Professional Learning:
to view our professional learning opportunities click here
to view our professional learning opportunities click here
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MN School Violence Prevention Symposium
We are pleased to announce the collaboration of MASA, MASSP, MESPA, and MSBA in offering a School Violence Prevention Symposium. We invite all members of our organizations, along with the members of your school district safety team, to join us at the Park Event Center in Waite Park, Minnesota, on Monday, December 5, 2022. Violence prevention is a concern for all of us and our professional organizations.
Symposium Information
Date: Monday, December 5, 2022
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Park Event Center in Waite Park, Minnesota
Registration and full information: https://massp.org/svps
We have planned a uniquely informative and engaging conference that will provide helpful information as your team identifies the next steps in violence prevention. For more information click here.
We know you share our sense of urgency around this topic. Please make plans to join us on December 5, 2022.
We are pleased to announce the collaboration of MASA, MASSP, MESPA, and MSBA in offering a School Violence Prevention Symposium. We invite all members of our organizations, along with the members of your school district safety team, to join us at the Park Event Center in Waite Park, Minnesota, on Monday, December 5, 2022. Violence prevention is a concern for all of us and our professional organizations.
Symposium Information
Date: Monday, December 5, 2022
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Park Event Center in Waite Park, Minnesota
Registration and full information: https://massp.org/svps
We have planned a uniquely informative and engaging conference that will provide helpful information as your team identifies the next steps in violence prevention. For more information click here.
We know you share our sense of urgency around this topic. Please make plans to join us on December 5, 2022.
Session Dates Announced! MASA Professional Dialogue Sessions with Willie Jett
MASA Members are invited to join Willie Jett in a series of eight professional dialogue sessions exploring topics of interest to our currently practicing school administrators. While the topics may be general in nature, the group will specifically address issues of race and culture pertinent to the conversation.
The topics for the sessions were created based on responses to a recent survey sent to all MASA members.
Check out the informational flyer online here!
Register for the first session here!
Session Dates & Topics
All sessions are held 9 - 10 am virtually on Zoom!
Note: Sessions will not be recorded. Please plan to attend virtually on the day of the session!
Cost
Due to the generous support of the MASA Foundation, these sessions are offered to MASA members at no cost.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Participants of all eight sessions will receive 8 clock hours of CEUs issued by the MN Board of School Administrators (BOSA). If you are unable to attend all of the sessions, the number of clock hours will be adjusted on your final issued CEU certificate based on the number of sessions that you attended.
MASA Members are invited to join Willie Jett in a series of eight professional dialogue sessions exploring topics of interest to our currently practicing school administrators. While the topics may be general in nature, the group will specifically address issues of race and culture pertinent to the conversation.
The topics for the sessions were created based on responses to a recent survey sent to all MASA members.
Check out the informational flyer online here!
Register for the first session here!
Session Dates & Topics
All sessions are held 9 - 10 am virtually on Zoom!
- November 22: Staff Recruitment and Retention | Register
- December 20: Building Trust and Loyalty in Your Team | Register
- January 17: Creating Inclusive School and Work Environments | Register
- February 21: Supporting New Staff | Register
- March 21: Leading Through Challenge/Staying True to Self | Register
- April 11: Building Coalitions: Capturing Student and Staff Voice to Leverage Change | Register
- May 16: Finding Work/Life Balance | Register
- June 20: End-of-Year Wrap Up | Register
Note: Sessions will not be recorded. Please plan to attend virtually on the day of the session!
Cost
Due to the generous support of the MASA Foundation, these sessions are offered to MASA members at no cost.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Participants of all eight sessions will receive 8 clock hours of CEUs issued by the MN Board of School Administrators (BOSA). If you are unable to attend all of the sessions, the number of clock hours will be adjusted on your final issued CEU certificate based on the number of sessions that you attended.
Dr. Matthew Hillmann is the 2023 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Matthew Hillmann, Superintendent of Northfield Public Schools, the 2023 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. As the Minnesota honoree, Dr. Hillmann is a candidate among other state recipients for National Superintendent of the Year, to be announced during the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education on February 16-18, 2023, in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Hillmann was selected for this honor by a panel of representatives from a variety of Minnesota education organizations. Nominees are evaluated on how each candidate demonstrates leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement. Read the full news release here!
