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MDE: Back to School Conference 2025

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (CDT)

Minneapolis Marriott NW

7025 Northland Drive North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428-1506
United States

Hotel Reservations

Our online registration has closed, if you are still interested in attending the conference, please contact members@mnasa.org.

Kick Off the 2025-26 School Year with Energy & Insight!

Gather your leadership team and join colleagues from across the state as we launch into a new school year together! As the 2024-25 school year wraps up, we hope you’re taking time to recharge before diving into what’s next. And what better way to gear up for 2025-26 than with an inspiring day of learning, collaboration, and fresh ideas?

We’re excited to welcome you to the Annual MDE Back to School Conference, where you’ll:
✅ Dive into engaging breakout sessions tailored to your needs
✅ Get the latest legislative updates that impact your work
✅ Hear from MDE Commissioner Willie Jett and MASA Executive Director, Deb Henton, on the year ahead

This is your chance to connect, strategize, and set the tone for a successful school year. Bring your team, spark new ideas, and leave feeling ready to make an impact.

Registration Options

Registration Options	Credits	Price
Early Bird Attendee Registration Registration Ended 7/7/25 at 11:59 PM CDT	5.00 (CEUs)	$254.00
Attendee Registration Registration Ended 7/27/25 at 11:59 PM CDT	5.00 (CEUs)	$289.00
Retiree Registration	5.00 (CEUs)	$149.00
Post-Deadline Registration Registration Ended 8/5/25 at 11:59 PM CDT	5.00 (CEUs)	$350.00

Agenda

August 5
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM	Conference Check-in & Refreshments
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM	General Session
9:15 AM - 2:00 PM	Resource Tables Available
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM	Breakout 1
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM	Breakout 2
11:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Lunch & Resource Table Exploration
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Breakout 3
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM	Break
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM	General Session: Legislative Panel

Attendees (253)

Dr. Bill E Adams Superintendent Willmar Public Schools

Staci Allmaras Director of School and Youth Engagement Lakes Country Service Cooperative

Karsten L Anderson Superintendent St. Francis Area Schools

Minda L Anderson Assistant Superintendent Big Lake Public School District

Mitch E Anderson Superintendent Perham-Dent Public School District

Tim Anderson Superintendent Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

Jennifer M. Babiash Director of Teaching & Learning White Bear Lake School District

Sal Bagley Partner Wold Architects and Engineers

Dr. Katie A Baskin Executive Director of Academics and Administrative Services Austin Public Schools

Dr. Bryan E Bass Assistant Superintendent Osseo Area Schools

Andrew J Beaton Assistant Superintendent N. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District

Dr. Christopher C Bellmont Assistant Superintendent Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Brett A Benson Superintendent Lake Crystal-Wellcome-Memorial Schools

Dr. Dan T Bittman Superintendent Edina Public Schools

Dan R Blankenship Superintendent/Principal Butterfield-Odin Schools

Dr. Val Rae M Boe Superintendent NE Metro Intermediate School District 916

Jamie M Boelter Superintendent New London-Spicer School District

Michael P Bolsoni Superintendent Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Schools

Anthony . Bonds Assistant Superintendent Duluth Public Schools

Dr. Christine G Breen Executive Director of Student Support Services Minnetonka Public Schools

Dr. Tyrone NMN Brookins Assistant Superintendent South Washington County Schools

Rob Brown Client Executive Nexus Solutions

Steve Brown Director of Technology St. Michael-Albertville School District

Isis Buchanan Executive Director of Special Programs Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Susan M Burris Superintendent Litchfield Public Schools

Eric Butche Superintendent Moose Lake Community School

Kaitlin Cantolla early learning coordinator Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Vern L Capelle Superintendent Upsala Area Schools

Gwen L Carman Lewiston-Altura Public School District

Cliff G Carmody Executive Director SWWC Service Cooperative

Ranae M Case Evenson Superintendent Jordan Public Schools

Dr. Tamara A Champa Superintendent Owatonna Public Schools

Quennel Cooper Assistant Superintendent St. Louis Park Public Schools

Rochelle M Cox Assistant Superintendent Fridley Public Schools

Michelle M Cuka Director of Student Support Services Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

Latanya Daniels Superintendent Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Hamde Daoud Community Engagement Coordinator Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Liam Dawson Superintendent St. James Public School District

