Standard Operating Procedures

1. Standard Operating Procedures Guidelines and Support

2. Employee Self-Service (ESS) System • This online system allows staff to access the Leave, Calendar and Hourly Timecard applications, as well as requests for Agency-Directed Travel and Room Scheduling. • Additional features allow staff to view Job History and License Status, along with copies of W-2 forms and paycheck or direct deposit history. • From this online system staff can also update their address and emergency contact info. • The link for this ESS system is https://business.gwaea.org/cfapps/gwess/Login.cfm?dist=9210 • At the first login, use the temporary password - last 4 digits of your SSN plus your 4-digit birth year (ex: 99991962). At the first login you will then be prompted to change your password. • Please save this new link in your favorites/bookmarks!

3. Remote Work Site Program • A Remote Work Site (work from home) Program is available for Contracted and Salaried Staff beginning 2012-13. • Guidelines and requirements related to eligibility, schedules, work hours, Agency resources, safety, security and liability are provided in an overview document published in the 8/3/12 issue of the Bulletin Board (available at http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/intranet/bulletinboard/2012-2013/BBrd8-3-12.html) • To participate in this voluntary program, interested employees are to complete and submit an application to their supervisor by Sept 1 (the application is also accessible from 8/3/12 Bulletin Board). • Employees shall not use their home as a place to provide direct services or meet with clients. • When using their homes as a remote work site, participating employees assume responsibility for: operating costs, equipping their office space, ensuring internet connectivity, being accessible. • Work hours for Remote Work Site participants are the same as Agency hours. • Participating employees are assigned an Agency Center for the purpose of mail delivery and mileage reimbursement. • An annual application is to be submitted. For work years following 2012-13, completed applications are to be submitted by May 1 for the upcoming work year.

4. EMPLOYMENT CALENDAR • Calendars for returning staff should already be completed • New staff complete calendar at orientation • The online calendar link is available through the Employee Self Service (ESS) System. The login for this system can be found at:https://business.gwaea.org/cfapps/gwess/Login.cfm?dist=9210 • A tip sheet for completing the online calendar is available by clicking on the blue question mark at top of the calendar page. • Employee completes calendar in consideration of: • District calendar(s) • Region Meeting Schedule • Agency needs/services • When calendar is approved by RA or supervisor, employee receives an email and an online record is created • Employees may print a paper copy of the calendar if needed • A copy of the calendar is maintained in the personnel file

5. CALENDAR CHANGE REQUESTS • When it is necessary to change your employment calendar to accommodate agency/school needs, complete a calendar change request form using the online calendar link • Calendar changes are to occur within the same work year • A non-work day may not be changed to a work day for the purpose of taking leave • Change requires RA/supervisor approval. When submitting change request, remember to include reason for the change. The reason is to be updated with each request. • When change request is approved, employee receives an email and an online record is created

6. SCHEDULES • Weekly schedules must be submitted. Schedules need to be current and accurate and are to include work locations. • When it’s necessary to work on a non-work day for a direct client need, it’s important staff request a calendar change (to a half day or full day) or email both the supervisor and secretary of the need to work before the work occurs. This helps ensure staff are covered under Agency insurance and are eligible for reimbursement of business expenses that may be incurred during that time. • Notify secretary of “out of assignment” events in case of emergency* • Voice mail should also reflect changes of schedule**

7. PHONE • Setting up your voice mail • Phone and voice mail basics available online at http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/intranet/techsupport/phonesystem.html • Greeting • Checking voice mail • Regular basis – each work day • Inside the agency • Press “voice mail” button on phone, or • Dial “6555” using any phone in the agency and press # • Outside the agency • Dial 399-6555 or 1-800-798-9771, follow prompts

8. CLAIMS REIMBURSEMENT • Submit claims for mileage online at https://business.gwaea.org/cfapps/gwapps/ • Reimbursement at 39 cents per mile • Also submit claims for non-mileage expenses online Examples of non-mileage expenses: • Meals during out-of-area Agency travel • Other Agency-directed travel expenses such as lodging • On occasion, approved supplies purchased out-of-pocket when not adequate time to process a purchase order or for unique specialty items Maximum reimbursement is $50 for total cash purchases made on the same day. **First option for general office supplies is to obtain items through your region secretary.

