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left3810Third Quarter Newsletter 2018-19IASBO Mission StatementThe Mission of the Iowa Association of School Business Officials is to provide programs and services that provide the highest standards of school business management practices and professional growth.left3028950Iowa ASBO 2018-2019 Fiscal Year OfficersPresident, Kevin Kelleher, Dubuque CSDPresident Elect, Denelle Gonnerman, Cedar Falls;Past President, Jan Miller-Hook, Johnston CSDSecretary, Mary Beth Fast, Urbandale CSDTreasurer, Kim Sheets, Fairfield CSDDistrict Directors, Brian Gubbels, Harlan CSD; Melissa Fettkether, Postville CSDExecutive Director Nancy Blow iowaasbo@ 319-931-1833Assistant Director Marsha Tangen iowaasboad@ 563-340-18200Iowa ASBO 2018-2019 Fiscal Year OfficersPresident, Kevin Kelleher, Dubuque CSDPresident Elect, Denelle Gonnerman, Cedar Falls;Past President, Jan Miller-Hook, Johnston CSDSecretary, Mary Beth Fast, Urbandale CSDTreasurer, Kim Sheets, Fairfield CSDDistrict Directors, Brian Gubbels, Harlan CSD; Melissa Fettkether, Postville CSDExecutive Director Nancy Blow iowaasbo@ 319-931-1833Assistant Director Marsha Tangen iowaasboad@ 563-340-1820A Message from the President………………4339590127000Happy 2019 Iowa ASBO members!8015605133350Welcome everyone to a snow filled and sub artic temperature start to 2019. Our District is up to 11 cancelled school days due to weather (at the time of this writing, 9 was the previous record) and the potential for more is high. Nothing like messing up a school calendar. At this rate, we will be in school until mid-June and that is even after extending the end of our school day by 25 minutes for the rest of the year. The local news shared a story that during the days of extreme cold, most of the towns in Alaska (including the ones close to the North Pole) were warmer than us here in Iowa. So much for global warming. The time of year is very busy one for all of us. We now know that State Supplemental Aid will be 2.06 % and thus we begin our work on our 2019/2020 Aid and Levy document and school budgets. This work will help set the levy rates, which is always an interest to our Boards and our citizens. Hopefully, we will soon know whether or not the 1 Cent Sales Tax provision will be extended. It is also time to begin meeting with our bargaining groups to discuss upcoming contracts. I have just returned from the ASBO Int’l Leadership Conference in San Diego, CA (yes I will do just about anything to get away from the snow and cold weather). Iowa had a good representation at this conference. The sessions were very informative and focused on providing the participants with additional tools to become better leaders and communicators. Better communication will increase your ability to lead others. One of the sessions emphasized the importance of being a good listener. This ability will help develop stronger relationships and will encourage the people around you to follow your lead.The IASBO Spring Conference and Annual Meeting will be here soon. The dates for this event are Wednesday, March 27, and Thursday, March 28 in Ames at our usual venue, the Scheman Center on the Iowa State University campus. This will be a great opportunity for professional development and this will be the first conference that was planned with the recommendations from the new IASBO Conference Planning Committee. If you see or know someone on the committee, please thank them for their work. The Spring Conference also includes the vendor show and track for Facility Directors. I encourage each of you to visit with our vendors and let them know how much you appreciate their participation. Kurt Subra will be again organizing the Fun Run/Walk event. Please keep in mind that Wednesday is wear your IASBO gear day and Thursday is wear your school spirit gear day.Finally, I am going to ask you once again to please consider becoming an ASBO International member if you are not one already. Your membership gets you additional sources of information, opportunities for professional development, and a great source of more network connections. Our very own Ed Chabal is running for Vice President on the ASBO International Board of Directors and elections will be held this fall. Ed came up only 14 votes short in last year’s election so we want to push him over the victory line this year. Last year showed how important each and every vote is. This has been a long journey for Ed and we need to help him achieve this prestigious opportunity. To help support Ed, the IASBO Board has approved to pay for 50 memberships for this year to the first 50 IASBO members who are currently not ASBO International members and $ 100 towards the renewal membership of all those who signed up for the first time last year. Reach out to Nancy for more information.See you in March, 53721025209500Kevin KelleherIASBO President 2018-2019ASBO INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPSIowa ASBO will be awarding 50 scholarships for membership in ASBO International for first time members. Please complete the application form and drop it in the box at the registration area at the IASBO Spring Conference. This is a great opportunity to experience all that ASBO International has to offer. The membership will also give you the opportunity to vote for Ed Chabal for Vice President in the September 2019 election.IASBO Spring Conference, Annual Meeting and Trade ShowMarch 27 and 28 IASBO people will gather at the Scheman Center in Ames for two days of Professional Development and Networking. Registration is available on the IASBO website until March 15. All sessions except the Cracker Barrels will be eligible for SBO Authorization Renewal Credit. Members are encouraged to invite their Facility Directors to the conference on Wednesday to participate in Facility related sessions. The Trade Show is also open to Facilities people in attendance. A special Facilities Director one day registration price of $50 is available on the IASBO website.Prior to the official opening of the conference, on Tuesday evening March 26th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm there will be a P Card session for all users. Holly Wallace from Illinois ASBO will be presenting Tips and Tricks of Spend Dynamics and of course, answer any questions you have. Information on registering for this session has been emailed to pCard users. Please email Nancy at iowaasbo@ to confirm your attendance. You may bring others from your district involved in the pCard processes. If you are considering the pCard program in your district and would like to attend email Nancy. Wednesday, March 27th7:30 am - Registration opens and breakfast items are available8:15 am - President Kevin Kelleher will open the conference. The annual meeting will include Board elections and a vote on the proposed bylaws change to the section on Board vacancies. The Professional Leadership Awards will be given. Retirees will be honored. Ed Chabal, candidate for ASBO President and Bill Sutter, a guest from Arizona ASBO will give an ASBO International update. Corporate Partners will be introduced. COE award winners will be recognized. 