Dr. Kristin L Dehmer Assistant Superintendent, Business and Administrative Services Moorhead Area Public Schools

Dan F. Deitte Superintendent Hutchinson Public Schools

Pat Devine Superintendent Princeton Public Schools

Brian R Dietz Superintendent Chisago Lakes School District

Josie Dingmann Superintendent Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Public Schools

Zachary Dingmann Superintendent Melrose Public School

Cecelia R Dodge Executive Director North Lakes Academy

Marcy A Doud Superintendent Intermediate School District 287

Barbara J Duffrin Superintendent Mahtomedi Public Schools

Jane Eastes Deputy Executive Director Lakes Country Service Cooperative

Dr. Dan L Edwards Superintendent Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Schools

Amy E. Eich Director of Community Education Rochester Public Schools

Kevin L Enerson Superintendent ROCORI Public Schools

Dr. Michael L Favor Superintendent Intermediate School District 917

Scott D Fitzsimonds Superintendent Lake of the Woods School ISD#390

Amanda Fjeld Principal Floodwood Public School District

David Fjeldheim Superintendent Bertha-Hewitt Public Schools

Dr. Nathan A Flansburg Superintendent Pact Charter School

Mandy J Fletcher Superintendent Blue Earth Area Schools

Dr. Anjie M Flowers General Counsel & Executive Director of Human Resources Minnetonka Public Schools

Dr. Ann-Marie Foucault Superintendent St. Michael-Albertville School District

Andrew Fougner Superintendent Red Lake County Central Schools

Dr. Kathy L Funston Director of Strategic Partnerships and Pathways Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Beth J Giese Superintendent Kasson-Mantorville Schools

Dr. Alison C Gillespie Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning White Bear Lake School District

Sandy A Giorgi Director of Teaching & Learning, PreK-12 Lakeville Area Public Schools

Louisa M Glenetske Superintendent Brandon-Evansville Public Schools

Walter Gnewikow Superintendent La Crescent Hokah School District

Dr. Tim E. Godfrey Superintendent Red Rock Central Schools

Rachel M Gorton Director of Technology Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Tony Greene Superintendent Red Lake Falls Schools

Deanna R Gronseth Director of Special Services Hastings Public Schools

Matt D. Grose Superintendent Grand Rapids School District

Jinger Gustafson Anoka Hennepin School District

Dr. Jason R Harris Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Education St Cloud

Dave R Haveman Executive Director of Special Services NE Metro Intermediate School District 916

Deb M. Henton ASE/AASA Liaison Minnesota Association of School Administrators

Dr. Kim R. Hiel Superintendent Osseo Area Schools

Dr. Matt Hillmann Executive Director Northfield Public Schools

Dr. Carlondrea D Hines Superintendent St. Louis Park Public Schools

Andrew J Hodges Director of Teaching and Learning Hastings Public Schools

Susan M. Hoeft Floodwood Public School District

Erin K Hoffman Executive Director West Central Education District

Dr. Jeff K Horton Superintendent SW Metro Intermediate District 288-06

Dr. Eric M Hudspith Superintendent Waseca Public Schools

Shannon J Hunstad Superintendent Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District

Craig A Ihrke Superintendent Caledonia Area Public Schools

Kelly S Jansen Assistant Superintendent South Washington County Schools

Thomas A. Jerome Superintendent Roseau Community Schools

Adam J Johnson Superintendent New York Mills School District

Brad A Johnson Interim Superintendent Renville County West School District School District

Cherie L Johnson Executive Director Goodhue County Ed. District

Darin E Johnson Executive Director of School Management Mounds View Public Schools

Allison Jordan Supervisor of Community Education Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Craig Junker President, Totino-Grace High School Totino - Grace High School

Dean J Kapsner Superintendent Isle Public Schools

Dr. Wayne A. Kazmierczak Superintendent White Bear Lake Area Schools

David J Kerkvliet Superintendent Sebeka Public School

Anne Kilzer Executive Director Minnesota Service Cooperatives

Gina M Kleive Superintendent Lake Superior School District

Melissa A Knettel Executive Director of Teaching & Learning SW Metro Intermediate District 288-06

Sarah Knudsen Executive Director of Special Services Austin Public Schools

Brian A Korf Superintendent Pelican Rapids Public Schools

Heather Kosec Assistant Director of Special Services NE Metro Intermediate School District 916

