ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008 Southeast Service Cooperative 210 Wood Lake Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904 Phone (507) 288-1282, Fax (507) 288-7663 www.ssc.coop To Our Members, Associates and Friends, 2007-2008 was another productive, memorable year at SSC. We made notable progress on our strategic plan, which has become an ever-evolving, living document that guides and documents our progress. We have added new staff members, allowing us to continue to provide high-quality programs and services. We have focused on ways to better communicate with you so that you take full advantage of what your service cooperative has to offer. And, we have continued to identify new ways to meet your needs. We had an exciting year and we reached many of our goals. Some highlights include: • We were awarded the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. • We updated our conference center and introduced the Wood Lake Meeting Center. • We welcomed several new member organizations. • We continued to stabilize our health insurance rates among most groups. • We maintained financial integrity across all budget areas. • We launched new programs and services in direct response to your expressed needs. We recognize that we are here to serve you. The coming year will focus on ensuring that we are doing just that as we seek your input and assessment. Our members make successful cooperation happen. In this year’s annual report, we expanded our report format to re-introduce you to your staff and Board so that we become familiar faces. We are happy to help you and are always interested to hear from you. We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to everyone that we collaborated with in 2007-2008! Suzanne Riley, SSC Executive Director Page 1 Our Mission Driven by the needs of our members, we provide sup- port, services, and solutions that increase value, maxi- mize resources, and promote continuous improvement. To this end, we aim to be a: · Model of successful collaboration. · Purchasing network to save members money. · Regional resource to enhance learning.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008
Southeast Service Cooperative 210 Wood Lake Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone (507) 288-1282, Fax (507) 288-7663
www.ssc.coop
To Our Members, Associates and Friends, 2007-2008 was another productive, memorable year at SSC. We made notable progress on our strategic plan, which has become an ever-evolving, living document that guides and documents our progress. We have added new staff members, allowing us to continue to provide high-quality programs and services. We have focused on ways to better communicate with you so that you take full advantage of what your service cooperative has to offer. And, we have continued to identify new ways to meet your needs. We had an exciting year and we reached many of our goals. Some highlights include: • We were awarded the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. • We updated our conference center and introduced the Wood Lake Meeting Center. • We welcomed several new member organizations. • We continued to stabilize our health insurance rates among most groups. • We maintained financial integrity across all budget areas. • We launched new programs and services in direct response to your expressed needs. We recognize that we are here to serve you. The coming year will focus on ensuring that we are doing just that as we seek your input and assessment. Our members make successful cooperation happen. In this year’s annual report, we expanded our report format to re-introduce you to your staff and Board so that we become familiar faces. We are happy to help you and are always interested to hear from you. We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to everyone that we collaborated with in 2007-2008!
Suzanne Riley, SSC Executive Director
Page 1 Page 12
Our Mission Driven by the needs of our members, we provide sup-port, services, and solutions that increase value, maxi-mize resources, and promote continuous improvement. To this end, we aim to be a: · Model of successful collaboration. · Purchasing network to save members money. · Regional resource to enhance learning.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT GOALS
• We will continually evaluate services and operations using formative and summative assessment strategies that will inform needed modifications to improve performance.
• We will continually evaluate the alignment of staffing resources with operations and programs. We will ensure that employees have the resources they need to strengthen their knowledge, skills, abilities, and other assets that contribute to SSC success.
• We will proactively involve the Board of Directors, the Administrative Advisory Committee, and others in our planning process and greater continuous improvement process.
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP GOALS
We will continuously seek new opportunities to develop and maintain business, government, education, and community partnerships that result in added value and benefit for our members. NEEDS ASSESSMENT GOALS
• We will solidify our needs assessment process by detailing a) what we want to know, b) who we want to survey, c) what assessment tool(s) we should use, and d) what priorities we should establish.
• We will collect needs assessment data from 80% of all school principals at member school buildings. • We will collect needs assessment data from other school member audiences (to be determined from principal
suggestions) at member school sites. • We will have determined and deployed a process to bring superintendents into the process. • We will collect needs assessment data from 75% of target city and county member organizations. MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS GOALS
• We will ensure clear, thorough, timely, and relevant member communications using diverse dissemination methods to increase member awareness and response.
• We will collect targeted contact information for school districts, city staff, county staff, and selected non-profit organizations.
• SSC communications, including website, newsletters, e-briefings, organizational and program literature, will be consistent, high quality, and informative.
• We will schedule annual visits with each member and capitalize on our time in districts to inquire about member usage and for other purposes.
• We will become more knowledgeable about operations and structure of city and county governance. MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT GOALS
• We will review progress, set additional goals and action items, and determine whether this marketing consultant should be retained to assist with the development of a formal marketing plan that outlines strategies for organizational marketing and promotion of specific programs and services.
• We will create organization-wide marketing and communication guidelines to ensure consistent communications with our members and the public.
• We will identify and recruit prospective members, including education (traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, higher education), government, and non-profit organizations for SSC membership.
• SSC will have a comprehensive organizational marketing plan. • We will regularly evaluate and document staff responsibilities. OPERATIONS GOALS • We will maintain strong fiscal health through efficient and effective operations (facilities, technology, finances, and
policies). • We will develop a contingency plan to guide us in the event of the loss of a major service.
Looking Forward … Organizational Goals
Purchased a Walking Workstation. Invented by the Mayo Clinic’s own Dr. James A. Levine, the workstation added a whole new dimension to SSC’s workplace wellness initiative. Walking on the station at a very slow rate of 1.5 miles per hour, for only 5 minutes per hour, for 6 hours, burns more calories than working out at an aerobic level for 45 minutes. SSC staff are encouraged to schedule time at workstation, where they have network access to their files and can work just as efficiently as they could from their desk, but with the added benefit of exercise! Set an Example of Worksite Wellness. Making wellness a part of their workplace experience is not something the SSC staff just talk about, it is something they actively participate in, and enjoy. We developed a committee and created staff wellness activities and friendly competitions to encourage awareness. Employee Assistance Program. We continued to offer this program through LifeWorks.
Health Insurance Pools We continue to administer two health insurance pools (one for schools and one for local government), promote VEBA plans, and offer dental programs, disease management programs, life insurance, LTD insurance, long term care insurance, and personal insurance options. • Offered training in compliance issues. • Continued to manage the pool using best practices in
addressing healthcare costs. • Both health insurance pools reached financially healthy
positions. • In collaboration with other Service Cooperative pools,
we achieved above national average for groups moving to consumer driven health plans.
• SSC Staff changed their insurance plan to a higher deductible to be a leading model of good healthcare consumerism.
• We retained insurance consultant Bill Colopoulos, with his expertise in underwriting, pharmacy, and pool management, for individual group consulting as well as pool planning and development.
• Fitness center discounts, a free nurseline, and indi-vidualized health support continued as health insur-ance pools features.