9:15 am – The first General session speaker, David Rendall, will present “The Freak Factor”. He will share how to obtain more happiness, fulfillment, and energy. He will also demonstrate how to dramatically improve your productivity and increase employee performance. Did you know your weaknesses are also your strengths? He will talk about creating outrageous personal and professional successes by amplifying flaws instead of denying them. 10:45 am - Following David’s presentation, attendees should visit vendors at the Trade Show. Booths will be open until 3:30 pm. Breakout Sessions and Crackerbarrels are staggered throughout the day so continue to visit vendors during your free time either at lunch or during the time between sessions. Drawings for the prizes won from vendors will be available after 2:00. Check back after that time to claim your prizes. After 3:30 prizes will be available at the registration desk.When is the last time you had your picture taken? Time for an update? LifeTouch will be available from 10:00 – 2:30 to take pictures for your profile page on the IASBO website. Please have your picture taken!!!!! Pictures on the website are very helpful for new members.2842260207010000A grab and go box lunch will be available between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Wednesday breakout sessions include: 10:45 am - Identify and Manage Risk in Your Transportation Operation with Marcus Henthorn and Tim Ammon from IPSIP. The presentation will address five critical areas to create stronger communication opportunities for Iowa School Administrators regarding transportation, with a deep dive into Management and Staffing, Consulting, Fleet Management, Technology and Training. 11:00 am - The Freak Factory with David Rendall continued from the General Session. The Freak Factory: Making Employees Better by Helping Them Get Worse - Most current management practices—trying to improve employee work habits, weaknesses, and attitudes—actually have a counterproductive effect. So how do you get more out of your employees? You start with their flaws —but don’t try to improve them. Instead, use them as clues for what they’d be best-suited for doing. David’s provocative and counter-intuitive talk will show you how to achieve peak performance—and create a positive, engaged workforce.11:00 am - Speed Learning. Karla Hogan and Sherry Luskey will share Efficiencies in the Business Office, presenting efficiencies they have implemented in several districts over the years. They are continuously looking for process improvement and collaboration with other departments for efficiency and use of updated technology. Visitor Check in Software with Christie VanWey - Keeping students and staff safe is priority. Districts have visitors, vendors, and volunteers in their student buildings every day. What can be done to ensure you know who is in your buildings? A visitor and volunteer background check management system can help you know who is in your building while giving your staff the resources for dealing with visitor/volunteer issues. Learn how to safely, efficiently and cost effectively manage your visitors and volunteers all in one system. Christen Howrey will demonstrate how to use Adobe Pro DC for saving time and having paperless employee files, contract and other documents. 11:00 am - RFPs and Bidding with Danielle Haindfield. This one-hour session will discuss the RFP procurement process and best practices related to issuing RFPs for professional and other services. This session will also outline the competitive bidding and competitive quotations processes required for public improvement projects under Iowa Code Chapter 26. 11:15 am - School Level Reporting with Kassandra Cline. Kassandra will share the US DE’s newly identified functions to be reported at the school level and Iowa’s adoption strategy to help districts meet the requirement. Solicitation of best practices will occur. 12:30 pm - Internal Control: Doing the right thing presented by Patti Schroeder from IASB. This breakout session will focus on information from the recent special state audits:Brief overview of components of a strong internal control systemOverriding importance of segregation of duties and reconciliationsWorking with auditors, when a special investigation is imminentEducating your board members, superintendent, staff and community on financial oversight 12:45 pm - Financial Compliance and Reporting with Denise Ragias and Janice Evans. Districts have many transactions, collect, and report a variety of information. How does an SBO know to whom, what, and when to report? They will discuss various resources in which to find compliance information in coding requirements and reporting. 12:45 pm - Safety and Security with Michael Hacker from Bray and Assoc. Michael will review the latest in safety and security measures for school districts. 1:00 pm - Board Secretary 101.5 - a 2-hour session with a panel consisting of Shonna Trudo, Angie Morrison, Christie VanWey, Lynnette Engel and Danielle Haindfield.Are you a board secretary and want some additional information on topics such as: board meeting agendas, minutes and board packets? Then this is the session for you. Come ready to participate as you will be engaged throughout this interactive 2-hour session. Be sure to bring your computer for the best experience. 1:00 pm - SBRC Overview with Kassandra Cline. She will provide an overview of the School Budget Review Committee membership, authority, allowable reasons for a hearing to occur, and the process when appearing before the committee. 