Friday, December 1, 2017

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

HAA Meeting on Dec. 5 is Cancelled, Learning Session with Peter DeWitt Goes Ahead as Scheduled

The Dec. 5 Heartland Administrators' Association (HAA) meeting from Noon - 1 p.m. via Zoom is CANCELLED. The next regularly scheduled HAA meeting will be held on Jan. 9. 

**The training with Peter DeWitt on Dec. 5 will be held as scheduled.**

Partnership updates will be posted to the HAA Google site.

You’re Invited to Participate in a Short Professional Development Survey

As districts begin to develop their calendars for the 2018 - 2019 school year, Heartland AEA has been asked by Rob Cordes, Carroll CSD Superintendent, to survey district superintendents on the number of times districts hold professional development during the school day (i.e. weekly, twice a month, etc.). In addition, he would like to know the length of professional development sessions, when districts hold professional development (day of the week, late starts, early dismissals), and the focus of the district's professional development plans. Please complete the very short survey by Dec. 8 in order for accurate data to be collected and shared with superintendents at a later date. Link to survey here

Is Your District Registered for the Special Workshop on Crisis Communication and Emergency Management in Jan. 2018?

The Jan. 9, 2018 meeting of the Heartland Administrators’ Association (HAA) will not be a typical monthly meeting. Instead, Heartland AEA is bringing in Rick Kaufman, a nationally recognized crisis management consultant and trainer, to lead a workshop on Crisis Communication & Emergency Management.

Check this document to see if your district is registered. There is still time to register if you don’t see your district listed. The deadline is Dec. 15.

Who should attend? Superintendents, principals, district communications specialists or another representative from the district are all invited. Learn more about the workshop at this link and be sure to register!

Crisis Communication & Emergency Management Workshop
Jan. 9, 2018 Heartland Administrators' Association Meeting
9 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Dr, in Johnston

Register at this link

*There will not be a Zoom option for this meeting since it’s highly interactive.

Prepare Your District Budget During The ISFIS Budget Workshop

Each year, ISFIS partners with Piper Jaffray and Iowa's Area Education Agencies to provide face-to-face budget workshops for business managers and superintendents.

The ISFIS budget workshops at Heartland AEA are Jan. 29 and Feb. 19. Cost to attend is $250 per district. Register online.

These hands-on workshops are an opportunity for leaders from each district to prepare their individual budgets in one highly productive day. Workshop participants will receive information about:
  • The budget process, changes for the upcoming fiscal year, legislative update, and other items of general budget interest.
  • Unspent Authorized Budget details and strategies to fully utilize categorical resources.
  • A completed Certified Budget (once State Supplementary Assistance rate is set) and the strategies to set maximum certainty of the district’s property tax rate if SSA is not set by the publication deadline.
  • Data and tools related to the budget process.
  • District specific presentation based on the district’s certified budget file.
  • A District Specific 5-Year Financial Projection Plan including a Sample Working Line Item Budget Template.
  • Unlimited phone and email support about the Certified Budget.
  • Complimentary assistance if a district’s budget is appealed to the State Appeal Board.
For more information, contact Marissa Gaal at marissa@iowaschoolfinance.com or (515) 251-5970 ext. 4. Register online at this link.

Plan Now to Join the Conversation at the 2018 Legislative Education Advocacy Day

School administrators from across Iowa will come together in January to learn the most up-to-date legislative insight and meet with legislators face-to-face at the Capitol. The 2018 Legislative Advocacy Event sponsored by Iowa's Area Education Agencies will be held on Jan. 30-31. See the details below and be sure to register!

Legislative Update
Jan. 30, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Prairie Meadows Hotel

Legislative Visits
Jan. 31, 2018
7:30 - 9 a.m.
Iowa State Capitol

Registration is open until Jan. 23 at this link.

Dec. 2017 Each and Every Child Newsletter

The Dec. 2017 issue of the Each and Every Child Newsletter from the Iowa Department of Education is now available.