Health and Worksite Wellness Assistance included these benefits and features: EmbodyHealth, featuring the Mayo Clinic Health Risk Assessment. This online program provided up-to-date nutrition, fitness, and healthy lifestyle information, ability to ask a specialist, information on common dis-eases, videos and customized content. Last year, we offered this tool free to SSC health pool members. Funding Opportunities for Members. SSC awarded funding to groups through for a Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Worksite Initiative Grant in partnership with the MN Department of Health. Low Cost Health Promotion Incentive Items. SSC purchased incentive items in volume at low cost and passed on the savings to members. Worksite Wellness Support Program. We continue to serve groups through health risk assessments and program planning such as wellness incentive items, wellness resources, health fairs, and cholesterol and triglyceride screening.
Bill Colopoulos Insurance Consultant
(507) 281-6690 [email protected]
Provides technical assistance, support, and guidance for
benefit services programs to health insurance pools and groups.
Katie Cunningham Program Assistant
(507) 281-6667 [email protected]
Supports organizational programs and services and processes dental claims.
Amy Grover Program and Planning Manager
(507) 281-6693 [email protected]
Coordinates strategic planning, marketing strategies, program
development, and grant projects.
Chris Hancock Accounting Assistant
(507) 281-6671 [email protected]
Provides support for accounting tasks and assists with cooperative
purchasing activities.
Lesley Hauser School Improvement Consultant
(507) 281-6660 [email protected]
Provides technical assistance in school improvement planning and
professional development.
Heidi Knepper School Improvement Coordinator
(507) 281-6669 [email protected]
Provides technical assistance in school improvement planning and
professional development.
Suzanne Riley Executive Director (507) 281-6673 [email protected]
Directs organizational planning and development, analyzes member
needs, guides staff in service plan-ning and delivery, develops policies,
and manages administrative and benefit services programs.
Dale Walston Director of Operations
(507) 281-6675 [email protected]
Oversees fiscal, building, and internal technology
operations and manages cooperative purchasing and other
administrative, insurance, and technological services.
SSC Staff & Consultants
”Supporting your mission … meeting your needs”
Page 11 Page 2
The Year in Review … Benefit Services
The Year in Review … Other Highlights • Staff volunteered for with the United Way following
the Rushford flood. • Welcomed our first summer internship. • SSC was recognized by United Way for an increase
in annual giving by our staff members. • Superintendent Robert (Bob) Kelly was honored with
an Outstanding Service Award. • Superintendent Dave Thompson was honored with
the MASA 1 Regional Administrator of Excellence Award.
• Welcomed two new Board members. • SSC paid tribute to Joe Pries, who retired after 24
years of service to our organization.
Kari Kubicek Program Coordinator
(507) 281-6668 [email protected]
Coordinates health and wellness, the Teaching American History
project, and the YAYA Conference.
Kirsten Kuehl Instructional Services Coordinator
(507) 281-6670 [email protected]
Coordinates student academic programs and oversees other
instructional services and staff.
Nicole LaChapelle Program Assistant (507) 281-6674
Assists with marketing and communications and supports the Teaching American History project.
Dick Riley Program Assistant (507) 281-6666 [email protected]
Supports meeting center activities and facility maintenance, and
provides general support services.
Shelley Rinkel Technology Trainer
(507) 281-6672 [email protected]
Develops and delivers hands-on training for technology integration, including SMART Board workshops, and worksite improvement topics.
Diane Schwinghammer Lead School Improvement
Coordinator (507) 281-6683
Leads planning and delivery of technical assistance in school improvement planning and professional development.
Bob Tweten Health and Safety Manager
(507) 281-6663 [email protected]
Provides compliance assistance and coordinates annual training as well
as mock OSHA walk-throughs.
SSC was proud to be selected to receive the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for
Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility.
The prestigious Sloan Awards recognize organizations that are dedicated to making work “work” for both the employer and the employees by offering excellent workplace flexibility practices and using flexibility as a strategic tool to enhance organizational effectiveness and benefit employees.
Page 3 Page 10
Cooperative Purchasing Program Updates. We transitioned much of the “back office” support for Cooperative Purchasing such as vendor communication, website and bidding to Lakes Country Service Cooperative under a new, even more efficient statewide umbrella. Volume increased from last year, giving us greater price leveraging capacity, and we expanded the segments. Products and services included in 2007-08 purchasing in-cluded:
• Audio & audiovisual • Building • Bulbs • Computer recycling • Copier bid program • Copy paper • Microsoft software • Mobile phone services • Office supplies • Playground equipment • School supplies • Technology & software • Tools • Vehicles
Environmental Health and Safety Updates. Health and safety training sessions and mock OSHA walk-through inspections helped members avoid citations and fines. Assistance was provided to each member in projecting needs and maximizing health and safety levy funds.
A contract with Coastal Learning provided affordable delivery and tracking of online health and safety and other online training for staff in member organizations.
In an SSC contract with consulting firm Institute for Environmental Assessment, members saved money and ensured high quality performance and completion of facility projects. IEA continued its scholarship program for SSC members’ students. IEA also launched a Hazardous Mate-rials in Child Accessible Products Program (Lead in Toys). Cash Flow Borrowing. SSC members continue to receive assistance, expertise, and a choice in the cash flow borrowing process. Along with Springsted, Inc., we provide services through the Minnesota Tax and Aid Anticipation Borrowing Pool (MNTAAB). Over 92% of users rated their overall experience with the pool at Excellent or Above Average.
The Year in Review … Administrative Services
Purchased a New Laptop Lab. Since the set of 24 Dell laptops that we had offered for rental to member organizations met with high demand, we acquired an addi-tional wireless mobile laptop lab. Our new mobile laptop lab features 24 brand new, high capacity IBM
ThinkPad computers. Each set of 12 is safely packed in two travel trunks for member usage. The laptops are de-signed to meet the short-term technology needs of SSC member staff for professional development purposes and for learning activities. CompuSwap and Asset Recovery Program. These services continued to bring refreshed computers to member schools and disposal of unusable equipment. Last year, SSC coordinated a 6 district surplus equipment giveaway.
The Year in Review … General Operations • Increased our public school membership to 100%.
• Renovated and rented extra building space.
• Coordinated a Board strategic planning retreat.
• Hosted MASBO, SEMTEC, and SEMNET meetings and provided server space for SEMTEC’s website.
• Hosted a Chamber of Commerce AM Espresso and became more active in other Chamber activities.
• Added staff to the necessary level to ensure effi-ciency and to adequately meet member needs.
• MN RETAP (Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program) evaluated the SSC facility.
• Updated our SSC policies and bylaws.
• Improved member communications through electronic e-briefings, improvements to our contact database, and redesigning our website to be more user-friendly and easier to find information.
Governance
Mitch Lentz, Chair - Mitch has served on the Kingsland Public School Board for the past 14 years. A manager at IBM, Mitch and his wife are the parents of two sons. They live on their farm in Spring Valley.
Tom Heise, Treasurer - Tom has been a board member for Pine Island school district for the past 12 years. He is an engineering manager for IBM. He and his wife are the parents of three daughters.
Don Andring - A member of the Dover-Eyota School Board for the past 11 years, Don also runs his dairy farm and electrical contracting business. He and his wife of 34 years are the parents of eight children.
Mike Hammes - Mike has been a member of the Zumbrota-Mazeppa School Board for the past 15 years. He is a quality control technician at Land O’ Lakes Inc. He and his wife have two daughters.