2:00 pm - Credit Strategy for SAVE Revenue Bonds - Revised S&P Criteria presented by Gerard Owen from PFM. On October 22, 2018 S&P Global (“S&P”) released revised credit rating criteria for tax-supported debt obligations. This change in criteria is expected to impact the majority of outstanding School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax (“SAVE”) revenue bonds issued by school districts within the State of Iowa. Because of the potentially significant impact on schools in Iowa, business officials should have a thorough understanding of the revised credit rating criteria and how it will impact each district’s ability to receive an adequate credit rating. With detailed knowledge of the revised criteria business officials can work with their school leaders to ensure financial and operating decisions will be supportive of strong credit ratings. 2:15 pm - Special Investigations - Lessons Learned moderated by Patti Schroeder. A panel consisting of Lisa Waddell, Angie Morrison, Paulette Newbold, Kurt Subra and Jeff Schwartzentruber will share lessons they’ve learned after special audits were conducted in their district. 2:15 pm - Easy to use Presentation Tips and Tricks by Cheryl Risen of Heartland AEA.Have you ever presented to an audience and felt like they were not totally engaged? During this interactive session, participants will learn and practice strategies for gaining and maintaining audience attention throughout a presentation. Participants will explore the four audience types and techniques in which to engage all adult learners. As a result of engaging in this session, participants can expect to be able to implement a few key strategies that will enhance future presentations in their districts. 2:15 pm - Top Facilities Issues - Building on Your Knowledge with Rob Olsen, DE. During this session, participants will be provided information about the SAVE and PPEL funds and their appropriate uses. A brief description will be given for each fund as well as the purpose and uses for each fund. Any legislative updates regarding these funds will also be presented. PPEL expenditure scenarios will be presented for discussion. 3:15 pm - Importance of Financial Planning and Budget on Personal Level presented by Steve Harder of Horace Mann. Often times people don’t take the time to look at their personal finances and budgeting. Steve will explain the importance of finding that time to take care of your personal needs. 3:30 pm - Board Secretary/Board Relationships with Harry Heiligenthal from IASB. Harry will repeat this popular session that was originally presented at the IASBO Fall Conference. 3:30 pm - Facility Planning and Construction Project Tips and Tricks with Kevin Kelleher, Bill Burkhart and Danielle Haindfield. They will explain what is involved with the Dubuque CSD Long-Term Facility Planning process and the Tips and Procedures used on their Construction Projects to track costs and make sure all necessary procedures are completed. 3:30 pm - Cracker Barrel Sessions - not for creditTips and Tricks Grant Wood software - Gene Lawson, Kristy Bruce and Vanessa Raue will moderate this session. This is intended for users of Grant Wood software to come and share their best practices, tips and tricks and ask questions. Tips and Tricks Software Unlimited - Karli North will moderate this session. Corey Atkinson from Software Unlimited will also be on hand. This is intended for users of Software Unlimited to come and share their best practices, tips and tricks and ask questions. As a reminder, the Cracker Barrel sessions are not for credit. If you’ve sat long enough on Wednesday and need some exercise, there are two opportunities for you. Kurt Subra organized the 4K Fun Walk/Run at 5:00 p.m. at Ames Middle School, 3915 Mortensen Road. If that’s not your thing, perhaps bowling is. Activities start at 8:00 pm at Perfect Games, 1320 Dickinson in Ames. The cost per person is $10 - $5 for an arcade card and $5 for 1 hour of bowling. Bowling starts at 9:00 pm and the Arcade fun starts at 8:00 pm. Thursday, March 27th7:30 am - Registration and a light breakfast menu will start off the day. 7:30 am - Regional Directors will meet for a breakfast meeting. 8:30 am - Iowa School Business Management Academy announcements by Deb VanGorp.8:45 am - Jerome Wade will present THE ULTIMATE EDGE: The Guide to Driving for Success Without Losing What You Love. Click on this link to get a preview of this session - Life for working professionals is filled with endless deadlines, unreasonable demands, and all-consuming dilemmas. For many, the pursuit of success and their drive to achieve, leads them to perform at an unsustainable pace putting at risk the very things they love. Left unchecked, drive and ambition can cause anyone to find themselves leading on empty, suffering from the devastating consequences of fatigue.It doesn’t have to be that way, you can stay at the top of your game and get what you want without putting at risk everything that matters to you. In this unfiltered, solution rich presentation, you will learn how to:· Drive for success without driving yourself into the ground.· Recognize, reverse, and prevent executive fatigue and burnout.· Discover innovative resilience strategies.· Create a self–leadership matrix that creates focus, alignment, and drives long-term results· Activate clarity, confidence, and courageous leadership.· Reengineer a bigger, brighter, significance driven life. 10:15 am - Tom Cooley from the DE will present after a brief break following the opening session. Tom will present an Update from the DE and an Overview of Public Purpose. Lunch will be served at 11:45 am. There will be a Mentor/Mentee lunch at 11:45 am. Sessions for the afternoon will include: 12:30 pm - Initial SBO Authorization Required Sessions - These sessions are required for those working on their Initial Authorization. Presentations for the afternoon will include Student Activity Funds and Technology - DE Applications/Resources. 12:30 pm - Your Signature Culture with Jerome Wade continued from the General Session. Click on this link to get a preview of this session - Most organizations are limited by an “accidental culture” and everyone suffers for it, internally and externally. Smart leaders create and fiercely protect the culture that defines them. To unleash the performance, productivity and impact of your organization it’s time to create a culture as unique as your signature. When you put Your Signature CultureTM into action you will see your workforce fully engage, your customers be amazed, and your competition fear you. The #1 strategic advantage for your organization is the culture you intentionally create. Create a compelling culture and you win, ignore your culture and you lose. This is the simple formula to help you create an inspiring and irresistible organization.In this presentation you will learn how to: · Intentionally and precisely define your signature culture· Leverage your signature culture to attract and retain clients· Unleash a culture that inspires and engages your workforce· Effectively build your culture into your people and organization· Avoid the forces pulling against your signature culture 12:30 pm - Financial Reporting to Your Board with Paul Bobek and Melissa Fettkether. Paul and Melissa will present financial reports and information they have successfully shared with their board. 