they will assist you in loading 4D Client version 2004.8 onto your computer.

Staff Space

New Employees
Teresa Ansleme (Special Education Consultant/WO)
Libby Blazevich (School Social Worker/AD)
Rebecca Briggs (School Psychologist/IN)
Julie Brightman (Audiometrist/IN)
Katie Clark (Speech-Language Pathologist/GC)
Meghan Kluver (School Psychologist/WO)
Jodi LaChance (School Psychologist/AM)
Rae Jean Lepird (Speech-Language Pathologist/CA)
Eileen Maple (Speech-Language Pathologist/NE)
Susan Menke (Speech-Language Pathologist)
Alissa Mullikin (Speech-Language Pathologist/GC)
Kimberly Pineda (Speech-Language Pathologist/GC)
Megan Riesselman (Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant/CA)
Susan Sandor (Speech-Language Pathologist/IN)
Diane Schnelker (Assessment Consultant/JO)
Karla Socarras (Speech-Language Pathologist/JO)
Beth Soellner (Speech-Language Pathologist/GC)
Lauren Tornatore (School Psychologist/AM)
Rachel Wakefield (Speech-Language Pathologist/CA)
Courtney Wheeler (School Psychologist/CA)
Kimberly Zawacki (School Psychologist/WO)

Position Changes
Angela Bosworth to Regional Secretary from Secretary
Stacey Haskins to Library Clerk from Early ACCESS Family Support Coordinator Anne Manahl to Special Education Program Assistant from School Psychologist
Bess Wood to Special Education Program Assistant/AD from School Psychologist/WO

Name Changes
Abby Conrad from Abby Recker

August Birthdays
1 Kim Thuente
2 Bryce Chidester
2 Marilyn Goertel-Breen
2 Andrea Richmond
4 Linda Moehring
5 Barb Guthrie
5 Megan Kluver
6 Diane Niederhauser
6 Sarah Weider
7 Jennifer Etnyre
9 Jennifer Gilmore
10 Jean Vesely
11 Kristi Allison
11 Candice Gravett
11 Thanh Le
12 Martea Engelson
12 Jodi Hart
13 Teri Hazen
13 Hope Johnson
14 Brenda Fisher
14 Carla Grasty
14 Patty Shelton
15 Bob Brown
15 Carol Kuhn
15 Amy Zirkelbach
17 Jill Miller
17 Brenda Pierce
17 Rhonda Weiss
18 Cindi Ballard
18 Kris Larsen
18 Jennifer Riedemann
21 Shannon Harken
21 Linda McAtee
22 Sheri Haupert
22 Liz Uhl
23 Lisa Lumbard
23 Sue York
24 Jessica Pottebaum
24 Jenny Sumner
25 Vicki Sanders
25 Anita Westerhaus
26 Kathy Clubb
26 Karen Johnson
26 Stephaney Jones-Vo
26 Mary Ann Squires
27 Tim Blakeslee
27 Sandy Darveau
27 Linda Wegner
28 Kristin Orton
29 Shelley Smith
30 Lesley Stucker
31 Sharon Kurns

Births
Congratulations to Victoria Messerli (Regional Secretary/NE) on the birth of her granddaughter, Bailey Rose. Bailey was born June 28 and weighed 7 lbs. 4 oz. and was 20 1/4 inches long. Her proud parents are Skye and Marcy Messerli of Ankeny. She was welcomed home by Gage and Bella, who are happy to have a new baby sister.

Update from the Heartland Iowa Core Curriculum Team

The Core Curriculum team has received inquiries about how an Iowa Core Curriculum Leadership Team might build capacity in the Iowa Core Curriculum once the 2009-2010 school begins. The July issue of School Leader Update from the Iowa Department of Education contained the following information:

“Leadership Teams are very motivated to undertake the important work of implementing the Iowa Core Curriculum. Before extensive improvement efforts are launched, it is critical that Leadership Team members take time to carefully determine what actions are needed.

During the first semester of next year, Leadership Teams should focus their efforts to design and implement the Iowa Core Curriculum by:
• Engaging all teachers in thoroughly exploring the Essential Concepts and Skills
• Gathering and analyzing data to complete the Iowa Core Curriculum Self Study
• Participating in thoughtful dialogue and planning for all six outcomes of the Implementation Plan
• Informing all teachers and administrators about the implementation planning process
• Developing and sharing the district’s vision about the Core with community members
• Supporting existing professional development that focuses on student learning
• Ensuring that teachers have the time to learn and apply the priority professional development

During the second semester, Leadership Teams should work on:
• Orienting staff to alignment processes (The Iowa Core Curriculum Network will be leading this work.)
• Gathering information regarding alignment data and working with the necessary tools
• Planning how to improve alignment based on analysis of data collected through this process

For more information or questions, please contact Rita Martens, Iowa Department of Education, at (515) 281-3145 or rita.martens@iowa.gov.”

If you have questions, you can also contact Heartland’s Linda Biermann Hoobin, Iowa Core Curriculum Consultant, at ext. 14327 or at lhoobin@aea11.k12.ia.us.