Susan Phillips - Sue has been Freeborn County’s Central Services Supervisor for the past 22 years. She has two step-children, and she and her husband are the grandparents of five boys.
Mark Packard, Vice Chair - Mark has served on the Kasson-Mantorville School Board for 19 years. He is the Inventory Manager at McNelius Steel in Dodge Center. He and his wife have three sons.
Al Cordes, Clerk - Al represents Mower County, and serves as its Human Resource Director. He has served on SSC’s board for the past four years. Al is married and has two daughters.
Carol Cravath - Carol has been on the Plainview-Elgin-Millville School Board for the past four years. Retired from teaching, Carol and her husband have twin sons who live in the Rochester area.
Elizabeth Lawson - Elizabeth has served on the Stewartville School Board for the past nine years. She is a registered dental assistant at the Mayo Clinic. She and her husband have three daughters.
Marcia Ward - Marcia has been a Winona County Commissioner for the past six years. She is a retired business owner, and active sheep farmer. Marcia is married with four children.
Peter Grant, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools Robert Kelly, Triton Public Schools Bruce Klaehn, Dover-Eyota Public Schools Gary Kuphal, Southland Public Schools Myrna Luehmann, Fillmore Central Public Schools
Mike Moriarty, Caledonia Public Schools Todd Sesker, Cannon Falls Public Schools Darrin Strosahl, Kingsland Public Schools Dave Thompson, Stewartville Public Schools Stan Slessor, Red Wing Public Schools
Schools Administrative Advisory Committee
2007-2008 Board of Directors
Page 9 Page 4
MSC Online Learning Project Introduced. This new and excit-ing program was launched last year to provide expanded educational opportunities for all learners, pre-pare students for life and work in the 21st century, promote the avail-
ability of online coursework among consortium members, improve the effectiveness of online learning and assure a quality learning environment for students and teachers. The courseware is provided through the Minnesota Service Cooperative Online Learning Project, an approved online provider with the Minnesota Department of Education.
Led Pilot Program with Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Service Cooperatives. SSC coordinated a statewide grant from the National Governor’s Association that allowed 16 districts to participate in a K-12, math-focused experience combining the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum and Data Retreats.
Young Writers, Young Artists Confer-ence. Over 700 students in grades 4-6, over 100 adult chaperones, and 20 presenters participated in the May 2008 event, Unlock Your Creativity.
Spelling Bee. 75 students in grades 5-8 from 42 school districts competed in the Regional Bee. One of our region’s Spelling Bee winners advanced to the National Spelling Bee to represent our state.
Junior and Senior High Knowledge Bowl. 767 students from 30 districts took part. We were pleased that the program expanded to include more team participation than ever before, at both levels!
Freshwater Society High School Art Competition. In year four of this competition, 22 southeast MN students submitted artwork, and four were selected to take their art work to the state Water is Life scholarship competition, where one won a scholarship!
Competitions and recognition events. In cooperation with other Service Cooperatives and the Center for Academic Excellence, we promoted CyberKnowledge, Future City Competition, The Stock Market Game, Gathering of Champions, WEM Awards.
The Year in Review … Instructional Services
Introduced the 6 A's to a Guaranteed and Viable Cur-riculum Process. After observ-ing other programs and methods, SSC staff developed a six step process to help educators drill down to the benchmark level laid out in the Minnesota Academic Standards and translate them into a guaranteed and viable curriculum. Step 1 “analyzes” the K-12 standards. Step 2 “assigns” action items that will help translate essential benchmarks into actual classroom change. Step 3 “aligns” priorities with the current scope and sequence. Step 4 “articulates” the curriculum into strategies that work. Step 5 “applies” the planning and dialogue by implementing practices in the classroom. Step 6 “assesses” student learning by developing and using balanced assessment tools. This process has proved to be invaluable for the districts that have utilized it. The time for teachers to discuss what happens within their classroom walls is invaluable.
Professional Development Included: • SMART Board Trainings (Basic and Advanced) • Office 2007 Workshops • Gateway to Mastery Seminar • Science Professional Learning Communities • Teaching American History Workshops • Meeting MN Math Standards at the Middle and
High School • High Quality Teacher and Principal Leadership in
High Schools • SCIOP Training • Using Student Assessments • Engaging Elementary Students in Developing
Constructed Math Responses • Preparing Students for the MCA II/GRAD Assess-
ment in Math • Best Practices of Reading Instruction • Book Study: When Kids Can’t Read • Use of the MCA II Educator Portal • Leadership Team Training • ELL Learning Strategies • Using Number and Operations Concepts to Foster
Algebraic Thinking in Grades K-5 • Hazards in the Workplace • Playground Safety • Health and Safety Town Meeting • Legislative Information Sessions • Tax & Levy Certification Session, and more MDE
facilitated training events in instruction.
An elected Board of Directors representing member districts and city/county groups governs us. The Board of Direc-tors appoints an Administrative Advisory Committee consisting of member superintendents who consider proposals for services and programs and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
“I am excited, proud, and honored to be your Southeast Service Cooperative Board Chair. Since joining the Southeast Service Cooperative Board in January 2004, I have consistently noted the dedication and quality of the other Board members and staff. The Service Cooperative remains dedicated to providing the highest services to support administrative and instructional func-tions of our members. Whether the service is instructional, student enrichment, administrative, insurance and benefits, or cooperative purchasing, the Service Cooperative staff focuses on delivering quality assistance. The 2007-2008 year was one of wonderful achievements. I know we will have a great year ahead. Together we can and will do great things for the Service Co-operative and its members.” - Mitch Lentz, SSC Board Chair
Technology Literacy and Integration Grant Pro-ject. We continued coordination for 18 participating dis-tricts that included access to InfoSource, an online profes-sional development program. In order to use technology effectively and efficiently in the classroom, InfoSource Digital Literacy Library offers courses online designed to help teachers, staff, and school officials meet proficiency targets. The project also provided SMART Board training at no cost, and subsidized the development of an online SMART Board user group. Inquiry-Based Science Grant Project. We completed grant activities that were part of a three-year inquiry-based science project for 13 schools in the Rochester Area Math Science Partnership, and involving part-nerships with Hamline University, IBM, WSU, U/M, RCTC, and Mayo Clinic. The primary focus of the final year was on the fa-cilitation of two professional learning communities for sci-ence teachers from participating districts.
Teaching American History Grant Project. We continued activities into the third year of this grant project, serving 95 teachers in 43 districts during the 2007-08 year. The 2007 summer institute for smaller cohort groups included two days of intense
classroom training by recognized experts from the field to increase knowledge in the classroom setting. Two days were spent touring the southwest region of the state, in-cluding a canoe trip down the Minnesota River for the co-hort members to truly experience the sense of place. Seven topical seminars were offered in both the southeast and southwest regions, a History Day Workshop was held in each region, and a cohort networking event was held in early March 2008. This year, one cohort member was se-lected to attend National History Day. Mobile Science Lab Grant Project. A HealthForce Minne-sota grant allowed SSC to equip and coordinate rental of a trailer full of equipment to complement Mayo Clinic’s Molecular Biology course for high school teachers.