12:30 pm - How to Control Costs Through Use of IT presented by Nick Lenhardt. Nick will share with attendees ideas on how to control costs by effectively using everything IT has to offer. 12:30 pm - Impact of Child Abuse - What School Leaders Need to Know by Liz Cox and Abby Patterson of Jester Insurance. Personnel from Jester Ins. will be partnering with the folks from PCAI (Prevent Child Abuse of Iowa) and educate school business leaders about child abuse in Iowa schools and ways to prevent it. Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in claims both in frequency and severity across Iowa. Schools are looking for help and perhaps SBOs can help start the discussion. 1:45 pm - Making Google Communicate for You with Jana Speck. Dive into Google Spreadsheets in this hands-on presentation with practical takeaways to enhance communication and efficiency within your district. You will see how Cedar Falls CSD has successfully used Google for human resources, payroll and benefits communications and updates. Bring your laptop ready to create your own Google sheets specific to the needs of your district. 1:45 pm - All Together Now - Successfully Partnering with Your 403b and 457 Providers presented by Linda Blinn from VOYA. How do you keep your 403(b) and 457 plans running like a “Peaceful Easy Feeling” instead of like a “Heartache Tonight”? Join us for an interactive discussion about best practices for your school district and for your plan service providers to keep your retirement plans operating smoothly. 1:45 pm - The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and What It Can Do for Your District presented by Ed Chabal and Tim Bloom. Looking for a way to enhance your financial reporting and improve your financial transparency? Come to this session to find out how your financial report can be an award-winning report through the ASBO International Certificate of Excellence Program. 3:00 pm - 10 Secrets of Life and Disability Plans that can Make or Break Your Benefit Plan with Steve Ott from National Insurance Services. Not much attention is paid to life and disability benefits when we are so caught up in our health plans. However, these plans have the potential to cause large liabilities if improperly administered. Imagine having to self-pay a 20-year disability claim that was denied because of a tiny detail you never considered before. Join Steve Ott, Life and Disability expert with 23 years experience, for this fascinating peek into the 10 secrets that can make or break your life and disability insurance plans. Steve will cover imputed income tax, mental health limitations, waiver of premium filings, conversion provisions and post-tax premiums,. Not only can these tips prevent disasters, they may also save money for your district. 3:00 pm - Getting Your Hands on ESSA a Report Card with Gary Sinclair from Forecast5 - Districts will be able to use the most recent statewide CAR data available for their district to start the process of sorting the coding requirements for ESSA. The session will walk participants through a process to identify: school site or district facilities; local-state-federal spending; school site enrollments; function level assignments; and reviewing and analyzing report results. This session will allow participants to use individual school data to help consider coding changes that may be required prior to submitting the FY19 CAR. Cracker Barrels - not for credit1:45 pm - Kurt Subra will moderate a session entitled “How Districts Utilize Operational Sharing”. Come join this session and walk away with some good ideas.3:00 pm - Karla Hogan will moderate a session entitled “Fiscal Challenges Facing All Districts”. Join this session to hear and learn from others and realize you are not alone.3:00 pm - Beth Weepie will moderate a session entitled “Networking for Shared SBOs”.Are you a shared SBO? Ever want a chance to talk and ask questions of other shared SBOs? This is your opportunity.left41148000ON THE HORIZONCritical Calendar Dates WebinarThis webinar series is designed for members new to the profession although anyone interested is welcome to attend. These 60 minute live webinar sessions, held monthly, are presented by IASBO Board members. The presentations normally follow the Critical Dates Calendar and will include upcoming deadlines and requirements. Members who join the webinars have the opportunity to ask questions via chat and receive valuable information to give focus to approaching job responsibilities. Curriculum is driven by the Critical Dates Calendar distributed to members in booklet form and also found on the IASBO website.Webinars are held monthly. Those coming up are:April 9th 9:00 am - Special Topic - What Your Insurance Agent Should Do for You presented by Jester InsuranceMay 7th 9:00 am with Melissa FettketherJune 4th 9:00 am with Brian GubbelsJuly 9th 9:00 am with Kevin Kelleher If you are interested in attending these webinars and are not receiving a meeting invite, please email Marsha at iowaasboad@ and you will be added to the list. ISBMA AcademyThe Iowa School Business Management Academy will be held May 1, 2 and 3 at the Scheman Center in Ames. Registration will open March 18. You must register at the following link ?education.iastate.edu/isbmaSpring Conference, Trade Show and Annual Meeting - Mark your calendars for the Spring Conference to be held at the Scheman Center on the Iowa State Campus on March 27 and 28th. Session details are in a separate article. Online Registration is open until March 15.1166238321347900Work Comp – Am I Doing it Right??Part TwoIn Part One, we discussed the four key things to do/programs to have in place before an injury occurs and also the steps to take after receiving notification of a work-related injury. Let’s now identify the various types of Workers’ Compensation payments and how they impact your district’s insurance costs. Work Comp Payments There are three main types of payments available to an injured employee:Medical Expenses. These payments cover expenses like doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications used to treat a work-related injury. Temporary Disability Benefits. These payments cover a portion of the employee’s wages that are lost while the employee is off work due to an injury. Permanent Disability Benefits. At the end of the healing period, additional compensation is available if it is determined that the injured employee has a permanent disability resulting from the work-related injury.Temporary Disability (lost time) BenefitsTemporary disability benefits are available to an injured worker while he or she is unable to work. The payments are designed to replace roughly 80% of an employee’s take home pay, so a Work Comp check will be less than the employee’s usual paycheck.Can we supplement Work Comp benefits?Sections 279.40 and 85.38 of the Iowa Code allow public employees to supplement Work Comp temporary disability payments with sick leave.A district must notify injured employees of the option to supplement, and the employee may elect or reject the option to supplement.If an employee opts to supplement, districts can charge up to a full day of sick time for each daily supplement (most districts charge half a day).When supplementing temporary disability payments, it’s important to ensure that the total of the Work Comp benefit check and the district’s supplement check do not exceed the employee’s usual net take home pay. Otherwise, an employee receives more money while off work than they would while working, creating a disincentive to return to work. Supplementing Work Comp benefits can be complicated and requires coordination with your claims adjuster to ensure that employees are not overpaid. Keep in mind that Work Comp benefits are not taxable and are not eligible for IPERS.Permanent Disability BenefitsWhen an employee is finished treating for a work-related injury, the treating physician determines if there is any permanent disability and the extent of any such disability. This permanency rating is very important to the total cost of a claim, and another reason it’s critical to utilize a designated physician to treat injured employees. Permanent disability benefit schedules are included within the Iowa Code and benefits are described in terms of an injured employee’s weekly wages. For example:100% loss of an arm = 250 weeks of benefits100% loss of an eye = 140 weeks of benefits100% loss of a big toe = 40 weeks of benefitsLoss to a body part can also be expressed as a partial loss. For example, an employee who has lost 50% of the use of an arm would be entitled to 125 weeks of benefits.Impact on Experience ModsThe three types of Work Comp benefit payments do not affect a district’s Experience Mod equally. A claim involving lost time benefits or a permanent disability will have a much bigger impact on your Experience Mod than a claim involving just medical expenses. A claim that involves just medical expenses is discounted by 70% when an Experience Mod is calculated. By contrast, a claim involving lost time is not discounted at all. For this reason, a Light Duty / Return to Work program is a critical component of a district’s efforts to keep their Experience Mod (and resulting Work Comp premium) as low as possible.Can I Fire an Injured Employee?You can, but the district would likely be sued for wrongful termination and/or retaliation. If you are concerned that an injured employee is another serious accident waiting to happen, the district may want to consider a Global Release. This is a legal agreement in which the district and injured employee mutually agree to part ways. It requires additional lump sum contributions from both the district and their Work Comp carrier.A Global Release eliminates the potential for an employment practices suit and eliminates the possibility of another serious Work Comp injury by the same employee. Discuss the possibility of a Global Release with your claim adjuster if you feel it may be appropriate.Janelle Friedman, CPCUJester InsuranceCrowdfunding best practices for K-12 public schoolsPublic schools have long used donations to enrich students’ academic experience and fund materials that budgets cannot always afford. Crowdfunding is becoming a viable funding source, filling resource gaps and providing strategic acceleration for academic programs. However, because the practice may be misunderstood, it may result in unexpected liabilities without the proper partners and safeguards in place. Horace Mann is a national sponsor of , an organization that connects teachers in need of classroom resources with donors who want to help. Schools served by Horace Mann representatives have received more than $486 million in classroom funding through .Horace Mann can help you learn how to implement crowdfunding best practices like these in your schools. Crowdfunding guidance and which sites to trustFinancial accountabilityControls over materials and suppliesSafety and privacyHorace Mann can host no-cost workshops to help your teachers understand how works, how to set up a project and how to help make it a success. Click here to learn more.TPA-0073 (Jan. 19)2780030040513041992554406583-9810800 IPSIP will be presenting on Wednesday, March 27th at 10:45 a.m. on the topic "Identify and Manage Risk in your Transportation Operation”. As a preview to this in person presentation, we are including the following article titled:CHANGING BEHAVIOR AND SETTING THE NEW SAFETY STANDARD.BACKGROUNDTalk?to?any?school?transportation?official?and?they?will?tell?you,?“Safety?is?our?Number?One?Priority.”“Our?drivers?are?committed?to?the?safety?of?our?passengers.”?“Safety?is?our?passion.”?But?what?doesthat?really?mean?Compliance?with?federal?regulations?and?state-mandated?training?is?not?an?extraordinary?safetyprogram?–?it’s?the?law.?It?is?the?least?amount?of?work?that?a?school?district?or?transportation?providercan?require?of?its?employees.?If?we?consider?the?definition?of?safety?as?being?the?avoidance?of?risk,then?the?key?to?a?successful?safety?and?training?program?lies?in?knowing?what?an?accident?is,understanding?why?people?have?them,?and?changing?the?behavior?to?avoid?that?risk?before?it?evenoccurs.4988560378841000WHAT?IS?AN?ACCIDENT?So?if?we?are?defining?safety?as?the?avoidance?of?risk,?then?let?us?define“accident”?as?an?event?that?happens?without?apparent?cause.Think?about?that.?Without?apparent?cause.?Now?apply?that?to?yourschool?district’s?transportation?department.?Should?a?school?busaccident?occur?on?your?watch,?do?you?want?your?statement?to?anoutraged?community?to?be,?