9. ….Claims Reimbursement…. • Receipts are required for all on-line claims excluding meals • Meal expenses for out-of-area business travel are reimbursed at per diem rate established by Gov’t Services Administration (GSA). GSA Quick Reference located at top of reimbursement claims system screen. • Reimbursement for cell phone at 13 cents per minute not to exceed $30 per month • For detailed instructions of reimbursement system see reference guide available on Business/HR Google site

10. …Mileage reimbursement… • Staff assigned to the same building/location Monday-Friday are not reimbursed for mileage to and from home (considered a commute by the IRS and therefore not eligible for reimbursement). • For itinerant staff assigned to multiple buildings – mileage is reimbursed from assigned Agency Center to site (or home to site – whichever is less) • Mileage driven between first and last assignments is reimbursed. • Mileage from the assigned Agency Center to and from home is not to be reimbursed (considered a commute).

11. ….Timelines for claims…. • Employees are advised to submit claims on a monthly basis – by last working day of each month. • Claims submitted more than 6 months after expenses incurred are not eligible for reimbursement. • Payment for approved claims is made the second Wednesday of each month.

12. LEAVE FORMS • Employee Leave Form • Professional Leave Request • Professional Leave Reimbursement Form • Agency Directed Travel Request

13. EMPLOYEE LEAVE FORMS • Used for absences that occur on scheduled work day • Leave types include personal leave, emergency leave, illness (personal or family), bereavement, jury duty and leave without pay. • Report absence to Secretary • Leave forms to be completed online at https://business.gwaea.org/cfapps/gwess/Login.cfm?dist=9210 • Tip sheet for completing online leave forms is available by clicking on the blue question mark at top of the leave form web page. • For scheduled absences, leave form to be completed prior to absence for RA/supervisor approval • For unscheduled absences, leave form to be submitted immediately upon return to work (no later than one week following absence)** • Upon approval of the leave request, employee will receive email from the leave system and an online record will be created

14. PROFESSIONAL LEAVE REQUEST • To promote and support professional growth • Must be job-related and timely application is required* • Request to be completed, submitted, and received by Region Secretary 15 Agency Days prior to event • Upon approval by RA/Supervisor, request is submitted for executive approval • Executive approval to employee within 10 Agency days

15. ….Professional Leave Request…. Contracted Staff • For eligible purchases listed in the Master Contract (professional journals, books, computer software and DVD’s/CD’s), purchases must be made by March 1, are treated as taxable income and paid through payroll. Up to $400 per work year may be reimbursed for these items. • Employees may request reimbursement for technology equipment/ materials that are not already provided by the Agency. Employees are to attach with the request a written explanation of job-related need for the requested item. Upon approval, purchases must be made by March 1, are treated as taxable income and are paid through payroll. Up to $150 per work year may be reimbursed for these approved purchases. • When professional leave monies are used for tuition reimbursement, the coursework is not eligible for salary lane change advancement.

16. ….Professional Leave Request…. • To be eligible for reimbursement, approved equipment and materials are to be purchased no later than March 1, or at least 3 months prior to leaving the Agency, whichever is first. • The March 1 timeline is also a consideration for other expenses (including conferences, license fees and professional dues), and these requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. • The March 1 timeline helps to establish the job-related nature of expense. • Total amount of request is not to exceed the balance available at the time expense was incurred.

17. PROFESSIONAL LEAVEREIMBURSEMENT FORM • Employee makes personal payment for approved activities and expenses • After event, employee submits completed form (signed and dated) to Region Secretary for supervisor approval. • Employee is to attach necessary receipts. (Meals and mileage do NOT require receipts.)

18. AGENCY DIRECTED TRAVEL • Travel is directed by RA/Supervisor (specify if travel is directed by someone other than own RA/Supervisor) • Travel form available online at:https://business.gwaea.org/cfapps/gwess/Login.cfm?dist=9210 • Complete and submit form at least 5 days prior to departure • Approval required before departure • Expenses submitted on electronic claim system

19. …Agency directed travel… • Overnight stays may be approved for business travel when meetings extend beyond one work day or for evening travel when a 1-day meeting begins before 8:30am. • For Agency business travel in the Des Moines area, both agency-directed and professional leave travel, employees are to stay at one of the 4 approved hotels in the Des Moines/Ames area. • When contacting hotel for reservations, employee is to notify hotel you are with GWAEA for the $50 state rate. • Contact Region Secretary for list of approved hotels and assistance with payment related to lodging expenses.