2007-2008 Quantified Services Value Administrative Support Services
CompuSwap, Mobile Computer Lab, MNTAAB Program, Wireless discounts, Employee Assistance Program, Health & Safety Management Assistance
$52,949
Instructional and Service Enhancement Programs Special Grant Projects: Teaching American History,
E2T2 InfoSource, Math/Science, MSTA Academy, Math SEC and Data Retreat Projects
AYP Technical Assistance and School Improvement Student Enrichment: Knowledge Bowl, Spelling Bee,
Young Authors/Young Artists Conference, Freshwater Society HS Art Competition, Future City
Wood Lake Meeting Center Professional Development
$437,809 $310,995
$107,955 $633
$125,550 Environmental Health and Safety Management (EHSM) $39,946 Health Insurance and Risk Management $1,742,964 Cooperative Purchasing $193,443 Total Estimated Gross Value $3,012,244 Less Membership Fees —$76,493 Net Value to our Member Organizations $2,935,751
Percent Return on Investment 3838%
Page 5 Page 8
Member Participation and Benefit Value Each member organization receives an aggregate report of all member usage of SSC programs and services. Statistics drawn from SSC records – financial and participation data – are translated as dollar values. This chart illustrates the collective value derived through those programs that we quantified. Each member organization will also receive an individualized report about its staff’s use of services and the value derived from SSC membership. Contact us with questions!
Member Organizations (2008-2009)
Education: Albert Lea Austin Austin Catholic Schools Blooming Prairie Byron Caledonia Cannon Falls Chatfield Dover-Eyota Faribault Fillmore Central Glenville-Emmons Goodhue Goodhue County Ed. District Grand Meadow Hayfield Hiawatha Valley Ed. District Houston Kasson-Mantorville Kenyon-Wanamingo Kingsland
LaCrescent-Hokah Lake City Lanesboro LeRoy-Ostrander Lewiston Lyle Mabel-Canton Medford Minnesota State Academies Northfield Owatonna Pine Island Plainview-Elgin-Millville Randolph Red Wing Rochester Rochester Catholic Rushford-Peterson Southland Spring Grove St. Charles St. Mary's (Owatonna)
Stewartville Triton Wabasha-Kellogg Winona Winona Diocese Zumbro Education District Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cities: City of Blooming Prairie City of Byron City of Dodge Center City of Harmony City of Kasson City of LaCrescent City of Mabel City of Mantorville City of Preston City of Spring Grove Counties: Dodge County
Fillmore County Freeborn County Houston County Mower County Steele County Wabasha County Winona County Other Government Agencies: Austin Housing and Redevelopment Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District Owatonna Public Utilities Rice/Steele 911 Non-Profits: Channel One, Inc. Child Care Resource and Referral
The Year in Review … Instructional Services
MSTA Math Academies Grant Project. The southeast regional academy, PASCaL (Premise: All Students Can Learn) Cohort, provides ongoing training based on the statewide focus of algebra connected to numbers for math teachers in grades 6-8. Activities include summer acad-emies, peer coaching, lesson development, and profes-sional learning communities. The goal is to create internal capacity at the district level to use these teachers to effec-tively implement changes in curriculum and instruction. AYP-School Improvement Program. Through a collaboration with Minnesota Department of Education, this program continues to support schools and districts on the “needs improvement” list by supporting planning for high qual-ity professional development, pre-paring team leaders to train col-leagues, and providing support as they analyze and trian-gulate various data to develop improvement plans. This year, one of the schools receiving AYP technical assistance through SSC came off the AYP list and many showed sig-nificant improvement. And you reported back to us that this model of support was working for you. Professional Development Offerings Enhanced and Popular. We developed greater capacity to assist edu-cators with curriculum and pro-fessional development and in-structional enhancement, in-cluding the following: Curriculum Mapping, Data Retreat Facilitation, Leadership Team Training, MBTI: Introduction to Type, NWEA Training, and Office Communication Skills. Non-education focused training programs were hosted for chief administrators, board members, city and county staff, health and safety professionals, and office management staff.
New Technology Trainings. Newly developed workshops were made available in technology use and integration using SMART Boards and Office 2007. Online resources were also introduced as an enhancement.
SSC’s 2007-2008 fiscal audit summarizes revenues and expenditures by program. These pie charts illustrate sources of revenues and percentages of expense categories. The fiscal audit report can be downloaded at www.ssc.coop.
Operations/Program Fund Revenue Expense
General Administrative 153,127 181,648
Wood Lake Meeting Center 12,274 58,160
Benefit Services 33,985 25,401
AYP-School Improvement Yrs 1-2 309,942 309,856
Teaching American History 254,741 254,705
E2T2 Technology Training 44,029 44,029
Inquiry-Based Science 101,044 101,030
Math SEC-Data Retreat Project 105,280 105,280
Health & Safety Mgmt Assistance 32,369 26,819
Environ Health & Safety Mgmt 37,846 39,547
Cooperative Purchasing 55,152 21,984
Instructional Services 47,745 40,459
Student Academics 81,240 75,092
Adjustment to Accrual 0 57,832
Operating Income/Loss 1,279,261 1,352,329
Non-Operating Revenues/Expenses 35,367
Increase/Decrease in Net Assets 1,417,959
Health Insurance - Enterprise Fund Revenue Expense
School Pool 27,492,993 25,460,728
CCOGA Pool 13,865,757 13,117,901
Operating Fund (fees & grants) 892,611 611,640
Total Revenues 42,251,361 39,190,269
Operating Income 3,061,092
Non-Operating Revenues/Expenses 334,749
Increase/Decrease in Net Assets 3,395,841
MSTA Academy—Math PD Project 5,256 5,256
Surveys Enacted Curriculum MDE Project 5,231 5,231
Fees from patrons 13%
Grants 33%
Sales and other conversion of
assets 4%
Administrative fees 36%
Interest income 15%
Revenues (less health premiums) 7/1/07 - 6/30/08
Fees from patrons, 29%
Grants, 8%Sales and other conversion of assets, 37%
Administrative fees, 2%
Interest income, 3% , 2%
, 5%
, 7%
, 1%
, 0.6% , 3%, 3%
Expenses (less health premiums) 7/1/07 - 6/30/08
Page 7 Page 6
Financial Picture A New Option for Meeting Space
A visible accomplishment this year was the introduction of a new and improved conference center space. This will allow us to better meet the needs of our members and to offer training and meeting events in a more professional atmosphere. It is available to members at a reduced rental rate.
Wood Lake Meeting Center offers:
• Seven rooms available for meetings and training events ranging from 6 to 60 people.
• Several rooms include overhead LCD projectors. • Several rooms are equipped with a SMART Board
interactive whiteboard which enables the trainer to access and control computer-based information and display it on the screen simply by pressing on the interactive whiteboard's touch-sensitive surface. Just walk up and touch the screen.
• Senteo audience response system (clicker voting equipment) available for use with SMART Board.