“But?we?followed?the?minimumrequirements…”??Is?the?cause?not?apparent?in?this?situation??How?isdoing?the?bare?minimum?the?active?avoidance?of?risk??As?the?leaderand?decision?maker?of?your?school?district,?you?are?held?directlyaccountable?for?preventing?accidents?and?elevating?the?safetystandards?of?your?transportation?department.?Not?by?driving?the?busesor?by?leading?safety?meetings,?but?by?taking?a?proactive?versusreactive?approach?to?your?school?district’s?transportation?safety?andtraining?program.WHY?DO?PEOPLE?HAVE?ACCIDENTS?When?an?accident?occurs,?people?are?often?quick?to?blame?extenuating?circumstances?rather?thanconsider?human?error.?But?the?truth?of?the?matter?is?that?most?accidents?can?be?prevented?simply?byexamining?the?behaviors?that?surround?such?conditions.One?of?the?most?common?reasons?an?accident?occurs?is?overconfidence.?For?an?example?thateveryone?can?relate?to,?let’s?take?a?look?at?inclement?weather.?A?slick?road?in?and?of?itself?does?notpresent?as?much?of?a?problem?as?the?driver?who,?confident?in?their?familiarity?with?the?route,?proceedsover?rainy?streets?at?the?posted?speed?limit?rather?than?slowing?to?allow?for?decreased?visibility?andlonger?brake?times.?Another?example?is?complacency,?or?taking?shortcuts.?Most?drivers?will?tell?you?they?regularly?checkthe?tire?pressure?of?their?vehicles,?but?few?take?the?effort?to?get?down?to?ground?level?and?check?witha?tire?gauge?as?opposed?to?kicking?the?rubber.?According?to?the?ATA?Technology?&?MaintenanceCouncil,?just?10?percent?underinflation?can?shorten?a?tire’s?tread?life?by?up?to?16?percent,?which?not only?costs?your?district?budget?in?fleet?and?fuel?efficiencies,?but?can?lead?to?unstable?vehicleconditions?including?overheated?tires,?tread?separation?and?dangerous?blowouts.?In?2012,?the National?Highway?Traffic?Safety?Administration?(NHTSA)?released?an?extensive?and?insightful?report?on tire-related?crash?factors?and?the?emergence?of?tire?problems?in?the?pre-crash?phase.?A?more?recentsurvey?from?the?NHTSA?features?data?spanning?10?years?and?shows?an?average?of?131?school transportation-related?fatalities?per?year.Consider?Heinrich’s?Law,?or?the?300:29:1?behavior-based?safety?theory:?For?every?one?major?accident,there?are?29?minor?accidents,?and?for?each?one?of?those?minor?accidents,?there?are?300?unsafebehaviors.SETTING?THE?NEW?SAFETY?STANDARDThe?rewards?for?taking?risks?are?minimal,?and?short?term.?To?be?successful,?a?behavior-based?safetyprogram?must?be?founded?on?real?knowledge?and?have?the?support?of?everyone?involved.?But?it’s?notjust?the?bus?drivers?whose?behavior?needs?to?change.?It?begins?with?you?-?the?leadership?outside?of?thetransportation?department.76205368290You?must?take?a?proactive?approach?to?your?school?district’s?riskminimization.?And?assessing?your?risk?starts?with?the?driver?files.?Do?youknow?who?drives?your?school?district’s?buses??Do?you?know?if?theirbackgrounds?have?been?checked?and?when?their?DMV?records?werelast?reviewed??Should?an?accident?or?other?violation?occur,?it?is?theschool?district?and?its?board?that?are?ultimately?held?accountable.?Soget?involved?with?the?transportation?director?and?the?terminal?managerwho?work?directly?with?the?drivers?day?in?and?day?out.?They?have?a?vastamount?of?control?over?the?operation?of?your?transportationdepartment,?but?so?can?you?–?from?determining?driver?qualificationsand?who?gets?hired,?to?overseeing?the?training?provided?to?employees,and?ultimately?setting?the?standard?for?what?is?and?what?is?notacceptable,?safe?behavior.You?should?also?encourage?an?open?dialogue?across?all?levels?of?your?transportation?department.What?the?transportation?director?or?terminal?manager?says?versus?what?the?drivers?hear?might?becompletely?different?-?conversely,?what?the?drivers?say?versus?what?management?hears?is?just?asimportant.?Therefore,?an?essential?part?of?changing?behavior,?minimizing?risk?and?establishing?that?newsafety?standard?is?to?encourage?your?district’s?drivers?to?be?involved?in?both?setting?and?creating?theculture?and?safety?standards?of?their?operation,?above?and?beyond?the?state’s?requirements.?To?dothis,?work?with?the?management?team?and?their?drivers?to?initiate?a?Safety?Committee.?The?committeeshould?meet?monthly?and?focus?on?how?management?and?employees?can?continually?work?togetherto?get?ahead?of?risks?and?avoid?unsafe?conditions?and?behaviors.?Establish?a?direction,?set?safetygoals,?and?have?a?documented?plan?to?continually?seek?zero?tolerance?for?unsafe?conditions?andbehaviors.Together,?you?and?the?transportation?management?team?must?act?on?the?knowledge?that?theprevention?of?accidents?comes?from?understanding?the?behaviors?that?allow?accidents?to?occur?inthe?first?place?–?not?just?the?recitation?of?antiquated?training?materials.?Get?the?drivers?involved?toestablish?an?“inside?out?approach”?to?your?school?district’s?safety?culture,?and?to?increase?driver?buy-inof?the?concept?that?safety?and?risk?minimization?begin?with?understanding?and?changing?behaviors.Transportation?directors?and?managers?are?responsible?for?doing?things?right;?as?the?leader?anddecision?maker?of?your?school?district,?you?are?responsible?for?doing?the?right?thing?–?the?first?time,every?time.134493031115000Iowa Public School Insurance Program (IPSIP) is owned and operated by Iowa schools where members make decisions in the best interest of the members through a fully transparent program that offers enhanced coverages at a competitive price.? This program can be distributed through your local agent.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Wearmouth, Business Manager, Dallas Center Grimes, michelle.wearmouth@, 515-992-3866Craig Mobley, Business Manager, Knoxville CSD, craig.mobley@kcsd.k12.ia.us, (641) 842-65515336540284035500-2399780004370705381000 Iowa School Board Election Change to November in 2019HF 566, passed by the 2017 Legislature, changes Iowa school board elections from September to November, effective July 1, 2019.Election Timelines ComparisonSchool Board Election Process2017 Code2017 Actual2019 Code2019 ActualFirst day to file nomination papers with board secretaryNot more than 64 days before electionJuly 10Not more than 71 days before electionAug. 26Last day to file nominations papersNot less than 40 days before electionAug. 3Not less than 47 days before electionSept. 19Last day candidates may withdraw; last day to file objectionsAt least 35 days before electionAug. 8At least 42 days before electionSept. 24Election DaySecond Tuesday in September of odd-numbered yearsSept. 12First Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd- numbered yearsNov. 5Election canvassFriday following the electionSept. 