20. Supplies/Materials Requests • It’s important to ensure appropriate use of public funds. • The primary option for office supplies/materials is to obtain needed items through the normal purchasing process through the Region Secretary:  a) purchase orders and b) online orders through the competitive pricing vendors. • Paper products are not to be supplied for internal staff meetings. These meeting expenses are to follow same guidelines as food items (only allowed to use Agency funds if a registration fee covers costs or when 50% of attendees are LEA or non-GWAEA staff). • Toner/inkjet cartridges are only to be supplied for Agency-owned printers (those housed at an Agency Center or LEA).

21. Purchase Order Requests • For general office supplies, contact your Region Secretary • For other items, work with Region Secretary to initiate a PO request • Provide needed information regarding purchase • Submit purchase request to Region Secretary for supervisor approval • Upon approval, Region Secretary will initiate purchase order or online order as appropriate.

22. AGENCY CLOSINGS • If an Agency Center closes for emergency purposes, a voice mail message notification will be sent to all staff voice mail boxes. • In addition, staff will be alerted through the SchoolReach automated telephone system through cell and/or home phone numbers as provided by employees. • When an Agency Center closes, employees are to discuss with their supervisor options for making up work time missed during the closing. Options may include: • Calendar change • Emergency leave • Personal leave • Leave without pay

23. .…Agency Closings…. • Contracted Staff may also have option to use comp time previously earned and approved by supervisor. • Full-time Classified Staff may also have option to use vacation, work a longer day within the 7-day pay cycle or make up the work time on a weekend. • Requests for making up the work time (calendar change, leave, adjusted schedule, etc.) are subject to supervisor approval.

24. TIME SHEETS • CONTRACTED: Time sheets are used only when you are a new employee to the agency and your contract has not yet been signed or for added days or Teacher Quality • CLASSIFIED: Use online Payroll Time Card System • Employees are to enter time worked on a daily basis. • Employees are to certify their weekly timecards by the end of their work day on Friday each week. • Employees are to obtain prior supervisor approval for any change in the regular work schedule.

25. COMP TIME Contracted Staff • Employees are contracted for a professional service that often does not lend itself to a specifically-defined day. • Employees are to provide weekly schedule information to the supervisor (this info is to include work locations). • Comp time may be earned when there’s a need for staff to work outside of Agency business hours for directserviceclient interactions. • Common examples for earning comp time include IEP meetings, parent/community meetings, CISM support, presentations/ workshops beyond the workday, client visits that occur over the week-end, etc. • Time not spent directly with clients, such as office activities, paperwork, reports, professional reading, etc. is not eligible for earning comp time.

26. Comp Time, continued • In order to earn and use comp time, employee is to notify supervisor of need to provide services off-hours on the weekly schedule or contact supervisor before working off-hours activity to request approval. • Email notice is encouraged for documenting the comp time request and the supervisor approval. • If employees are unable to notify their supervisor ahead of time of the need to provide services off-hours, supervisor may consider request when received and approval will depend on the circumstances. It’s important employees give notice as soon as possible. • When employees provide advance notice of the request and no response is received from the supervisor before the off-hours services are to be provided, then tacit approval has been granted to earn the comp time.

27. Comp Time, continued • Comp time is to be earned and used in increments of 30 minutes. • As general rule, comp time is to be taken in same year it was earned. • While not required, best practice would encourage employees to balance the professional time provided to their clients when using comp time (if comp time was earned with Client A then consider using the comp time for Client A to the extent possible). • No more than 16 hours of comp time are to be used consecutively. • Additional comp time guidance and scenario references jointly developed by the Agency and Association are available at http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/intranet/docs/comp_time_scenarios_Jan%202012.pdf

28. Comp Time, continued Classified Staff • Any change from regular schedule requires prior supervisor approval. • Assigned work in excess of 40 hours per week is considered overtime. • Employees may be granted comp time in lieu of overtime. • As general rule, comp time is to be taken in same year it was earned.

29. EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR • Provide data at conclusion of service • Collect data 9 weeks following service • Need measurable baseline • EYSE conferences by February or March • Consider summer options for services (calendar change 1 day = 8 hours) • Frequency, Duration, Location

30. POLICIES & PROCEDURES Conflict of Interest • The Board is committed to assuring Agency employees provide services to clients for which they are eligible. • Conflict of interest is of special concern when an employee provides services privately that are provided by the Agency. • To ensure no real or perceived conflict of interest, employees are not to: • act as an agent or dealer for the sale of textbooks or other school supplies; • participate in outside activities where their position on the staff is used to sell goods or services to students or to parents served by the Agency; • engage in outside work or activities where the source of information concerning the customer, client or employer originates from information obtained because of the employee’s position with the Agency; or • engage in any outside employment or activity that is in conflict with the employee’s official duties and responsibilities.