• Wireless laptops with Internet connectivity available. • High-speed wireless internet throughout space. Meeting rooms offer convenient amenities including:
• Catering, Coffee, Water, Juice, and Soda • Easy Access to Lodging and Dining • Comfortable Seating • Registration Area • Online Registration and Other Support Services • Free Parking • Personalized Room Set-Up • Discounts for Multiple Bookings
Upgrades Included: • Repainted walls with a fresh coat of paint. • Removed outdated wallpaper borders. • Improved indoor and outdoor signage. • Replaced the carpet in the lobby. • Improved lighting in the meeting rooms. • Renovated the Birch Room to a meeting room
and added a SMART Board and projector. • Replaced sinks and improved restroom lights. • Improved the ambience with contemporary
décor and new framed artwork. • Added comfortable seating areas. • Replaced chairs in meeting rooms. • Upgraded equipment and supplies as needed. • Installed a dishwasher so that we could use
coffee mugs instead of Styrofoam. • Replaced the pop machine with one that
saves energy and is more eco-friendly. • Developed new marketing materials. • Created www.woodlakemeetingcenter.com.
SSC’s 2007-2008 fiscal audit summarizes revenues and expenditures by program. These pie charts illustrate sources of revenues and percentages of expense categories. The fiscal audit report can be downloaded at www.ssc.coop.
Operations/Program Fund Revenue Expense
General Administrative 153,127 181,648
Wood Lake Meeting Center 12,274 58,160
Benefit Services 33,985 25,401
AYP-School Improvement Yrs 1-2 309,942 309,856
Teaching American History 254,741 254,705
E2T2 Technology Training 44,029 44,029
Inquiry-Based Science 101,044 101,030
Math SEC-Data Retreat Project 105,280 105,280
Health & Safety Mgmt Assistance 32,369 26,819
Environ Health & Safety Mgmt 37,846 39,547
Cooperative Purchasing 55,152 21,984
Instructional Services 47,745 40,459
Student Academics 81,240 75,092
Adjustment to Accrual 0 57,832
Operating Income/Loss 1,279,261 1,352,329
Non-Operating Revenues/Expenses 35,367
Increase/Decrease in Net Assets 1,417,959
Health Insurance - Enterprise Fund Revenue Expense
School Pool 27,492,993 25,460,728
CCOGA Pool 13,865,757 13,117,901
Operating Fund (fees & grants) 892,611 611,640
Total Revenues 42,251,361 39,190,269
Operating Income 3,061,092
Non-Operating Revenues/Expenses 334,749
Increase/Decrease in Net Assets 3,395,841
MSTA Academy—Math PD Project 5,256 5,256
Surveys Enacted Curriculum MDE Project 5,231 5,231
Fees from patrons 13%
Grants 33%
Sales and other conversion of
assets 4%
Administrative fees 36%
Interest income 15%
Revenues (less health premiums) 7/1/07 - 6/30/08
Fees from patrons, 29%
Grants, 8%Sales and other conversion of assets, 37%
Administrative fees, 2%
Interest income, 3% , 2%
, 5%
, 7%
, 1%
, 0.6% , 3%, 3%
Expenses (less health premiums) 7/1/07 - 6/30/08
Page 7 Page 6
Financial Picture A New Option for Meeting Space
A visible accomplishment this year was the introduction of a new and improved conference center space. This will allow us to better meet the needs of our members and to offer training and meeting events in a more professional atmosphere. It is available to members at a reduced rental rate.
Wood Lake Meeting Center offers:
• Seven rooms available for meetings and training events ranging from 6 to 60 people.
• Several rooms include overhead LCD projectors. • Several rooms are equipped with a SMART Board
interactive whiteboard which enables the trainer to access and control computer-based information and display it on the screen simply by pressing on the interactive whiteboard's touch-sensitive surface. Just walk up and touch the screen.
• Senteo audience response system (clicker voting equipment) available for use with SMART Board.
• Wireless laptops with Internet connectivity available. • High-speed wireless internet throughout space. Meeting rooms offer convenient amenities including:
• Catering, Coffee, Water, Juice, and Soda • Easy Access to Lodging and Dining • Comfortable Seating • Registration Area • Online Registration and Other Support Services • Free Parking • Personalized Room Set-Up • Discounts for Multiple Bookings
Upgrades Included: • Repainted walls with a fresh coat of paint. • Removed outdated wallpaper borders. • Improved indoor and outdoor signage. • Replaced the carpet in the lobby. • Improved lighting in the meeting rooms. • Renovated the Birch Room to a meeting room
and added a SMART Board and projector. • Replaced sinks and improved restroom lights. • Improved the ambience with contemporary
décor and new framed artwork. • Added comfortable seating areas. • Replaced chairs in meeting rooms. • Upgraded equipment and supplies as needed. • Installed a dishwasher so that we could use
coffee mugs instead of Styrofoam. • Replaced the pop machine with one that
saves energy and is more eco-friendly. • Developed new marketing materials. • Created www.woodlakemeetingcenter.com.
Technology Literacy and Integration Grant Pro-ject. We continued coordination for 18 participating dis-tricts that included access to InfoSource, an online profes-sional development program. In order to use technology effectively and efficiently in the classroom, InfoSource Digital Literacy Library offers courses online designed to help teachers, staff, and school officials meet proficiency targets. The project also provided SMART Board training at no cost, and subsidized the development of an online SMART Board user group. Inquiry-Based Science Grant Project. We completed grant activities that were part of a three-year inquiry-based science project for 13 schools in the Rochester Area Math Science Partnership, and involving part-nerships with Hamline University, IBM, WSU, U/M, RCTC, and Mayo Clinic. The primary focus of the final year was on the fa-cilitation of two professional learning communities for sci-ence teachers from participating districts.
Teaching American History Grant Project. We continued activities into the third year of this grant project, serving 95 teachers in 43 districts during the 2007-08 year. The 2007 summer institute for smaller cohort groups included two days of intense
classroom training by recognized experts from the field to increase knowledge in the classroom setting. Two days were spent touring the southwest region of the state, in-cluding a canoe trip down the Minnesota River for the co-hort members to truly experience the sense of place. Seven topical seminars were offered in both the southeast and southwest regions, a History Day Workshop was held in each region, and a cohort networking event was held in early March 2008. This year, one cohort member was se-lected to attend National History Day. Mobile Science Lab Grant Project. A HealthForce Minne-sota grant allowed SSC to equip and coordinate rental of a trailer full of equipment to complement Mayo Clinic’s Molecular Biology course for high school teachers.
2007-2008 Quantified Services Value Administrative Support Services
CompuSwap, Mobile Computer Lab, MNTAAB Program, Wireless discounts, Employee Assistance Program, Health & Safety Management Assistance
$52,949
Instructional and Service Enhancement Programs Special Grant Projects: Teaching American History,
E2T2 InfoSource, Math/Science, MSTA Academy, Math SEC and Data Retreat Projects
AYP Technical Assistance and School Improvement Student Enrichment: Knowledge Bowl, Spelling Bee,
Young Authors/Young Artists Conference, Freshwater Society HS Art Competition, Future City
Wood Lake Meeting Center Professional Development
$437,809 $310,995
$107,955 $633
$125,550 Environmental Health and Safety Management (EHSM) $39,946 Health Insurance and Risk Management $1,742,964 Cooperative Purchasing $193,443 Total Estimated Gross Value $3,012,244 Less Membership Fees —$76,493 Net Value to our Member Organizations $2,935,751
Percent Return on Investment 3838%
Page 5 Page 8
Member Participation and Benefit Value Each member organization receives an aggregate report of all member usage of SSC programs and services. Statistics drawn from SSC records – financial and participation data – are translated as dollar values. This chart illustrates the collective value derived through those programs that we quantified. Each member organization will also receive an individualized report about its staff’s use of services and the value derived from SSC membership. Contact us with questions!