15Nov. 8Organizational meetingFirst regular meeting following election and canvassFirst regular meeting following election and canvass*Subject to interpretation by Secretary of State, or modification by legislature in clean-up legislationAdditional Factors and Implications for MembersHoldover/Transition: The law has provisions that clarify that terms of people elected in September 2015 expire in November 2019; people elected in September 2017 expire in November 2021. Board officers elected at the board annual meetings in September 2018 serve until their successors are elected at organizational meetings in 2019.City Elections & Joint Office: School board members will now be elected on the same ballot as city offices. Previous provision that a person shall not be a candidate for more than one office to be filled at the same election, was amended to allow the exception that a person may be a candidate for a city office and school board office at the same election.Polling/Election Procedures: The bill provides additional direction to County Auditors on polling, balloting and canvassing responsibilities. County auditors have asserted that the differing boundaries can be addressed using a technology solution.Voter Turnout Snapshot: According to the Secretary of State’s Office, in the last four school elections, the voter turnout average was 6.5 percent. In contrast, the average voter turnout for city elections in that same time frame was 21.3 percent. (As reported by Des Moines Register, April 2017). School board members will want to consider implications of campaigning in a combined election process.Election Costs: Combining school board and city elections has been projected to save taxpayers money by eliminating the costs of elections in September. This may be true, however school districts will want to locally assess the impact on their own budgets, as they will now pay a portion of the combined election vs. solely for the school board election costs.Special School Elections: HF 566 also made changes to the months for other school elections. Dates of special school elections are projected on the following page.Special School Election Dates 2019Special School Election Dates 2020April 2019– 1st Tuesday, April 2, 2019March – 1st Tuesday, March 3, 2020June 2019 – last Tuesday, June 25, 2019May – 1st Tuesday, May 5, 2020August 2019 – 1st Tuesday, August 6, 2019August – 1st Tuesday, August 4, 2020November 2019 – 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday, Nov. 5, 2019December – 2nd Tuesday, December 2020 Information provided by: Iowa Association of School Boards, as of 9/10/2018324612030416500Iowa Medicaid Update As we wind down this decade, I thought it might be interesting to share some data and statistics on Medicaid claiming in Iowa. The program has grown significantly over the past 18 years, since Iowa Medicaid added school districts (LEA) to their list of provider types.During the last full fiscal year (July 2017 thru June 2018), there were 280 of the 330 school districts in the state that received a Medicaid payment. Only 12-15 of those 280 districts submitted their Medicaid claims on their own, as the vast majority use a billing service. The Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) paid out over $60 million in federal Medicaid funds to school districts last year. This is about 15% of the total federal Special Education funds from the US Department of Education. All of the 100 largest districts submitted claims for reimbursement. Of the 70 different provider types at Iowa Medicaid, only 10 types claim for more funds than the LEA provider type.There were 5,882 students with reimbursed services during the year. The average amount of federal Medicaid funds per student claimed was $10,540 annually. The average claim amount for the year was $113.95.I remember visiting with a former Director of the Department of Education (the one that hired me) years after I left my position at the DE. He made the comment that he was surprised that the Medicaid claiming has become an established revenue source over the years. His comment was they expected the Medicaid claiming to be a 3-4-year run. I am proud that the Medicaid funds have supported the provision of Special Education services across the state over the years. Since 2001, there have been over $500 million in federal Medicaid funds reimbursed to Iowa school districts.For more information about this article, please feel free to contact Dann Stevens, CEO of Timberline Billing Service LLC at Dann.Stevens@ or at (515) 222-0827 Ext 110.260351905Teachers On Call is a substitute staffing service that hires licensed teachers, paraprofessionals, and early child care staff.Wayne Gilman651-242-39553001 Metro Drive – Ste 200Bloomington, MN 55425wgilman@ Counsel’s Corner By Danielle Haindfield, IASBO General Counsel, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C.What is a Public Purpose?We all know that public monies must be expended for a public purpose, but why? IowaConstitution Article III, Section 31 states:No public money or property shall be appropriated for local or private purposes, Unless such appropriation, compensation, or claim, be allowed by two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the general assembly. The purpose of the constitutional prohibition “is the protection of public funds.” 1936 Op. Att’y Gen. 548. The framers sought to prevent any improper use of money orproperty held in trust for the public by its officers and employees, see McQuillin Municipal Corporations, Section 39.19, pg. 37-39, as well as to prevent any governmental favoritism toward private parties. Love v. City of Des Moines, 230 N.W. 373, 375 (Iowa 1930).” If expenditures are made which are prohibited by law, it may subject individuals to charges of official misconduct and criminal process under Iowa Code Section 721.2(5), which states in relevant part: “Any public officer or employee, or any person acting under color of such office or employment, who knowingly does any of the following commits a serious misdemeanor”***5.Uses or permits any other person to use the property owned by the state or any subdivision or agency of the state for any private purpose and for personal gain, to the detriment of the state or any subdivision thereof.The challenge for schools and other public entities is how to determine whether an expenditure is for a public purpose when there is no real clear definition of the term “public purpose”. Instead, it is more of an “I know it when I see it” approach.The test applied by the Iowa Supreme Court to determine whether