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  • Home
  • Fall Exhibitors
  • What's New?
  • About MASA
  • Professional Learning
    • Equity and Excellence in Education
    • BIPOC Affinity Group
    • MASA Mentor Program
    • What we are Reading
    • MASA Master Classes
    • Great Start Cohort
    • MASA Women's Leadership Network
    • Spring Conference
    • Expert Ease Video Library - MASA
    • Other Learning Opportunities
  • Newsroom
  • MASA Jobsite
  • At the Capitol
  • Calendar
  • COVID-19
  • Business Partners
  • foundation
  • Members Only
  • StormReady™
  • Regional Leaders
  • Recognition
  • P-CARD PROGRAM
  • MSDLAF+
  • Crisis Communication Services
  • Great Start Cohort 21-22
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What's New at MASA?

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Click here to see the 2022-23 Filled Vacancies list!
 Professional Learning:
 to view our professional learning opportunities click here

Job Posting: MASA Director of Professional Learning
MASA is seeking applicants for the Director of Professional Learning position.

The Director of Professional Learning is responsible for planning professional development to meet the needs of both MASA and its affiliate, the Minnesota Association for Special Education Administrators (MASE). The Director will develop diverse approaches to meeting those needs. The Director is the chief organizer and facilitator of conferences, events, professional development sessions for members and governing boards, and committee meetings for both organizations. The Director will negotiate contracts for all conferences and events, coordinate awards, conduct and facilitate training sessions, develop budgets, and establish strong relationships with members, business partners, education organizations/agencies, others in the field of education and those not directly involved in education yet who desire to partner and support MASA’s passion for ensuring equitable outcomes for every student.

Read the full job description here.

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MASA Great Start Cohort
Registration is now open for the 2022-23 MASA Great Start Cohort for new superintendents and administrators!

You can register online at: https://events.resultsathand.com/greatstart/1729.

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) is committed to providing excellent professional development that will support you in your professional practice. As a member of the Great Start Cohort, you will have the opportunity to meet other new leaders, receive information from seasoned leaders, and develop practical skills designed to help you be successful in the first year of your new position. In addition to the seven traditional workshops (scheduled in conjunction with conferences when appropriate for travel and schedule ease), participants will also receive access to the GSC Online Toolbox webpage filled with supporting documents and resources on popular topics.

Please encourage any new superintendents and administrators to register for the MASA Great Start Cohort!

Cohort Fee
Because of the generous support of Baker Tilly, the cohort fee is $499 for all seven sessions. The fee includes continental breakfast, lunch, and beverages for full-day sessions. The price will not be prorated for missed sessions. Participants may not register for individual sessions.

MASA Membership Requirement
You MUST be a Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) member to attend. Not a member yet? Please submit your membership online at https://events.resultsathand.com/membership/1676.

Continuing Clock Hours
CEUs will be provided for each session.

Please register by Monday, August 15, 2022.

Cancellations
Program fees will be refunded if canceled by August 15, 2022, with a $50 penalty. No refunds after that date. Lodging cancellations are the responsibility of the participant without exception.

Lend Your Voice …
... to the opening of the MASA Fall Conference, October 2-4 at Madden’s in Brainerd!
 
MASA members (including retirees and business partners) are invited to join the MASA Choir and open the Fall Conference with a patriotic song.
 
If you enjoy singing and wish to participate, please sign up by September 1st 
using this link.  On the sign-up form, we ask you to indicate your voice part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) but also note that “I don’t know” is an option in this area.  Everyone is invited to be part of the choir, whether or not you have choir experience!
 
Our choir director is Ron Wilke, Retired Superintendent and expert choir leader.  Our accompanist is Lori Volz, Director, Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, and former Executive Director of Finance & Operations for the Austin Public Schools.  We are grateful to them both!
 
The song selected to open the conference is America the Beautiful  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8HZ8NjQYG8 
 
So if you like to sing and you are planning to attend the MASA Fall Conference (October 2-4 at Madden’s in Brainerd), be sure to sign up 
for the choir by September 1st using this link .

Complete your 2022-23 MASA Membership Here!
Time to Renew Your 2022-23 Membership!​
We invite you to renew your membership(s) for 2022-23. Whether you are an active or retired member, a member of MASA, MASE, or a joint member, your active participation keeps your associations dynamic and strong. In turn, your associations provide you with a wide and growing variety of benefits and services. If you would like to review your member benefits, you can find that information for MASA members at www.mnasa.org/membership-options.