Member Organizations (2008-2009)
Education: Albert Lea Austin Austin Catholic Schools Blooming Prairie Byron Caledonia Cannon Falls Chatfield Dover-Eyota Faribault Fillmore Central Glenville-Emmons Goodhue Goodhue County Ed. District Grand Meadow Hayfield Hiawatha Valley Ed. District Houston Kasson-Mantorville Kenyon-Wanamingo Kingsland
LaCrescent-Hokah Lake City Lanesboro LeRoy-Ostrander Lewiston Lyle Mabel-Canton Medford Minnesota State Academies Northfield Owatonna Pine Island Plainview-Elgin-Millville Randolph Red Wing Rochester Rochester Catholic Rushford-Peterson Southland Spring Grove St. Charles St. Mary's (Owatonna)
Stewartville Triton Wabasha-Kellogg Winona Winona Diocese Zumbro Education District Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cities: City of Blooming Prairie City of Byron City of Dodge Center City of Harmony City of Kasson City of LaCrescent City of Mabel City of Mantorville City of Preston City of Spring Grove Counties: Dodge County
Fillmore County Freeborn County Houston County Mower County Steele County Wabasha County Winona County Other Government Agencies: Austin Housing and Redevelopment Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District Owatonna Public Utilities Rice/Steele 911 Non-Profits: Channel One, Inc. Child Care Resource and Referral
The Year in Review … Instructional Services
MSTA Math Academies Grant Project. The southeast regional academy, PASCaL (Premise: All Students Can Learn) Cohort, provides ongoing training based on the statewide focus of algebra connected to numbers for math teachers in grades 6-8. Activities include summer acad-emies, peer coaching, lesson development, and profes-sional learning communities. The goal is to create internal capacity at the district level to use these teachers to effec-tively implement changes in curriculum and instruction. AYP-School Improvement Program. Through a collaboration with Minnesota Department of Education, this program continues to support schools and districts on the “needs improvement” list by supporting planning for high qual-ity professional development, pre-paring team leaders to train col-leagues, and providing support as they analyze and trian-gulate various data to develop improvement plans. This year, one of the schools receiving AYP technical assistance through SSC came off the AYP list and many showed sig-nificant improvement. And you reported back to us that this model of support was working for you. Professional Development Offerings Enhanced and Popular. We developed greater capacity to assist edu-cators with curriculum and pro-fessional development and in-structional enhancement, in-cluding the following: Curriculum Mapping, Data Retreat Facilitation, Leadership Team Training, MBTI: Introduction to Type, NWEA Training, and Office Communication Skills. Non-education focused training programs were hosted for chief administrators, board members, city and county staff, health and safety professionals, and office management staff.
New Technology Trainings. Newly developed workshops were made available in technology use and integration using SMART Boards and Office 2007. Online resources were also introduced as an enhancement.
Governance
Mitch Lentz, Chair - Mitch has served on the Kingsland Public School Board for the past 14 years. A manager at IBM, Mitch and his wife are the parents of two sons. They live on their farm in Spring Valley.
Tom Heise, Treasurer - Tom has been a board member for Pine Island school district for the past 12 years. He is an engineering manager for IBM. He and his wife are the parents of three daughters.
Don Andring - A member of the Dover-Eyota School Board for the past 11 years, Don also runs his dairy farm and electrical contracting business. He and his wife of 34 years are the parents of eight children.
Mike Hammes - Mike has been a member of the Zumbrota-Mazeppa School Board for the past 15 years. He is a quality control technician at Land O’ Lakes Inc. He and his wife have two daughters.
Susan Phillips - Sue has been Freeborn County’s Central Services Supervisor for the past 22 years. She has two step-children, and she and her husband are the grandparents of five boys.
Mark Packard, Vice Chair - Mark has served on the Kasson-Mantorville School Board for 19 years. He is the Inventory Manager at McNelius Steel in Dodge Center. He and his wife have three sons.
Al Cordes, Clerk - Al represents Mower County, and serves as its Human Resource Director. He has served on SSC’s board for the past four years. Al is married and has two daughters.
Carol Cravath - Carol has been on the Plainview-Elgin-Millville School Board for the past four years. Retired from teaching, Carol and her husband have twin sons who live in the Rochester area.
Elizabeth Lawson - Elizabeth has served on the Stewartville School Board for the past nine years. She is a registered dental assistant at the Mayo Clinic. She and her husband have three daughters.
Marcia Ward - Marcia has been a Winona County Commissioner for the past six years. She is a retired business owner, and active sheep farmer. Marcia is married with four children.
Peter Grant, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools Robert Kelly, Triton Public Schools Bruce Klaehn, Dover-Eyota Public Schools Gary Kuphal, Southland Public Schools Myrna Luehmann, Fillmore Central Public Schools
Mike Moriarty, Caledonia Public Schools Todd Sesker, Cannon Falls Public Schools Darrin Strosahl, Kingsland Public Schools Dave Thompson, Stewartville Public Schools Stan Slessor, Red Wing Public Schools
Schools Administrative Advisory Committee
2007-2008 Board of Directors
Page 9 Page 4
MSC Online Learning Project Introduced. This new and excit-ing program was launched last year to provide expanded educational opportunities for all learners, pre-pare students for life and work in the 21st century, promote the avail-
ability of online coursework among consortium members, improve the effectiveness of online learning and assure a quality learning environment for students and teachers. The courseware is provided through the Minnesota Service Cooperative Online Learning Project, an approved online provider with the Minnesota Department of Education.
Led Pilot Program with Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Service Cooperatives. SSC coordinated a statewide grant from the National Governor’s Association that allowed 16 districts to participate in a K-12, math-focused experience combining the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum and Data Retreats.
Young Writers, Young Artists Confer-ence. Over 700 students in grades 4-6, over 100 adult chaperones, and 20 presenters participated in the May 2008 event, Unlock Your Creativity.
Spelling Bee. 75 students in grades 5-8 from 42 school districts competed in the Regional Bee. One of our region’s Spelling Bee winners advanced to the National Spelling Bee to represent our state.
Junior and Senior High Knowledge Bowl. 767 students from 30 districts took part. We were pleased that the program expanded to include more team participation than ever before, at both levels!
Freshwater Society High School Art Competition. In year four of this competition, 22 southeast MN students submitted artwork, and four were selected to take their art work to the state Water is Life scholarship competition, where one won a scholarship!
Competitions and recognition events. In cooperation with other Service Cooperatives and the Center for Academic Excellence, we promoted CyberKnowledge, Future City Competition, The Stock Market Game, Gathering of Champions, WEM Awards.
