2Board of Directors Orientation 2021

Welcome to the Central Rivers Area Education Agency Board of Directors! Your willingness to volunteer to serve on this important board in service to the children, families and educators of our area is genuinely appreciated. This booklet is designed to provide you with basic information about the agency, our mission and purpose, those we serve, and the overall work of the Iowa AEA system. Your important role A nine-member Board of Directors representing every school district that the agency serves governs Central Rivers AEA. The board represents the legal body that establishes educational policies and sets goals and objectives for the agency. These policies and goals are carried out by the chief administrator and staff under the board’s direction. Terms are for four years and overlap to ensure continuity of board leadership. AEA board members receive no pay for their public service. The role of the Central Rivers AEA Board of Directors Some of the main roles of the board are to: 1. Hire, oversee and evaluate the chief administrator. 2. Set policies which are regularly reviewed against changes in the law and to ensure ongoing effectiveness. 3. Establish a mission to direct policies and work. 4. Act as the intermediary when there is a breakdown between staff and administration (usually in the case of a termination), administration and students, or between LEA’s (local school districts) as is the case in a merger or transportation issue. 5. Oversee the budget including the approving of bills, establishment of salaries, and approving capital improvements. The board does not manage day-to-day operations or determine programming. Unless policies are violated or programming fails to meet the mission, questions, concerns or suggestions about day-to-day operations, staffing, programming or other management decisions 2 should be addressed to the appropriate Central Rivers AEA administrator.

LEEXAEDCEURTSIHVIEP EDSUECRAVTIICOENSAML ulti-TieOversightofvision,board geRcneupegrrroriioafcenluseamlsudliamAuotndc,hamaa,tlsEiilosnLeeniLass,,rtslnrmiatineteorgnar,tsc,,y, red System of Supports Chief Administrator Future Ready The Chief Administrator is the standing of SDI within Deeper Learning and community relations, Jen Sigrist, chief executive officer of the the Guiding Principles. agency operations, Executive Director of board, but does not vote. It is his/ res of the SDI accountability Educational Services her responsibility to advise board EA districts will be fully Physical & occupational members on all matters, to execute BOARD OF SPECIALSam Miller, policies and decisions made by the wledge and skills needed Chief Administrator board, and to operate the agency to ehavioral, and mental the maximum of its potential. sed attendance rates, DIRECTORS EDUCATIONVision, policy, oversight, guidance Board meetings -social behaviors, coping Roberta Kraft-Abrahamson, Regular meetings are traditionally ulnerability). Dr Debra Rich, Kathy Enslin, held on the first Wednesday of every e retention. Dr Darshini Jayawardena, month in the Central Rivers AEA Dr. Mary Stevens, Maureen Hanson, Cedar Falls campus Board Room. ing increases in The meeting location occasionally wledge, skills and Dr Tony Reid, Bryan Burton, rotates to other venues. Meetings he digital world. are traditionally held at 5 p.m. and erships that connect CHILDREN,Dennis Craun are open to the public. scchhioaldouAhldpomisooyldytoch,hgKweoynr,olaoucrpgokpyyne,p,sxssu,cpplhEeteoxareioencelhtcnssuclo,aettcn,eiiavigatleumiwnaDeorgerirearpkenp,s,ctaetthhoaeorrallyroignyg, of Special Education CRCEOAMTIMVEUNSEICRAVTIICOENS &ppruibnVltiiBicdneergSteo,ehlcarpSovtrtiimoocrdienpkussuec,&,ttaeDiCgoriorenpmen,rcocgmtygroaurcrapnoomhmifcimaCcmrtdieiunoeangnstii,iscgvsanecth,ioonosl FAMILIES & HUMAN EDUCATORS RESOURCES CENTRAL RIVERS Employee relations, benefits, AREA EDUCATION AGENCY contracts, culture/climate Karl Kurt, Assistant Chief Administrator/Director of Human Resources LIBRARY MEDIA BUSINESS OFFICE RESOURCES Instructional & digital learning Accounts receivable/payable, resources, tech integration, INFORMATION budget, employee portal and van delivery services. TECHNOLOGY Michael Kalvig, Cari Teske, Chief Financial Officer Director of Media Tech support, hardware, software, Internet, security, and shelter programs. Sarah Nelson, Director Special EducationofI.T.andSpecialPrograms A quorum of board members must be present for a regular meeting to take place. All actions authorized or required by law are taken in open meetings. State law allows the board to consider matters of personnel and building site acquisition in closed session and then vote on them in open session. Members of the general public with an interest in addressing the board may do so during the reports section of the 3 agenda. Interested parties must sign in and share their discussion topic with the board secretary. A speaker may be subject to a time limit when addressing the board. Please contact the Chief Administrator to share concerns or suggestions in a deeper dialogue format.

