Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency s1

Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency Regular Monthly Board Meeting Wednesday, November 19, 2014 • 5:30 pm Des Moines, IA

President Dean Saunders called the regular meeting of the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency Board of Directors to order at 5:33 pm. The following board members were present: Gary Astor, Steve Jimmerson, Todd Lundgren, Rick Morain, and Dean Saunders. Pat Brown and Sue Brown joined via conference call. M Dowd joined via web conferencing.

Board approval was given to the agenda as presented by Chief Administrator Jeff Herzberg.

On a motion by Gary Astor, seconded by Steve Jimmerson, board approval was given to the minutes of the October 20, 2014, Regular Board Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

On a motion by Rick Morain, seconded by Steve Jimmerson, board approval was given to the bills as presented. Motion carried unanimously. The cash flow report was reviewed by M. Dowd.

Mike Schmidt, Network Administrator, and Scott Fosseen, Systems Administrator, shared information via Zoom on technology services provided to local school districts and to PLAEA.

Herzberg informed the board of the resignation of classified staff member Amber Arnold, Educational Paraprofessional, effective November 10, 2014 and the hiring of Christy Mart (replacement for LPS) and Mindy Dooley (addition for LPS), both Educational Paraprofessionals, North Region, Lakes Partnership School, Class B, Step 13, $14.69/hr, 122 days remaining of 256 day contract year, December 1 start date. Todd Lundgren left the meeting at 6:10 pm.

On a motion by Steve Jimmerson, seconded by Rick Morain, the board approved the shared STEM Position Project Agreement with Iowa State University. Lynn Campbell will provide STEM leadership and expertise to PLAEA. PLAEA will reimburse ISU for .25 FTE and travel, not to exceed $24,786. Motion carried unanimously.

Recognition of Excellence:  Jennifer Prentice, Academic Strategist is being recognized by an area principal – “It isn't often that I think someone goes so far above and beyond in their job. Jennifer Prentice is a one in a million in being helpful in solving a problem. Her – ‘we will get this solved and ‘I won't leave you hanging until we get this accomplished’ is the attitude so needed today.”

Connecting with the board literacy goal, Herzberg reviewed the IA Reading Research Center meeting, facilitated by Michelle Hosp, Exec Director of IA Reading Research Center and Barb Ohlund, DE, in Storm Lake this past week. More leadership and guidance is needed. All districts have early literacy money. PLAEA’s literacy consultant team will identify good literacy components at the January Principal meeting.

Herzberg reviewed data gathered during office visits he conducted.

As part of legislative advocacy, legislators will be invited to board meetings and Superintendents’ meetings. It is important that discussions with them are held prior to them going into session. The final purchase agreement has been signed for the Jefferson office and we are in the process of obtaining an environmental assessment of the building prior to the official closing.

Upcoming Staff Presentation Schedules include:  December 15 – no staff presentation; Holiday Dinner  January 19, 2015 – Transition Dept.  February 16, 2015 – Summer Reading Program  March 16, 2015 – Print & Production Dept.  April 20, 2015 – PEC program

Upcoming Dates  AESA (San Diego) – December 3-6  February 13, 2015 – All Staff, BVU  IASB District Meetings – Jan. 13-Sheldon; Jan. 15-Carroll; Jan. 21-Algona  Joint PLAEA, Green Hills, and NWAEA Legislative Supt. retreat, Feb. 4-5, 2015-Des Moines  AEA Board of Director’s Conference – April 15 & 16, 2015-Des Moines

The December board meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 15, 2014, at 4:00 pm, Storm Lake PLAEA office.

There being no further business the board adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Board President Board Secretary