Friday, March 18, 2016

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

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

Newton Regional Office Moves to Newton DMACC Campus

Heartland AEA’s Newton Regional Office is moving! As of right now, the Newton office will begin moving March 18 and will re-open in its new home at the Newton DMACC campus on March 28.

The new address of the Newton Regional Office will be:

600 N. 2nd Avenue W.
Suite 259

Newton, IA 50208

Districts Are Asked to Begin 2016-17 Transportation Approval Process

Heartland AEA is beginning year two of the online Request for Transportation Approval process.

Chapter 285.9(3) of the Iowa Code requires the Area Education Agency Board of Directors to approve all bus routes outside the boundaries of the school district operating the buses. This has been interpreted to mean regular routes and regular special education routes, not bussing for field trips or activity trips. The Code requires you to request permission from neighboring district(s) before any bus routes cross district boundaries.

Last year the process was completed for the first time using an online submission process. Please review the instructions and timelines to complete the process for 2016-17, including the updated video tutorials.

Districts are asked to begin the process this month and to complete step III by April 30.

For more information, contact Jenny Ugolini at (515) 270-0405 ext. 14441.

The 2016 Iowa Summit Featuring Google for Edu is Announced!

The 1st Annual Iowa Summit featuring Google for Education will take place May 1, 2016 at Saydel High School in Des Moines. This two-day, high-intensity event with Google employees and world-class educational technology leaders focuses on deploying, integrating and using Google Apps for Education (and other Google tools) to promote student learning in K-12 and higher education. Come a day early for specialized pre-summit workshops!

Date: May 1, 2016
Location: Saydel High School, 5601 NE 7th St, Des Moines, IA

For more information and to register, visit ia.gafesummit.com. Group rates are available!

Join the Conversation at the Future Ready Iowa Summit in April

For every employer competing in the global economy, attracting and retaining top-notch talent is the most critical challenge they face. So how does Iowa create a workforce that’s prepared to take on the world? How do we assure that more students and workers have the career opportunities they deserve? The Governor’s 2016 Future Ready Iowa Summit presents ways to build on the work underway to close the skills gap.

In addition to superintendents Dan Cox, Paul Gausman and Dave Wilkerson discussing work-based learning, a number of students are serving on panels, and there is a student video contest.

Date: April 19, 2016
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Location: Hy-Vee Hall, Hall C, 730 Third Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Register by April 11

For more information on the Summit, visit Future Ready Iowa.

SAI Vice President Ballot Coming Soon

Each year, administrators on the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) Representative Council choose two nominees for the position of vice president from application forms submitted. The two nominees are voted on by SAI members in April. The vice president is elected by a majority vote of active SAI members, serves a four-year commitment as a member of the SAI Executive Committee, and then moves through the chairs. One of this year's nominees is Art Sathoff, superintendent at Indianola Community Schools, who submitted this letter and summary of experience.