About Central Rivers AEA Central Rivers Area Education Agency supports educators, parents, and the communities we serve as we work together toward one ultimate goal--to improve student learning. Central Rivers AEA provides support in the areas of quality instructional materials, curriculum planning, best practices in teaching and learning, safe and caring learning environment, appropriate educational opportunities for all learners, technology planning, professional learning, assessment, special education, leadership development, and more. What is an AEA? Central Rivers Area Education Agency is one of nine Area Education Agencies created in 1974 by the Iowa legislature to ensure equal educational opportunities for all children from birth through age 21. Support to local schools is provided through three service areas: Educational Services, Information & Technology and Special Education. Area Education Agencies are funded from federal-aid and state-aid payments; legislatively controlled property tax; federal, state and private grants; and tuition for classes. In addition to the main office in Cedar Falls, the agency also has main offices in Marshalltown and Clear Lake as well as two special education sector offices located throughout the served area. Services are organized around four “sectors” comprised of an approximate equal number of students in each. In addition, Central Rivers AEA provides contracted instructional programming for 4 River Hills School in Cedar Falls, which serve unique populations of students.

Who does Central Rivers AEA Serve? We serve over 66,000 students including 53 public school districts and 17 non-public school districts. In addition, nearly 5,000 educators rely on Central Rivers AEA for services in special education, school technology, media and instructional/curriculum support. The agency’s service area reaches 18 counties and nearly 9,000 square miles. Central Rivers AEA leadership team The agency is led by an Administrative Cabinet, directed by the Chief Administrator. Members represent the heads of each of the three service areas divisions of the agency--Special Education, Educational Services and Information Technology--as well as the functional areas of finance, human resources, comprehensive improvement, and communication. 5