The Year in Review … Instructional Services
Introduced the 6 A's to a Guaranteed and Viable Cur-riculum Process. After observ-ing other programs and methods, SSC staff developed a six step process to help educators drill down to the benchmark level laid out in the Minnesota Academic Standards and translate them into a guaranteed and viable curriculum. Step 1 “analyzes” the K-12 standards. Step 2 “assigns” action items that will help translate essential benchmarks into actual classroom change. Step 3 “aligns” priorities with the current scope and sequence. Step 4 “articulates” the curriculum into strategies that work. Step 5 “applies” the planning and dialogue by implementing practices in the classroom. Step 6 “assesses” student learning by developing and using balanced assessment tools. This process has proved to be invaluable for the districts that have utilized it. The time for teachers to discuss what happens within their classroom walls is invaluable.
Professional Development Included: • SMART Board Trainings (Basic and Advanced) • Office 2007 Workshops • Gateway to Mastery Seminar • Science Professional Learning Communities • Teaching American History Workshops • Meeting MN Math Standards at the Middle and
High School • High Quality Teacher and Principal Leadership in
High Schools • SCIOP Training • Using Student Assessments • Engaging Elementary Students in Developing
Constructed Math Responses • Preparing Students for the MCA II/GRAD Assess-
ment in Math • Best Practices of Reading Instruction • Book Study: When Kids Can’t Read • Use of the MCA II Educator Portal • Leadership Team Training • ELL Learning Strategies • Using Number and Operations Concepts to Foster
Algebraic Thinking in Grades K-5 • Hazards in the Workplace • Playground Safety • Health and Safety Town Meeting • Legislative Information Sessions • Tax & Levy Certification Session, and more MDE
facilitated training events in instruction.
An elected Board of Directors representing member districts and city/county groups governs us. The Board of Direc-tors appoints an Administrative Advisory Committee consisting of member superintendents who consider proposals for services and programs and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
“I am excited, proud, and honored to be your Southeast Service Cooperative Board Chair. Since joining the Southeast Service Cooperative Board in January 2004, I have consistently noted the dedication and quality of the other Board members and staff. The Service Cooperative remains dedicated to providing the highest services to support administrative and instructional func-tions of our members. Whether the service is instructional, student enrichment, administrative, insurance and benefits, or cooperative purchasing, the Service Cooperative staff focuses on delivering quality assistance. The 2007-2008 year was one of wonderful achievements. I know we will have a great year ahead. Together we can and will do great things for the Service Co-operative and its members.” - Mitch Lentz, SSC Board Chair
Kari Kubicek Program Coordinator
(507) 281-6668 [email protected]
Coordinates health and wellness, the Teaching American History
project, and the YAYA Conference.
Kirsten Kuehl Instructional Services Coordinator
(507) 281-6670 [email protected]
Coordinates student academic programs and oversees other
instructional services and staff.
Nicole LaChapelle Program Assistant (507) 281-6674
Assists with marketing and communications and supports the Teaching American History project.
Dick Riley Program Assistant (507) 281-6666 [email protected]
Supports meeting center activities and facility maintenance, and
provides general support services.
Shelley Rinkel Technology Trainer
(507) 281-6672 [email protected]
Develops and delivers hands-on training for technology integration, including SMART Board workshops, and worksite improvement topics.
Diane Schwinghammer Lead School Improvement
Coordinator (507) 281-6683
Leads planning and delivery of technical assistance in school improvement planning and professional development.
Bob Tweten Health and Safety Manager
(507) 281-6663 [email protected]
Provides compliance assistance and coordinates annual training as well
as mock OSHA walk-throughs.
SSC was proud to be selected to receive the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for
Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility.
The prestigious Sloan Awards recognize organizations that are dedicated to making work “work” for both the employer and the employees by offering excellent workplace flexibility practices and using flexibility as a strategic tool to enhance organizational effectiveness and benefit employees.
Page 3 Page 10
Cooperative Purchasing Program Updates. We transitioned much of the “back office” support for Cooperative Purchasing such as vendor communication, website and bidding to Lakes Country Service Cooperative under a new, even more efficient statewide umbrella. Volume increased from last year, giving us greater price leveraging capacity, and we expanded the segments. Products and services included in 2007-08 purchasing in-cluded:
• Audio & audiovisual • Building • Bulbs • Computer recycling • Copier bid program • Copy paper • Microsoft software • Mobile phone services • Office supplies • Playground equipment • School supplies • Technology & software • Tools • Vehicles
Environmental Health and Safety Updates. Health and safety training sessions and mock OSHA walk-through inspections helped members avoid citations and fines. Assistance was provided to each member in projecting needs and maximizing health and safety levy funds.
A contract with Coastal Learning provided affordable delivery and tracking of online health and safety and other online training for staff in member organizations.
In an SSC contract with consulting firm Institute for Environmental Assessment, members saved money and ensured high quality performance and completion of facility projects. IEA continued its scholarship program for SSC members’ students. IEA also launched a Hazardous Mate-rials in Child Accessible Products Program (Lead in Toys). Cash Flow Borrowing. SSC members continue to receive assistance, expertise, and a choice in the cash flow borrowing process. Along with Springsted, Inc., we provide services through the Minnesota Tax and Aid Anticipation Borrowing Pool (MNTAAB). Over 92% of users rated their overall experience with the pool at Excellent or Above Average.
The Year in Review … Administrative Services
Purchased a New Laptop Lab. Since the set of 24 Dell laptops that we had offered for rental to member organizations met with high demand, we acquired an addi-tional wireless mobile laptop lab. Our new mobile laptop lab features 24 brand new, high capacity IBM
ThinkPad computers. Each set of 12 is safely packed in two travel trunks for member usage. The laptops are de-signed to meet the short-term technology needs of SSC member staff for professional development purposes and for learning activities. CompuSwap and Asset Recovery Program. These services continued to bring refreshed computers to member schools and disposal of unusable equipment. Last year, SSC coordinated a 6 district surplus equipment giveaway.
The Year in Review … General Operations • Increased our public school membership to 100%.
• Renovated and rented extra building space.
• Coordinated a Board strategic planning retreat.
• Hosted MASBO, SEMTEC, and SEMNET meetings and provided server space for SEMTEC’s website.
• Hosted a Chamber of Commerce AM Espresso and became more active in other Chamber activities.
• Added staff to the necessary level to ensure effi-ciency and to adequately meet member needs.
• MN RETAP (Retired Engineers Technical Assistance Program) evaluated the SSC facility.
• Updated our SSC policies and bylaws.
• Improved member communications through electronic e-briefings, improvements to our contact database, and redesigning our website to be more user-friendly and easier to find information.
Purchased a Walking Workstation. Invented by the Mayo Clinic’s own Dr. James A. Levine, the workstation added a whole new dimension to SSC’s workplace wellness initiative. Walking on the station at a very slow rate of 1.5 miles per hour, for only 5 minutes per hour, for 6 hours, burns more calories than working out at an aerobic level for 45 minutes. SSC staff are encouraged to schedule time at workstation, where they have network access to their files and can work just as efficiently as they could from their desk, but with the added benefit of exercise! Set an Example of Worksite Wellness. Making wellness a part of their workplace experience is not something the SSC staff just talk about, it is something they actively participate in, and enjoy. We developed a committee and created staff wellness activities and friendly competitions to encourage awareness. Employee Assistance Program. We continued to offer this program through LifeWorks.