Renewing members received an email from MASA/MASE (via deb.larson@mnasa.org) with instructions on how to renew their memberships for 2022-23 on Wednesday, June 29.

As always, if you have questions or need assistance, contact the association offices at 
members@mnasa.org, 651-645-6272.

If you are joining MASA as a new member  g
o to https://events.resultsathand.com/membership/1676 and select your membership category from the top of the page and complete the registration form.

Thank you for being an MASA member in 2022-23!

2022-2023 MASA Business Partner Membership Registration!
Renewing your membership-or- joining as a first time business partner will be easy by using our online registration platform for your 2022-23 membership registration! You can register online at online at: https://events.resultsathand.com/masa_bp/1693. Simply click on the “membership form tab” on this page and you can arrange and pay for your membership. Each level of partnership and the related benefits are described on the form. 

We hope that you will renew your business partner membership and consider moving up a level for the 2022-23 school year! If you would like a reminder of your current membership level, you can check on our website or go to www.mnasa.org/business-partners and follow the button that reads "Click here to view our 2021-22 Business Partners." For those of you who are interested in arranging your newsletter and directory advertising, note the advertising link on the MASA Business Partners webpage as well. Business Partners receive discounted advertising!

2022 MASA Fall Conference Exhibitor Information Update
​
The 2022 MASA Fall Conference exhibitor information will be emailed to renewing business partner members on July 25th, they will have through August 8th for priority registration. Exhibitor information will be available on this website starting on August 9th.
​
If you have not renewed your Business Partner Membership, or are interested in becoming a member for the first time, you can find the information here: https://events.resultsathand.com/masa_bp/1693
Fall Conference Exhibitor Information - Click here!

Recording: Master Class on new Student Data Privacy Bill
Thank you to everyone who attended the MASA Master Class, "Minnesota Student Data Privacy Law: Impact and Implementation," on Tuesday, June 28.

MASA would like to extend a thank-you to our presenters:
  • Anthony Padrnos, Executive Director of Technology, Osseo Area Schools
  • Eric Simmons, Director of Technology Services, Chisago Lakes School District
  • Joel VerDuin, Chief Technology & Information Officer, Anoka-Hennepin School District

If you were unable to attend or want to review the presentation, you can view a recording of the session here: https://youtu.be/OJqyjwrkrZg 

The session slideshow, along with the linked materials, can be found online here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1K-19EVxAkRe9TbmvyfPeO8Wsx80VeF7xgUZQOIAbkWE/edit?usp=sharing


Dr. Terence Morrow, Director of Legal and Policy Services with MSBA, reached out to the House Research Department after the master class for clarification on some questions that were raised by participants during the presentation. The responses are below. Thank you to Dr. Morrow for providing MASA with the clarifying information!

The law says that notice will be provided “within 30 days of the start of the school year.” It does not state whether it is 30 days before or 30 days after.  Participants are seeking guidance.
  • This could be 30 days before or after the start of the school year. 

A related question asks whether the 30 days are calendar days or work days. My presumption is calendar days.

  • You are right, this means calendar days.  One small caveat: under § 645.15 (which deals with the computation of time generally in Minnesota law), “[w]hen the last day of the period falls on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, that day shall be omitted from the computation,” and you would skip ahead to the following weekday.  Because the key date in this statute is the start of a school year (which would be a normal weekday), this caveat should only matter for calculating 30 days after the start of the school year. 

The notice is given at the start of the school year.  If a school adds technology services during the school year, is there a notice requirement?

  • The law does not address notice requirements for contracts entered into after the 30-day window.  A district certainly isn’t prohibited from providing an additional supplementary notice, but the law contemplates a single notice around the start of the school year for all the relevant existing contracts.  If a district enters into a new contract in the middle of a school year, that could be included in the notice for the next school year.

Please see the following message from Dr. Morrow regarding the Student Data Privacy Bill:
This spring, the Minnesota legislature enacted a bill regarding student data privacy, which can be found here: 
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2022/0/Session+Law/Chapter/69/

Effective for the 2022-23 school year and after, the new law creates requirements that schools and technology providers must meet regarding educational data and other matters, including:
  • specific provisions that must appear in contracts between technology providers and schools;
  • limitations and notice requirements before a school or a technology provider electronically accesses or monitors a school-issued device; and
  • notice to parents and students “within 30 days of the start of each school year” regarding any curriculum, testing or assessment technology provider contract affecting a student’s educational data.