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Matthew Hillmann, Superintendent of Northfield Public Schools, the 2023 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. As the Minnesota honoree, Dr. Hillmann is a candidate among other state recipients for National Superintendent of the Year, to be announced during the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Conference on Education on February 16-18, 2023, in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Hillmann was selected for this honor by a panel of representatives from a variety of Minnesota education organizations. Nominees are evaluated on how each candidate demonstrates leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement. Read the full news release here!
2022-23 MASA BIPOC Affinity Group Dates Announced!
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators extends a warm invitation to the BIPOC Affinity Group.
MASA members who identify as BIPOC are invited to join the MASA BIPOC Affinity Group and gather with your colleagues for collegiality, discussion, and ideation, focusing on issues of particular interest to BIPOC leaders.
We are grateful to Dr. Bernadeia Johnson for facilitating this group.
Below are the dates for the 2022-23 BIPOC Affinity group and the registration links. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We are asking you to register so we can keep the group’s contact list current.
All meetings will be virtual and take place from 7:30 - 8:30 am.
December 13 | Registration
February 14 | Registration
March 14 | Registration
April 11 | Registration
May 9 | Registration
June 13 | Registration
There is no cost to participate.
The Minnesota Association of School Administrators extends a warm invitation to the BIPOC Affinity Group.
MASA members who identify as BIPOC are invited to join the MASA BIPOC Affinity Group and gather with your colleagues for collegiality, discussion, and ideation, focusing on issues of particular interest to BIPOC leaders.
We are grateful to Dr. Bernadeia Johnson for facilitating this group.
Below are the dates for the 2022-23 BIPOC Affinity group and the registration links. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We are asking you to register so we can keep the group’s contact list current.
All meetings will be virtual and take place from 7:30 - 8:30 am.
December 13 | Registration
- Speaker: Astein Osei, Superintendent, St. Louis Park Public Schools
February 14 | Registration
March 14 | Registration
April 11 | Registration
May 9 | Registration
June 13 | Registration
There is no cost to participate.
MASA fall newsletter published online!
You can view the MASA newsletter website at www.mnasanews.org/latest-edition.
This edition of the newsletter features various topics:
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: Honoring Mia Urick
- A message from your MASA President Matt Hillmann: Public Schools Strengthen Democracy
- Fall Legislative Outlook from MASA Lobbyist Valerie Dosland
- Fall Federal Advocacy Update from your Minnesota AASA Governing Board Members
- Legal Issues: Livin’ on a Prayer: The Kennedy Case and Its Potential Impacts
- Put Me in Coach...Notes for Mentors: Universal Pre-K is an Economic Necessity
- Member Memos: Inflation and the labor market – interconnected and significant pressures facing school districts
- And much more!
Remember that School Staff Shortage Survey you Replied to this Summer?
We are now able to share the results of the survey MASA helped facilitate earlier this year. The response rate was excellent and there are charts and data that are instructive regarding what our school districts are facing in their hiring attempts. The first part of the report identifies who responded and once you scroll past that information, there is useful data and some charts. Thank you for responding to the survey.
We are now able to share the results of the survey MASA helped facilitate earlier this year. The response rate was excellent and there are charts and data that are instructive regarding what our school districts are facing in their hiring attempts. The first part of the report identifies who responded and once you scroll past that information, there is useful data and some charts. Thank you for responding to the survey.
Sandra Lewandowski Receives MASA Polaris Leadership Award
MASA has named Sandra Lewandowski, Retired Superintendent of Intermediate School District 287, the recipient of the 2022 MASA Polaris Leadership Award. Lewandowski will be honored for her exemplary school leadership and a lifetime of achievement in education and the wider community at a statewide recognition ceremony at the 2022 MASA Fall Conference, October 2-4.
Polaris, the “North Star,” themes this award because, just as exemplary administrators serve as definitive leaders, Polaris is constant and unmoving in the sky. A navigator’s benchmark, the star marks “true north,” the fundamental direction that defines east, west, and south. With this award, Lewandowski is recognized for qualities such as professional courage, creation of a legacy of excellent leadership, fostering innovation, contribution through example and mentoring, exemplary conduct reflecting integrity and bearing emulation, and significant tenure in each position supporting district vision and affecting positive change.
You can view and share the award news release online here: https://www.mnasa.org/polaris-leadership-award.html.
MASA has named Sandra Lewandowski, Retired Superintendent of Intermediate School District 287, the recipient of the 2022 MASA Polaris Leadership Award. Lewandowski will be honored for her exemplary school leadership and a lifetime of achievement in education and the wider community at a statewide recognition ceremony at the 2022 MASA Fall Conference, October 2-4.