Health Insurance Pools We continue to administer two health insurance pools (one for schools and one for local government), promote VEBA plans, and offer dental programs, disease management programs, life insurance, LTD insurance, long term care insurance, and personal insurance options. • Offered training in compliance issues. • Continued to manage the pool using best practices in
addressing healthcare costs. • Both health insurance pools reached financially healthy
positions. • In collaboration with other Service Cooperative pools,
we achieved above national average for groups moving to consumer driven health plans.
• SSC Staff changed their insurance plan to a higher deductible to be a leading model of good healthcare consumerism.
• We retained insurance consultant Bill Colopoulos, with his expertise in underwriting, pharmacy, and pool management, for individual group consulting as well as pool planning and development.
• Fitness center discounts, a free nurseline, and indi-vidualized health support continued as health insur-ance pools features.
Health and Worksite Wellness Assistance included these benefits and features: EmbodyHealth, featuring the Mayo Clinic Health Risk Assessment. This online program provided up-to-date nutrition, fitness, and healthy lifestyle information, ability to ask a specialist, information on common dis-eases, videos and customized content. Last year, we offered this tool free to SSC health pool members. Funding Opportunities for Members. SSC awarded funding to groups through for a Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Worksite Initiative Grant in partnership with the MN Department of Health. Low Cost Health Promotion Incentive Items. SSC purchased incentive items in volume at low cost and passed on the savings to members. Worksite Wellness Support Program. We continue to serve groups through health risk assessments and program planning such as wellness incentive items, wellness resources, health fairs, and cholesterol and triglyceride screening.
Bill Colopoulos Insurance Consultant
(507) 281-6690 [email protected]
Provides technical assistance, support, and guidance for
benefit services programs to health insurance pools and groups.
Katie Cunningham Program Assistant
(507) 281-6667 [email protected]
Supports organizational programs and services and processes dental claims.
Amy Grover Program and Planning Manager
(507) 281-6693 [email protected]
Coordinates strategic planning, marketing strategies, program
development, and grant projects.
Chris Hancock Accounting Assistant
(507) 281-6671 [email protected]
Provides support for accounting tasks and assists with cooperative
purchasing activities.
Lesley Hauser School Improvement Consultant
(507) 281-6660 [email protected]
Provides technical assistance in school improvement planning and
professional development.
Heidi Knepper School Improvement Coordinator
(507) 281-6669 [email protected]
Provides technical assistance in school improvement planning and
professional development.
Suzanne Riley Executive Director (507) 281-6673 [email protected]
Directs organizational planning and development, analyzes member
needs, guides staff in service plan-ning and delivery, develops policies,
and manages administrative and benefit services programs.
Dale Walston Director of Operations
(507) 281-6675 [email protected]
Oversees fiscal, building, and internal technology
operations and manages cooperative purchasing and other
administrative, insurance, and technological services.
SSC Staff & Consultants
”Supporting your mission … meeting your needs”
Page 11 Page 2
The Year in Review … Benefit Services
The Year in Review … Other Highlights • Staff volunteered for with the United Way following
the Rushford flood. • Welcomed our first summer internship. • SSC was recognized by United Way for an increase
in annual giving by our staff members. • Superintendent Robert (Bob) Kelly was honored with
an Outstanding Service Award. • Superintendent Dave Thompson was honored with
the MASA 1 Regional Administrator of Excellence Award.
• Welcomed two new Board members. • SSC paid tribute to Joe Pries, who retired after 24
years of service to our organization.
ANNUAL REPORT 2007-2008
Southeast Service Cooperative 210 Wood Lake Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone (507) 288-1282, Fax (507) 288-7663
www.ssc.coop
To Our Members, Associates and Friends, 2007-2008 was another productive, memorable year at SSC. We made notable progress on our strategic plan, which has become an ever-evolving, living document that guides and documents our progress. We have added new staff members, allowing us to continue to provide high-quality programs and services. We have focused on ways to better communicate with you so that you take full advantage of what your service cooperative has to offer. And, we have continued to identify new ways to meet your needs. We had an exciting year and we reached many of our goals. Some highlights include: • We were awarded the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility. • We updated our conference center and introduced the Wood Lake Meeting Center. • We welcomed several new member organizations. • We continued to stabilize our health insurance rates among most groups. • We maintained financial integrity across all budget areas. • We launched new programs and services in direct response to your expressed needs. We recognize that we are here to serve you. The coming year will focus on ensuring that we are doing just that as we seek your input and assessment. Our members make successful cooperation happen. In this year’s annual report, we expanded our report format to re-introduce you to your staff and Board so that we become familiar faces. We are happy to help you and are always interested to hear from you. We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to everyone that we collaborated with in 2007-2008!
Suzanne Riley, SSC Executive Director
Page 1 Page 12
Our Mission Driven by the needs of our members, we provide sup-port, services, and solutions that increase value, maxi-mize resources, and promote continuous improvement. To this end, we aim to be a: · Model of successful collaboration. · Purchasing network to save members money. · Regional resource to enhance learning.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT GOALS
• We will continually evaluate services and operations using formative and summative assessment strategies that will inform needed modifications to improve performance.
• We will continually evaluate the alignment of staffing resources with operations and programs. We will ensure that employees have the resources they need to strengthen their knowledge, skills, abilities, and other assets that contribute to SSC success.
• We will proactively involve the Board of Directors, the Administrative Advisory Committee, and others in our planning process and greater continuous improvement process.
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP GOALS
We will continuously seek new opportunities to develop and maintain business, government, education, and community partnerships that result in added value and benefit for our members. NEEDS ASSESSMENT GOALS
• We will solidify our needs assessment process by detailing a) what we want to know, b) who we want to survey, c) what assessment tool(s) we should use, and d) what priorities we should establish.
• We will collect needs assessment data from 80% of all school principals at member school buildings. • We will collect needs assessment data from other school member audiences (to be determined from principal
suggestions) at member school sites. • We will have determined and deployed a process to bring superintendents into the process. • We will collect needs assessment data from 75% of target city and county member organizations. MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS GOALS
• We will ensure clear, thorough, timely, and relevant member communications using diverse dissemination methods to increase member awareness and response.
• We will collect targeted contact information for school districts, city staff, county staff, and selected non-profit organizations.
• SSC communications, including website, newsletters, e-briefings, organizational and program literature, will be consistent, high quality, and informative.
• We will schedule annual visits with each member and capitalize on our time in districts to inquire about member usage and for other purposes.
• We will become more knowledgeable about operations and structure of city and county governance. MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT GOALS
• We will review progress, set additional goals and action items, and determine whether this marketing consultant should be retained to assist with the development of a formal marketing plan that outlines strategies for organizational marketing and promotion of specific programs and services.
• We will create organization-wide marketing and communication guidelines to ensure consistent communications with our members and the public.
• We will identify and recruit prospective members, including education (traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, higher education), government, and non-profit organizations for SSC membership.
• SSC will have a comprehensive organizational marketing plan. • We will regularly evaluate and document staff responsibilities. OPERATIONS GOALS • We will maintain strong fiscal health through efficient and effective operations (facilities, technology, finances, and
policies). • We will develop a contingency plan to guide us in the event of the loss of a major service.
Looking Forward … Organizational Goals
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