To assist schools in meeting these requirements, MSBA worked with MASA and a team of K-12 technology experts to create helpful resources:
  • Updated MSBA/MASA Model Policy 524: Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy available to Policy Services subscribers on the MSBA website (under Resources andPolicies) [Redline and clean versions are available]
  • MASA Master Class MN Tech Data Privacy Law Overview
MASA Master Class MN Tech Data Privacy Law Overview 06222022 - Google Slides

The Google Docs contain sample materials, including:
  • Beginning of the school year notice
  • 72-hour notification
  • Software Inventory and Student Data Elements (crowdsourced)

Many thanks to MASA, Eric Simmons, Ed.S (Director of Technology, Chisago Lakes School District), Anthony Padrnos, Ed.S (Executive Director of Technology, Osseo Area Schools), and Joel VerDuin, Ed.D (Chief Technology Officer, Anoka-Hennepin School District) for your leadership and expertise on this project.

Please contact me at tmorrow@mnmsba.org if questions arise.

Dr. Terence Morrow
MSBA Director of Legal and Policy Services
tmorrow@mnmsba.org

MASA Summer Newsletter has been published online!
You can view the MASA newsletter website at www.mnasanews.org/latest-edition.
​

This edition of the newsletter features various topics:
  • Executive View from MASA Executive Director Deb Henton: Some quick summer advice!
  • A message from your MASA President Dan Bittman: Gratitude, Service and Hope through the Pandemic
  • Summer Legislative Update from MASA Lobbyist Valerie Dosland
  • Federal Advocacy Update from your Minnesota AASA Governing Board Members
  • Legal Issues: Emotional Distress Damages Unavailable Under Some Federal Civil Rights Laws
  • Put Me in Coach...Notes for Mentors: The End We Seek
  • Thank you, 2021-22 Mentors!
  • 2022 MASA Retirements
  • 2022 MASA Board and AASA Governing Board Election Results
  • And more!

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The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) and School Election Strategies present a professional development opportunity ...
 
Getting Out the Vote 
presented by Dr. Don Lifto, School Election Strategies
This session will provide school leaders with research and strategies to improve their desired voter turnout in a school referendum.
 
Wednesday, September 7  •  10:30 - 11:45 am
Presented virtually.
Can’t attend? Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recorded session.

 
GOTV (Getting out the Vote) is the last of the "Big Three" campaign strategies (Canvassing, Communications and GOTV). The success (or lack thereof) of a school district's GOTV efforts is often the difference between winning and losing. This workshop will focus on research and best practices associated with successful GOTV execution and is intended for school leaders, board members and community leaders working on a campaign. Don Lifto, from School Election Strategies, has written three books on school tax elections, has been published in national journals more than 20 times and is a frequent presenter at national conferences. His most recent book, co-authored with Barb Nicol, includes a chapter on GOTV execution and can be found at https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475845952/School-Tax-Elections-Planning-for-Success-in-the-New-Normal-3rd-Edition

Cost: $60 per registration
Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recorded session.
Register using the Zoom link below and following the session we will send you an invoice and your link to the session recording.

Important: You may cancel your registration on the Zoom registration page before the session, but note that everyone who registers and does not cancel before the session will receive an invoice whether or not they attend the session.

Registration:
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkc-qrrTMjHNQJ4mUCcyBNeTtKTcarCHmb
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

We encourage you to participate in this session whether or not you are currently running a finance election campaign. This is a great opportunity to prepare your district team for future campaigns as well as those happening currently. Remember, each registrant will receive a link to the recorded presentation — a great resource to have in your toolbox regardless of your current campaigning status.

We look forward to seeing you virtually on September 7!

AASA Governing Board Election Results
Congratulations to Superintendents Jeff Elstad and Chris Mills on their election to the AASA Governing Board.

Superintendent Elstad will serve a three-year term on the board (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2025). Superintendent Mills will complete Superintendent David Law's term (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2024). Superintendent Law was elected to the AASA Executive Committee and vacated his seat on the AASA Governing Board.

A special thank you is extended to all of the candidates in this election!

Governing Board members have dual responsibilities. They represent their home state on the Governing Board and they report the work of the Governing Board to their home state affiliate. Through the Governing Board elected representatives, members have a voice in AASA decision-making.

Stay Updated on MSHSL Updates: Click here!

Information: Resource regarding school shooting (05/24/22) from Deb Henton
​
As details emerge from the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas today, I am writing to share some thoughts and resources. 
Today's news is so horrific that it is difficult for us to engage. Yet, that is what many of our parents, staff, and students expect us to do. This letter template can be modified to your voice and your school district community. If appropriate, note additional resources that may be available for those who need them or add your own touch to personalize it. 