Assistant Director for Early Childhood/Early ACCESS Position Restored

Dr. Jerry Gruba to Return to Heartland

Last February, the looming economic situation led to a reduction-in-force within Heartland AEA 11. Soon following the Agency’s decision was the announcement of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Both of these actions led the District Services Council (DSC) to review and identify critical gaps in our ability to complete work within the area of teaching and learning.

One area of the Agency that was negatively affected by the Agency reductions was Early Childhood/Early ACCESS. The large scope of functions needed in this area indicated a critical need for a management position to provide budget oversight, decision-making, early childhood expertise and supervision to certified staff.

The recommendation to restore the Assistant Director for Early Childhood/Early ACCESS position was supported by the leadership of our Board of Directors. The position was offered and accepted by Dr. Jerry Gruba. Heartland AEA 11 is fortunate to once again have the experience and knowledge that Dr. Gruba can provide for the Early Childhood/Early ACCESS program.

Modifications Made to the ExpenseOnline System

Beginning today (July 13), a few modifications have been made to the ExpenseOnline system. These modifications include the following:

• You no longer need to enter a report date when creating your claim. The management of this date will be handled behind the scenes.
• The “Comments” field on the claim is now named “Assigned Office.” You are expected to enter your assigned office in this field.
• The order of the data entry fields on the detail screen has been rearranged. The order is now: Date, Description, Quantity, Amount, Account Code and Account Type.
• The Submitted Expense Reports page will now list claims up to 18 months old.
• A legend has been added to the Submitted Expense Reports page that lists the different statuses a claim can have.
They are the following:

- EN – Open
- AP – Submitted for Approval (Waiting approval by approver)
- RV – In Review (Approved by approver, waiting approval by Business Office)
- RC – Review Complete (Approved by Business Office)
- DS – Distributed/Paid
- OH – On Hold – (Business office waiting for additional information)

The help documentation available on the “Help” tab of your IFAS Dashboard includes these modifications and detailed instructions for use of the system. The intention of these modifications is to improve the functionality of the ExpenseOnline system and make it easier to use. If you have any questions, problems or concerns, please contact Rod Howell at rhowell@aea11.k12.ia.us or at ext. 14599.

Updates from the Payroll Office: IPERS, TQ Compensation & TQ Mentor Pay

IPERS (Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System)
Effective July 1, 2009, the IPERS contribution rates for employees and employers will increase as mandated by law. For employees, the rate increases from 4.1% to 4.3%, and for employers, the rate increases from 6.35% to 6.65%. This change will be reflected starting with your July 15th paycheck. The rate change will increase employee contributions by $2 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages, and the employer’s contribution will increase by $3 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages. Please contact Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Jami Johnson at ext. 14311 if you have any questions.

Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund Monies
Certified staff members receive Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies as part of their paychecks from October to June. As a reminder, the final 2008-09 fiscal year payment of Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies occurred with the June 30th paychecks. Per the comprehensive agreement, payment of these monies for the 2009-10 fiscal year will begin with your October 15th paychecks. Please note, the Teacher Quality Compensation Fund is not to be confused with the Teacher Quality Professional Development program that certified staff members are participating in and receive payment for over the summer months. More information about Teacher Quality Mentor pay will follow in the paragraph below. Please contact Steve Jordan or Jami Johnson if you have questions.

Teacher Quality Mentor Pay
Questions have arisen regarding pay for mentors for first and second year certified staff members. The breakdown for mentor pay is as follows: The AEA received $1,000 dollars per eligible staff member (to pay mentors). Out of the $1,000 allotted to the AEA, $877 was used for salary, $56 (6.35%) was for the employer’s portion of IPERS and $67 was used for the employer’s portion of FICA and Medicare (7.65%). The employer’s share of IPERS, FICA and Medicare are allowable expense for Teacher Quality funding. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Sarah Brown, Program Assistant for Internal Professional Development at sbrown@aea11.k12.ia.us or at ext. 14380.

IRS Rule for Flex Debit Card Users

An IRS mandate that became effective July 1, 2009, may impact some Flex Debit Card users. The rule applies to all drug stores and pharmacies.

In order to accept Flex Debit Cards after June 30, 2009, the new rule requires these retailers to install the Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) or show proof that 90% of the store’s gross receipts during the prior year consisted of prescriptions or qualified over-the-counter health care products.

Many merchants, including large retail chains like Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target, CVS and K-Mart, have already installed the Inventory Information Approval System. This system codes all flex plan eligible expenses allowing automatic substantiation of debit card purchases. Those merchants are not affected by the July 1 deadline. Neither are doctors, dentists or eyewear providers that will still be able to accept the debit card, but where participants may still need to substantiate expenses.

What the rule means is that some drug stores and pharmacies that have been able to accept Flex Debit Cards until June 30 will not be allowed to accept them after that date. Participants shopping at those locations should double check with the retailer to be certain the Flex Debit Card will be accepted after July 1.

If you have questions about your particular situation, please contact Kabel Business Services at (515) 224-9400 or (800) 300-9691.