Polaris, the “North Star,” themes this award because, just as exemplary administrators serve as definitive leaders, Polaris is constant and unmoving in the sky. A navigator’s benchmark, the star marks “true north,” the fundamental direction that defines east, west, and south. With this award, Lewandowski is recognized for qualities such as professional courage, creation of a legacy of excellent leadership, fostering innovation, contribution through example and mentoring, exemplary conduct reflecting integrity and bearing emulation, and significant tenure in each position supporting district vision and affecting positive change.
You can view and share the award news release online here: https://www.mnasa.org/polaris-leadership-award.html.
Session Topics Announced! 2022-23 MASA Women’s Leadership Network
You are invited to join the first of six meetings of the 2022-23 MASA Women’s Leadership Network and gather with your colleagues (virtually) for collegiality, discussion, and ideation focusing on issues of particular interest to leaders who are women.
The sessions will each be focused on one topic with time for discussion and Q & A. They are independent sessions and participants can join one, two, or all three sessions. Leaders who attended similar sessions last year shared how pleased they were with this opportunity!
There is no cost to participate. We are grateful to Dr. Karen Orcutt for once again facilitating our sessions!
December 13, 2022 - Using Resiliency as an Advantage
9 - 10 am
Registration
You are invited to join the first of six meetings of the 2022-23 MASA Women’s Leadership Network and gather with your colleagues (virtually) for collegiality, discussion, and ideation focusing on issues of particular interest to leaders who are women.
The sessions will each be focused on one topic with time for discussion and Q & A. They are independent sessions and participants can join one, two, or all three sessions. Leaders who attended similar sessions last year shared how pleased they were with this opportunity!
There is no cost to participate. We are grateful to Dr. Karen Orcutt for once again facilitating our sessions!
December 13, 2022 - Using Resiliency as an Advantage
9 - 10 am
Registration
School Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Plan Training
MDH is offering school IAQ plan trainings in fall 2022, in-person statewide and a webinar. This training will discuss the state’s best practices for school IAQ management plans. School staff, service providers, and others are welcome to attend. The training is free. Registration is required. See MDH School IAQ Plan Training for details and registration
MDH is offering school IAQ plan trainings in fall 2022, in-person statewide and a webinar. This training will discuss the state’s best practices for school IAQ management plans. School staff, service providers, and others are welcome to attend. The training is free. Registration is required. See MDH School IAQ Plan Training for details and registration
MSHSL News Update: October 6, 2022 | www.smore.com/9hmdp-mshsl-news?ref=email
Topics:
Topics:
- Together We Make a Difference Update
- Student Advisory and Leadership Team (SALT) Applications Sought
- September Connect
Call for Proposals
MASA is inviting proposals for future Master Classes!
We know our members are busier than ever. We also know that our members are learners, and value the opportunity to enhance personal and professional skills. MASA is offering a number of shorter workshops that we are calling our Master Classes. A master class is an opportunity offered by an expert presenter to learners of advanced skill in a particular profession or discipline. MASA’s master classes will be held virtually every few weeks or so and will feature presentations that address the expressed needs and interests of our members.
Anyone who is interested in presenting a master class is invited to submit a proposal by clicking here. This brief proposal form takes only a few minutes to complete. This is an ongoing invitation, so there is no deadline for submissions.
Some things to note:
MASA is inviting proposals for future Master Classes!
We know our members are busier than ever. We also know that our members are learners, and value the opportunity to enhance personal and professional skills. MASA is offering a number of shorter workshops that we are calling our Master Classes. A master class is an opportunity offered by an expert presenter to learners of advanced skill in a particular profession or discipline. MASA’s master classes will be held virtually every few weeks or so and will feature presentations that address the expressed needs and interests of our members.
Anyone who is interested in presenting a master class is invited to submit a proposal by clicking here. This brief proposal form takes only a few minutes to complete. This is an ongoing invitation, so there is no deadline for submissions.
Some things to note:
- Topics can be any subject that would interest educational leaders.
- Sessions are short, 90 minutes at most.
- Because we offer the sessions at no charge to our members, presenters are not compensated.
- Sessions are presented virtually using Zoom.
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 go 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!
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 go 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!
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!
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:
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.
A related question asks whether the 30 days are calendar days or work days. My presumption is calendar days.
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?
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.