31. Policies and Procedures, cont’d Secondary Employment • An annual request form for any outside, secondary employment is to be submitted to ensure the other employment is not 1) interfering with Agency job responsibilities, 2) occurring on Agency time, 3) using Agency materials or resources or 4) replacing or interfering with Agency services. • When employees teach a class through the Agency’s Professional Development Office, this is considered Agency employment and there is no need for a secondary employment request to be submitted for these situations.

32. Policies and Procedures, cont’d • In the event of a work-related injury or bloodborne exposure, employee is to: • Notify supervisor and business services (x6706) within 24 hours of the injury. • Seek medical attention, if necessary. Employees may go to health care practitioner/facility of their choice. Inform provider that injury is work related. • Home Visit Safety Issues

33. NAME BADGES • Required in all Agency Centers and when conducting Agency business • Helpful to others • Ensures safety and security for staff and children • Supports school policies as well

34. STUDENT RECORDS ACCESS North • Virginia Smelser, Records Technician 399-6814 South • Angela Krejci, Secretary 358-6211

35. Records Access Procedures • Must have a legitimate educational interest to review records • Contact Virginia or Angela via phone, email or in person to obtain records • Virginia or Angela will document that you have reviewed the record or been given a copy • Return records promptly in person (not via van mail) • Remember that everything in the record is confidential – treat it accordingly (do not leave out on your desk, in your car or in a building)

36. Northern Facility Alburnett Anamosa Benton Cedar Rapids public and parochial Center Point-Urbana Central City College Community Linn-Mar Lisbon Marion Midland Monticello Mount Vernon North Cedar North Linn Olin Solon Springville Tipton Vinton-Shellsburg West Branch Southern Facility Belle Plaine Clear Creek-Amana Deep River-Millersburg Highland HLV Iowa City Iowa Valley Lone Tree Mid-Prairie Washington Williamsburg Student Records Locations

37. GRANT OPPORTUNITIES • Before initiating grant application, important to communicate and work with supervisor and Business Manager (x6704) • When a grant has been approved for funding, a project manager is identified, an account number is assigned and financial activity is monitored by the project manager. • Budget changes may only be made according to grant guidelines and within the period authorized by the grant (same school year of the activity). • Status reports required by the funding source are typically the responsibility of the project manager and financial reporting is to be coordinated with the Business Manager.

38. SALARY LANE CHANGES • Contracted staff may advance their placement on the salary schedule by completing approved graduate hours beyond their degree • Employees are advised to submit application to their supervisor before taking coursework to be sure coursework has been approved for salary purposes • Approved semester hours for lane change are to be completed by September 1 • Evidence of completing approved hours to be submitted to HR Office by October 1

39. ….Salary Lane Changes…. • Salary lane changes are presented to Board at October meeting and change is retroactive to beginning of work year • If hours completed and submitted before the 2nd Wed of August, it’s possible lane change may be presented at the August Board meeting rather than October and included in first paycheck • If lane change application has been submitted, HR Office sends annual notices of employee progress towards lane change

40. Job or Assignment Openings • Staff who wish to be considered for an assignment to work in a different region within their current job category or who wish to be considered for an opening in a different job category than their current position may check opportunities posted on the “Staff Openings” tab of the Staff Website. • The online posting is available at http://www.gwaea.org/staffWebsite/GWAEAstaffIndex.html • Assignments and/or job openings are posted on a daily basis as they become available. Each opening is posted for a period of five (5) Agency days. • Employees interested in actively seeking other Agency opportunities are advised to check the posting at least one time each week to avoid missing a timeline for applying for the opening. • The internal staff postings are not to be confused with the employment information posted weekly for public information under “Job Openings” on the home page of the Agency web site. Staff need only to check the daily postings under “Staff Openings” for current info.

41. Employee Information Resources • Master Agreement for Contracted Staff • http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/intranet/docs/contractedagreement12-13.pdf • Master Agreement for Classified Staff • http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/intranet/docs/classifiedagreement12-13.pdf • Business and HR Procedures Manual • www.aea10.k12.ia.us/intranet/busprocemanual.pdf • Board Policy Manual • www.aea10.k12.ia.us/policy/policysearch.cfm • The Bulletin Board(Agency’s primary vehicle for internal communications) • http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/intranet/bbrd.html