Forms and related program information may be found at the bottom of the page.

Q: Our district has a beginning administrator and wants to use the SAI program to provide mentoring and induction support. How do I sign up?

If your district/AEA intends to use the SAI program to meet SF 277 requirements, you will need to complete new paperwork (if you used the SAI program last year, please discard forms from 2006-07). Please do the following:
1.Keep a copy of the Program Description in your district/AEA files.
2.Sign and return the Agreement to SAI. We will sign and return a copy for your district/AEA files.
3.As soon as you hire a beginning administrator, send SAI the person’s name and position.
4.Inform the beginning administrator, prior to his/her participation in the Mentoring and Induction Program, of your district’s evaluation procedures for administrators. Specifically, the beginning administrator must be informed of the criteria upon which s/he will be evaluated and of the evaluation process utilized by the district/AEA (this is a new requirement of SF 277).

Q: Our district wants to use the SAI program to meet the requirements of SF 277, but we do not currently have a beginning administrator. What should we do?

Follow the steps above.

Q: We have a new administrator who does not meet the definition of beginning administrator and for whom the district will not receive state funds. Can s/he participate in the SAI program?

We welcome the participation of all new administrators. If the administrator is a superintendent in their first superintendency or new to Iowa, the Wallace leadership grant will pay for his/her participation. If the beginning administrator is in another position, district funds may be used (the cost is $1,500 per beginning administrator).

Q: I am a new superintendent and wish to register myself for the SAI program. What should I do?

New superintendents (in their first superintendent position or new to Iowa) can register for the SAI program by informing Amy Swanson, aswanson@sai-iowa.org, and providing their contact information. Wallace funds will pay for their participation.

Q: Who is responsible for finding a mentor for the beginning administrator?

SAI will obtain the mentor for the beginning administrator.

Q: Can my district or a beginning administrator request someone specific to be assigned as a mentor?

SAI will assign mentors, using the recommendations of AEAs and the willingness of those recommended to serve in the mentor role. We will make every effort to match individuals from similar size schools/districts in geographic proximity and in similar positions. Generally, mentors will be practicing administrators from outside the district. We make it a practice to avoid assigning a mentor who is the formal supervisor of the mentee. Although specific requests are considered, there is no assurance they will be honored.

Q: How are potential mentors contacted?

If the potential mentor is a superintendent, an e-mail message will be sent directly to that individual asking if s/he is interested in being a mentor for a specific new superintendent.

If the potential mentor is a principal (or other administrator), an e-mail message will be sent to the superintendent informing him/her of SAI’s intent to invite that principal to be a mentor. The superintendent will have an opportunity to provide input prior to the principal being invited to be a mentor. If the superintendent is supportive, an e-mail message will be sent to the principal asking if s/he is interested in being a mentor for a specific beginning administrator.

Q: How will beginning administrators be notified of their mentors?

SAI will send an e-mail message to beginning administrators informing them of their assigned mentor. (Mentors will be encouraged to contact their mentee as soon as possible, so the mentor contact may occur even before the SAI notice is received.)