While the template is view-only, please feel free to make a copy of the document or download it as a Microsoft Word document to revise as you see fit.

We should recognize that parents, staff, and students will be understandably shaken by this news and may require some additional reassurance as our school year comes to a close. Consider finding ways to reaffirm your district's commitment to safety and recognize that some follow-up communication may be needed in the days and weeks ahead.

2022 MASA/MASE Spring Conference Handouts
Thank you for attending our annual spring conference. We hope you enjoyed the event and found lots of opportunities for networking and learning. 
The CEUs were emailed from deb.larson@mnasa.org on March 23, 2022.

All handouts and materials from the 2022 MASA/MASE Spring Conference have been posted on the MASA website. You can find the materials here: https://www.mnasa.org/spring-conference.html.

2022 MASA Spring Award Recipients Announced!

Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award
presented Friday, March 11 at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Dr. Teri Staloch, Superintendent, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools | News Release

Outstanding Central Office Administrator Award
presented Friday, March 11 at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Kay Nelson, Assistant Superintendent, Sartell-St. Stephen Schools | News Release

MASA Distinguished Service Award
presented Thursday, March 10 at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Dr. Tom Melcher, Retired School Finance Director, Minnesota Department of Education | News Release

Minnesota Superintendent of the Year Award
recognized Thursday, March 10 at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
Dr. Michael Funk, Superintendent, Albert Lea Area Schools | News Release

MASA Administrators of Excellence
presented Friday, March 11 at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference
This award honors an administrator annually from each of the nine MASA regions. Read the full news release here.

Region 1: Dr. Matt Hillmann, Superintendent, Northfield Public Schools
Region 2: Mandy Fletcher, Superintendent, Blue Earth Area Schools
Region 3: Dr. Chad Anderson, Superintendent, Tracy Area Public Schools
Region 4: Blaine Novak, Superintendent, New York Mills School District
Region 5: Laine Larson, Superintendent, Brainerd Public Schools
Region 6: Rob Prater, Superintendent, Hinckley-Finlayson Public Schools
Region 7: John Engelking, Superintendent, Proctor Public Schools
Region 8: Lisa Weber, Superintendent, Waubun-Omega-White Earth Schools
Region 9: Dr. Carly Baker, Superintendent, Brooklyn Center Community Schools

MASA and education associations send joint letter to Minnesota Legislative Leaders regarding the MMB surplus announcement
As you consider supplemental budget priorities for the 2022 legislative session, we urge you to make stabilizing Minnesota’s education funding system one of your highest priorities. Two major state policy changes adopted in 2001 and 2002 – repealing the general education levy and removing projected inflation from the state budget forecast – have greatly destabilized Minnesota’s education funding system.... Read the full letter here.

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U.S. Dept. of Education and CDC COVID-19 Dashboard
Today, November 4, 2021, the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is launching a new COVID-19 data dashboard to help the public keep track of the impact of COVID-19 on K-12 schools. The dashboard aggregates in one location data on pediatric COVID-19 cases, youth vaccination rates, and numbers on schools that are operating in-person, hybrid or remote. Data will be updated each week, and where possible, the information is presented geographically so that educators and families can understand the impact of COVID in their communities. This is the first time such data will be presented in a single location to the public.

To present data on school modalities, CDC researchers partnered with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to develop a model to estimate the most likely learning modality (in-person, hybrid, and remote) for public and public charter school districts nationwide. These findings were originally presented in a 
recently published MMWR, and now CDC will be providing the data on a weekly basis.

    MASA
    PO Box 9400
    North St Paul, MN 55109

    Hours

    M-F: 8 am - 5 pm

    Phone

    651-645-6272

    Office Contact

    members@mnasa.org

    Website Contact

    info@mnasa.org

    • Home
    • Fall Exhibitors
    • What's New?
    • About MASA
    • Professional Learning
      • Equity and Excellence in Education
      • BIPOC Affinity Group
      • MASA Mentor Program
      • What we are Reading
      • MASA Master Classes
      • Great Start Cohort
      • MASA Women's Leadership Network
      • Spring Conference
      • Expert Ease Video Library - MASA
      • Other Learning Opportunities
    • Newsroom
    • MASA Jobsite
    • At the Capitol
    • Calendar
    • COVID-19
    • Business Partners
    • foundation
    • Members Only
    • StormReady™
    • Regional Leaders
    • Recognition
    • P-CARD PROGRAM
    • MSDLAF+
    • Crisis Communication Services
    • Great Start Cohort 21-22