Gary A Kuphal Mabel Canton School

Dr. Ryan A Laager Superintendent Belle Plaine Public Schools

Amy R LaDue Dr. Associate Superintendent Minnetonka Public Schools

Silvy Lafayette Executive Director of Assessment, Research and Evaluation St. Louis Park Public Schools

Dr. Jeremy K Larson Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Moorhead Area Public Schools

Dr. David W Law Superintendent Minnetonka Public Schools

Jennifer Lawhead Community Education Director Austin Public Schools

Todd Lechtenberg Executive Director of Finance and Operations Austin Public Schools

Wayne LePard Superintendent Royalton Public School District

Dr. Brenda S Lewis Superintendent Fridley Public Schools

Dr. Jenny L Loeck Superintendent Roseville Area Schools

Michael J. Lovett University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas

Daniel R Ludvigson Superintendent Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Public Schools

Dr. Brandon M Lunak Superintendent Moorhead Area Public Schools

Luke Lutterman Superintendent Triton Public Schools

Heather M. F. Lyke Executive Director NW Suburban Integration School District

Kristopher "Kip" K Lynk ACGC Schools

John C Magas Superintendent Duluth Public Schools

Nate H Manaen Assistant Superintendent Eastern Carver County Schools

Michael S Mangan Director Houston Public Schools

Dr. Steve D Massey Interim Superintendent Forest Lake Area Schools

Jeannie M Mayer Superintendent Verndale Public School District

Diane M McCarron SpEd Forms

Dr. Bob McDowell Assistant Superintendent Robbinsdale School District

Cory H. McIntyre Anoka Hennepin School District

Mike M Meihak Superintendent NRHEG Public Schools

Dr. Eric J Melbye Superintendent Bloomington Public Schools

Dr. Jennifer L Middendorf Special Education Supervisor Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Dr. Chris E Mills Superintendent Thief River Falls School District

Dr. Jenna G. Mitchler Assistant Superintendent Bloomington Public Schools

Mary E Morem Superintendent Houston Public Schools

Gina Morken Superintendent Spring Grove Public Schools

Megan C Myers Superintendent Parkers Prairie Public Schools

Michael Neubeck Superintendent Jackson County Central Schools

Julie A. Nielsen Superintendent South Washington County Schools

Amy M. Notch Director of Teaching and Learning ROCORI Public Schools

Brian Nutter Executive Director Wright Technical Center

Imina P. Oftedahl Retired Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Travis J Okerlund Albany Area Schools

Eric G Olson Monticello Public School District

Dr. Peter L. Olson-Skog Superintendent W. St. Paul-Mendota Hgts.-Eagan Area Schools

Dr. Nels M Onstad Superintendent Wabasha-Kellogg School District

David E Pace Superintendent Greenway Public School District

Anthony M Padrnos Executive Director of Technology Osseo Area Schools

Dr. Joey M-H Page Superintendent Austin Public Schools

Tracy A Parisek Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Lakeville Area Public Schools

Sara T Paul Superintendent North Branch Area Public Schools

Dr. Kent S Pekel Superintendent Rochester Public Schools

Dr. Trish M Perry Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Alexandria Public Schools

Shelly L. Pierson Evans Executive Director North Shore Community School

Amy B Piotrowski Director of Student Support Services Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Daniel W Posthumus Superintendent Foley Public Schools

Dr. Laurie A Putnam Superintendent St. Cloud Area School District

Dr. Melissa A Radeke Superintendent Lester Prairie School District

Charles R Rankin Superintendent Minnewaska Area School District

Dr. Erin B. Rathke Superintendent Eastern Carver County Schools

Mark A Raymond Superintendent Dassel-Cokato Schools

Pat W. Rendle Superintendent Deer River Schools

Cori L Reynolds Superintendent Martin County West Schools

Dr. Jeffery P Ridlehoover Superintendent Rockford Area Schools

Mark E Ristau Superintendent Medford Public Schools

Michael Rivard Superintendent of Schools Sartell-St. Stephen Schools

Dr. Megan L Rogholt Director of Teaching & Learning Sartell-St. Stephen Schools

Tim Rohweder Superintendent Proctor Public Schools

Donna M Roper Executive Director of Research, Evaluation and Assessment and Information Management Systems St. Cloud Area School District