then it will result in students whose AEA and district staff demonstrate an understanding of Local schools and AEA staff will have the knowledge and • SBAuEuApil•pdsotiarnAFftrtEfaS.eAmDrnaIenaswlditocedarskipswaitnrciiicttththysienotiarfofdfouadurierlymwoonrskt.rateLearner engagement and ownership of learninganunderstandin•gofAaSnEDAMIawTnSidtShdFinirsaatmrniceMtwsTotSarSfkfdemonstrate an unders academic skills and social emotional SDI within an MTSS Framework in their daily work. skills needed to support learners with social, emotional, • increases in classrooms. in their daily work. well-being provide them with the AEA and district staff demonstrate belief in the Guiding • Buildinternalcapacityof ourAEAstaff. behavioral, and mental health concerns. Districts use common language around knowledge, • AEA and district staff demonstrate belief in t Principles. Learners will have positive outcomes (increased skills and dispositions of the future ready learner. foundation to be future ready. AEA and district staff apply the critical features of the • SupportSDIsiteswithinouragency. attendance rates, higher grades, positive school Learners are confident, curious explorers of the digital SDI Framework in their daily work. behaviors, pro-social behaviors, coping skills, decreased world. Long-term outcome: By May 2023, all CRAEA districts • WDhevye:lop the AEA infrastructure necessary to sustain restraints and seclusions). Learners regularly experience genuine partnerships will be fully implementing SDI in an MTSS framework. Toimepnlesmureentsauticocne. ss for all Increase anabolic energy (i.e. courage and vulnerability). that connect learning in/to an ever-changing world. Improve CRAEA job satisfaction and employee retention. • aDngeeecv••enesclsoyAAap.rEEytAAhtaaeonnAsdduEddsAtiiassinttirrnfiirccattssstttraauffffctdauperpmelyonthsetractreitibcaellifeefaitnurtehseoGfuthi••deinSgDFLAorPIEanFrAmirgnaa-ecmntiwepderolmwedrskios.oritkunritictcnthosetmhtiareefdif:raaBipylypMlwyaotyhrk2e.0c2ri3ti,caalllfCeRatAuEr learners in an MTSS framework. Develop and retain high-value relationships. implemdaeinlytawtioornk.. implementing SDI in an MTSS framework. • • Long-termoutcome:ByMay2023,allCRAEAdistrictswillbefully • implementing SDI in an MTSS framework. and if we support schools in • • • integrating specially designed • • • instruction (SDI) throughout • • • • • all tiers, • Scalethecomponentsof aneffective,tieredMTSSsystem • Scale the components of an effective, • StPtclEFdehilascrieiasoetacmratrivlernlcebaiiidodtcilttnaimte••••eMhsstgheecppfTotoohjSacoLwILIsumromnnnSaceosillmhcseactmootsparheaor-ncynegpirnsiloanstosatgeoessttlloo-vs-enecntrsborecfeishmecacemifeiayaohC.nwmnhtl-neoowRhg,wtiapslaloeAeeplisvilbtlmodEhierhssMaooofAemaunotrllfaTvhipsoecjdtceSnoe,iuapcsonSApebastlpeonttniErlssfuaorsooafAesuytatsern-l.csirpe,stiscohagttiob/pttseinloyaivcfeomvaoefi(thfaerciolt..oal,swtsei.vbuo.iiletcnolchorhoaauamanlvr,vadieaeogsnerteshd(m,iaencmpncokldreponenyivoanetuswageelllndesrheekdearitgaltealteblsnet,ihtnaldiinodtceyndaoc)n.nr.secck••••aeeilsrlrensadstne.sthIhLILrenmoskeoeiee,gcsiacsadhplrtahrlurleeirsnagtleodpa,hiehsrnvsdptcercteoegehsosrorscraogCwanautrnnroRedcipaldlaleeaAedplsbrasseEsohnaeeor,sArannsct,dplvli.peljducoeoerorsaesAebssiprisoinEtnwtsotniiAeervvassiarreett)issgih.itntsisyavfstcafes(ohficca.oowteiinouao.idllltcnl,cbosehoaeuemamnhrcvadloaeeugvtsesiteiomih(ooianrennpsnack,sldlrop,)ne.ybvroaoeueswe- Build internal capacity of with local schools. tiered MTSS system with local schools. • Support teachers in being our AEA staff. an activator of learning. Support SDI sites within • WtFhahacitylist:uaptTepojouerstnst-tisnhu-etricmeomethpparootnfeeasnlsltisoleonfaatlrhlneeaeMrrnsTiSn’Sgssotyo-sltoecmal. schools • Facilitate just-in-time professional • Facilitate district creation our agency. • ciParol,viedme pohtaiosensaolf,ibmephleamveiontraatilo,natnoddimstreicntstafolr long-range learning to local schools that supports the • of a Portrait of a Graduate. Develop the AEA hseuaplpthortn.eeds are met. components of the MTSS system. Embed the Universal infrastructure • ToEsetanbsliushreanthagaetnacyll-wsitdaefcfualtruereb/crliamvaete committee. Constructs into teaching necessary to sustain• alenaUacdttdiiloibezneresplcoulwanlntuhgsr.oienidgna.staptioredeavefleoeplaingegnocyfatnrdusretgion-specific • Provide phases of implementation to and learning. implementation. districts for long-range support. Engage all learners in authentic community • Establish an agency-wide culture/climate experiences. committee. • aUntidlizree•gciuolnDtu-esrpveeedlcoaifptiacatanocdtdiroeenvteaplinolaphnaisg.ghe-nvcaylue relationships. • Develop and retain high-value relationships. • • Utilize culture data to develop agency and • • region-specific action plans. • • • • If we build the capacity of schools Why: • Sup•porLtetaernaecrheenrgsaignebmeeinntganadnownership of learning increase•s in cLleaassrrnoeomr esn. gagement and ownership of learni to implement a multi-tiered • Supportteachersinbeinganactivatoroflearning. Why: To ensure that all learners’ FEiaEPnacnmottcrgoiibtv••lariteaagtetdaieaotDrLteecteroiahahsaofldtdrelirnfanyiilceUslegltGetresansraaraiuriaarcrnnvsnrndteeeedeicurrnrccr.slasooegeamtniaa.elnfitmr.Cidnaoooeiunnnnnttgsohl,atc.fenruuangrciutoitacusgseeaxrpoluornedrskonfotwhleeddgigei,taskl iwll•••osraldn.dLDcdLdleeiiasisaassptrrpsrnnooircoeesstiirrosttssiimouoarnenssrseeg.soucocfooltfahmntrehflmyifeduetoefuuxnnrptetule,arcrneiuegrrnieuocaauedgsgyeeelaxenrpaoulruionnnreeedrr.pskanorfotntwhe system of supports (MTSS), • WToFahecinylist:autereditshtriactt carellatlieoanronfearPsoratrraeitaodf aa pGtraadbulaete.To ensure success for all • Why: • anEmdbceodntthreibUunitvertsoalaCognlsotrbuactlscinotmo tmeauchniintgya.nd learning.learners in an MTSS framework.social, emotional, behavioral, and • • Engagealllearnersinauthenticcommunityexperiences. mental health needs are met. • To ensure that all learners are To ensure that all staff are brave adaptable and contribute to a leaders who inspire a feeling of global community. trust and belonging. com•muLenairtnyeersxpreegruielanrlcyeesx.perience genuine partnerships that connleecatrlneainrnginign/into/toananever-changing world. ever-changing world. Employee information: Certified staff..................... 372 Non-union support staff....... 37 6 Classified staff..................... 97 Administration...................... 25

State and national context Central Rivers AEA is one of nine Area Education Agencies--or AEAs- -in the state of Iowa. Each of the nine AEAs work closely together to accomplish system-wide goals and ensure continuity of services so that every student in every school district receives access to the same high quality resources and supports. Iowa’s AEA system is unique in the country and often heralded as the premier intermediate service system nationwide for its emphasis on equity, efficiencies and effectiveness. INspired Leadership Central Rivers AEA has invested heavily in training and coaching for staff and board around a model called INspired Leadership. INspired Leadership invites and expects everyone in the organization to “own” their own “energy” (behavior and intentions) and work toward operating at a level that contributes to the overall health of the agency. “We all win or no one wins.” Greater exposure to the model will be provided for all new board members in order to ensure continuity of the initiative. 7

75 Equity Statement Central Rivers Area Education Agency (AEA) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, marital status, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background or disability in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices as required by all applicable Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action laws, directives, and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies and agencies. Students, parents of students, applicants for employment and employees of Central Rivers AEA shall have the right to file a formal complaint alleging non- compliance with federal and state regulations requiring nondiscrimination in educational programs and employment. Inquiries concerning application of this statement should be addressed to: Karl Kurt, Equity Coordinator, Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Pkwy, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, Telephone: 800-542- 8375.