statutes authorizing the expenditure of public money are for private purposes (as opposed to a public purpose) is whether there is an “absence of public purpose” which is “so clear as to be perceptible by every mind at first blush.” See John A. Grubb, Inc. v. Iowa Housing Finance Authority, 255 N.W.2d 89, 93 (Iowa 1977); Dickinson v. Porter, 35 N.W.2d 66, 80 (Iowa 1948).The Iowa Attorney General has further opined that “The public purposerequirement prohibits the expenditure of public funds strictly for private gratification . . . and the proper inquiry is to determine if a public interest is served, regardless of whether incidental private purposes exist.” Op. Atty Gen. #01-4-2 (L) and #98-1-2(L):The modern trend of court decisions across the country is to extend the class of public uses or purposes in considering the school activities sought to be included in the “public purpose” category. The Iowa Supreme Court has followed suit by indicating that the concept of a public purpose should “have that flexibility and expansive scope required to meet the challenges of increasingly complex, social, economic and technological conditions.” John A. Grubb, Inc. v. Iowa Housing Finance Authority, 255 N.W.2d 89, 93 (Iowa 1977); Dickinson v. Porter, 35 N.W.2d 66, 80 (Iowa 1948); Op. Att’y Gen. #95-5-1. The Iowa Attorney General has also found the definition of “public purpose” to be flexible in nature by stating: “Like beauty in the eye of its beholder, a "public purpose" may take many forms.” 2000 Op. Att’y Gen. Because the definition is flexible and ever-changing this means that in determining whether an expenditure is for a “public purpose,” the Courts will likely look at each situation on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it is difficult to predict with any degree of certainty whether a specific expenditure would be considered one for a “public purpose” if challenged. However, the best defense to any challenge is a policy and/or detailed findings which clearly outline things that the Board has established as appropriate expenditures for a public purpose and what the actual public purpose is behind the expenditure The Auditor of State’s Office has previously provided informal guidance indicating that when it audits public bodies it first asks for the policy or board minutes approving the expenditure. The standard the Auditor of State uses is whether a prudent person would spend funds in that situation and view it as being for the public good. The Auditor of State looks specifically for a description of how the public will be benefited. A person who challenges an appropriation or expenditure based on a violation of the public purpose doctrine has the high burden of proving the unconstitutionality of the action beyond a reasonable doubt. Courts also will typically not interfere with a school board’s determination of what is a public purpose unless it is “without reasonable relation to the public interest or welfare and to be within the scope of legitimate government.”When there is a question regarding whether a public purpose is being served by the Board’s action, the Board is advised to make detailed findings “which adequately demonstrate that the particular program or expenditure furthers the public interest.” The Iowa Attorney General has stressed findings and a basis and rationale be made by public bodies for all expenditures for a public purpose. Specifically, it has explained that courts will look at these findings and rationale in making any decision on a public purpose expenditure. Therefore, it has said that a public entity is advised to make “detailed and comprehensive” findings on public purpose because “such findings will be critical to resolution of the public purpose issue.” 1986 Op. Att’y Gen. 113, 118. The Supreme Court of Iowa has emphasized it will defer to findings by public entities of what constitutes a public purpose. See, e.g., John R. Grubb, Inc. v. Iowa Housing Finance Authority, 225 N.W.2d 89, 93 (Iowa 1977); Dickinson v. Porter, 35 N.W.2d 66, 80 (Iowa 1948) (legislative declaration of public purpose underlying statute controls court if “zone of doubt” exists about a public purpose.) Therefore, school districts should utilize their local control power to establish detailed findings and policies that support the practices and expenditures of the district that are for a public purpose.If a Board has questions or doubts about whether an expenditure is for a public purpose, it is recommended that the school district work with its legal counsel prior to making any final decision or expenditure. The purpose of this column is to identify issues. It does not purport to be exhaustive or to render legal advice. You shouldconsult with qualified counsel or other professionals in developing responses to specific situations.Iowa ASBO at ASBO International Executive Leadership Forum 00Brian Gubbels, Denelle Gonnerman and Paul Bobek focus on how to create a “Yes, And” culture of high level performance and engagement. Galen Emanuel shared tools to better communication:Say Yes – be open mindedListen and be presentMake people look goodEmbrace change and failureBe positive43891203175 Guarav Bhalla guided the Soulful Leadership Journey teaching the true mission is to find a way to make our workplaces and world a better place. 300990101600Jan Miller-Hook and Patricial Townsend discuss how to rethink the leadership purpose and how to invest in our assets (students, staff and district patrons). Iowans enjoyed meals at two of President Kelleher’s favorite places to eat – Diners, Drive Ins and Dives01905When Ed visits other states, he is often welcomed back to his office by his stand in.37833301333500-69850000 Securities and investment advisory services offered through VOYA Financial Advisors, member SIPCAndrew BrookshireRegional Vice President10740 Nall Avenue, Suite 120Overland Park, KS 66211Tele:?913-661-3744Cell Phone:?281-839-4153?Future Dates To Remember March 27-28, 2019 – Annual Meeting & Trade Show, Scheman Center, Ames, IASeptember 24-25, 2019 – Fall Conference, Meadows Conference Center, Altoona, IAOctober 25-28, 2019 – ASBO Intl – National Harbor, MarylandMarch 24-25 2020– Annual Meeting & Trade Show, Scheman Center, Ames, IAOctober 2-5, 2020 – ASBO Intl – Nashville October 27-28, 2020 – Fall Conference, Meadows Conference Center, Altoona, IAFuture Iowa School Business Management Academy Dates May 1-3, 2019 – Scheman Center, Ames, IAApril 29 – May 1, 2020 – Scheman Center, Ames, IA ................
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