Jeff M Sampson Superintendent Cannon Falls Public Schools

Jesus Sandoval ISD 191

Rick L Sansted Superintendent Alexandria Public Schools

Paul D Scanlon Executive Director STEP Academy

Kristine M Schaefer Assistant Superintendent South Washington County Schools

Dr. Noel N Schmidt Superintendent Rock Ridge Public Schools

Mark J. Schmitz Executive Director Resource Training & Solutions

Richard A Schneider Superintendent Yellow Medicine East

Lynae Schoen Partner Wold Architects and Engineers

Matthew W. Schoen Superintendent Delano Public Schools

Matt J Schultz Superintendent Lanesboro Public Schools

Harold H Scott Senior Officer of Student and Family Supports Fridley Public Schools

Dr. Michael D Scott Director of Teaching & Learning Hutchinson Public Schools

Jason Sellars Director of Community Education Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

Ranae Seykora Superintendent Nevis Public School

Brenton Shavers Director of Educational Equity and Achievement White Bear Lake School District

Beck Simon-Burton Regional Vice President Edmentum

Allegra R Smisek Executive Director Perpich Center for Arts Education

Tricia E St. Michaels Assistant Superintendent N. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District

Dr. Teri A. Staloch Superintendent Robbinsdale Area Schools

Dr. Stacie L Stanley Superintendent Saint Paul Public Schools

Zena . Stenvik Superintendent Columbia Heights Public Schools

Daniel J Stifter Retired Aitkin Public Schools

Nathan J Swenson Assistant Superintendent Edina Public Schools

Dr. Scott M Thielman Superintendent Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools

Dr. Michael J Thomas Superintendent Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools

Niceta L Thomas Executive Director of Student Services Roseville Area Schools

Dr. Scott A Thomas Director of Educational Services NE Metro Intermediate School District 916

Amy R Thuesen Director of Technology Austin Public Schools

Erin A. Toninato Executive Director Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE)

Tim D Truebenbach Superintendent Big Lake Public School District

Christine L. Tucci Osorio Superintendent N. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District

Tim Tydlacka Superintendent BOLD Public Schools

Dr. Steven P Unowsky Superintendent Richfield Public Schools

Scott J Vedbraaten Superintendent Browerville Public Schools

Jason J Vold Superintendent Onamia Schools

Andy J Vollmuth Dr. Superintendent New Prague Area Schools

Lori Volz Director Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC

Dr. Jim M Wagner Superintendent Le Sueur-Henderson School District

Nate Walbruch Superintendent Byron Public Schools

Holly L Ward Superintendent Dawson-Boyd Public Schools

Dr. Kristine J. Wehrkamp Herman Superintendent Hastings Public Schools

Kevin J Wellen Superintendent Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Schools

Heather Whatley Minnesota Partnership Manager Edmentum

Jamie L Wiitala Director of Teaching and Learning St. Michael-Albertville School District

Terrence T. Wilding Superintendent MN State Academies

Loy J. Woelber Superintendent Westbrook-Walnut Grove/Lake Benton/Ivanhoe Schools

Ariana L Wright Superintendent Lake City Public Schools

Dr. Shawn W Yates Superintendent Warroad School District

Stefanie A Youngberg Superintendent East Central Public Schools

Dr. Annette M Ziegler Assistant Superintendent Secondary Schools Anoka Hennepin School District

Lori Zimmerman Assistant Executive Director Minnesota Association of School Administrators

34 Other Registered Attendees

MASA is committed to fostering welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environments at all MASA sponsored events—whether in person or virtual.

By participating in MASA events, attendees, speakers, guests, partners, and staff agree to:

Treat all participants with courtesy and professionalism
Respect differences in perspective and identity
Use respectful language and avoid personal attacks or harassment
Report concerns or unsafe situations to MASA staff

Harassment, discrimination, or any form of harmful conduct will not be tolerated. MASA reserves the right to take appropriate action, including removal from the event, in response to any violations.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses concerning behavior, is asked to contact MASA staff or contact the MASA Executive Director directly. All concerns will be addressed promptly and confidentially.

A link to the full MASA Event Code of Conduct can be found here. Let’s work together to make every MASA event a safe and inclusive space for all.

For More Information:

P.O. Box 427
Medford, MN 55049 651.645.6272

Please note: There is a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellation of registration must be submitted to the association in writing by July 19, 2025. No refund will be given to participants canceling after this date.