MASA eUpdate

This week’s edition of the “Henton Headlines” features Superintendent Keith Kottke’s insightful analysis on compensatory education funding and a recap of the newly convened Compensatory Revenue Task Force. It also highlights powerful responses from two MASA members to recent media coverage on superintendent salaries, offering a deeper perspective on the value of educational leadership. Read the full post here!

Last week, the Annunciation Catholic School community experienced an unimaginable tragedy on its campus. Our hearts are with the students, families, and staff as they grieve, heal, and find strength in one another. We invite you to share your words of encouragement and support for the Annunciation Catholic School community. Your messages will be collected through a Padlet and shared with the school to remind them that they are not alone and that colleagues across Minnesota stand with them. Click here to share your words of support

MASA is deeply saddened by the tragic mass shooting that occurred Wednesday at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis. As we all begin to process this heartbreaking event, we want to offer support by sharing resources you may find helpful in addressing the needs of your staff, students, and families during this difficult time. You can find all the compiled resources on the MASA website here!

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (CDT)
Register Here

This session shows participants how to meet Minnesota’s new violence-prevention training requirement in a single class period using the 11-minute Gun Sanity film paired with a state-listed evidence-based mini-lesson, specifically Sandy Hook Say Something. We’ll walk through the turnkey Teacher Kit—discussion prompts, pre/post checks, and documentation—so schools can deploy quickly. Attendees leave with plug-and-play materials and a clear plan to capture impact data.

Presented by:

• Sgt. Melvin Carter Jr. — Retired St. Paul Police Sergeant and Executive Director of Save Our Sons.
• Debbie Schneider — Outreach lead for Save Our Sons and co-developer of the Gun Sanity classroom package.
• Pam Hoff — Special Education teacher instructing Social Studies at Saint Paul Public Schools.

Show your MASA pride with our exclusive apparel collection! From stylish ¼-zips and cozy puffer vests to versatile ½-pullovers, hats, and polos, the MASA store has something for every season and occasion. Whether you’re in the office, at an event, or on the go, you can showcase your commitment to leadership and learning with quality gear designed for comfort and style. Explore the full collection today here!

Please mark your calendars for Monday, March 9, when the annual MASA/MSBA Joint Day at the Capitol will take place. Your presence will be much needed and greatly appreciated! Location TBD and more information to follow as the date approaches!

We are excited to offer an opportunity for MASA members and district-level staff to participate in the Donovan Group Communications Academy 2.0.

The Donovan Group Communications Academy 2.0 is a cohort-based experience designed to help superintendents and district leaders continue to strengthen their communication skills and increase the impact of their leadership. This opportunity is intended for MASA members who participated in last year's Donovan Group Communications Academy and will go deeper in application of strategies and in different topics. Members who feel that the Communications Academy 2.0 is a better entry point for this type of professional learning are welcomed to participate without first experiencing Communications Academy I.

We will be offering this opportunity in partnership with the Donovan Group starting in January 2026. At this time, we are seeking your feedback to tailor this professional learning experience to address the unique communication and community engagement needs of MASA members and their teams.

Please complete this form to express your interest in participating in a second year of professional learning opportunities and provide feedback to help us structure the program effectively. The deadline to complete this form is September 12th by 4:00 PM CDT.

We are pleased to continue offering a professional learning opportunity exclusively for our members, in partnership with the Donovan Group.

Communications Academy I is a cohort-based experience designed to help superintendents and district leaders strengthen their communication skills and increase the impact of their leadership.

Course Highlights:

• Nine virtual sessions led by Donovan Group partners, released monthly from September through April

• Flexible, on-demand access—watch sessions anytime after release to fit your schedule

• Bonus in-person meetings to be offered at upcoming conferences

Visit this page for more information and to register!

Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity for MASA members and secure a year's worth of professional development for your district’s leadership!

September 28–30, 2025 | Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)

Register today!

Special Conference Events

• Dale G. Jensen Classic Golf Tournament – Sunday afternoon at Nemadji Golf Course, supporting the MASA Foundation.

• Years of Service Recognition - Are you reaching a milestone year as an Administrator and/or Superintendent? Complete the form here!

• Welcome Event – Kick off the conference with conversations and dinner on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Garden Event Center.

• Women’s Leadership Celebration – Monday at 4 p.m. at the DECC.

A special thank you to our conference sponsors!

Conference Lanyards Sponsor

Nexus Solutions

Awards Luncheon Sponsors

Proserva

Refreshment and Dessert Station Sponsors

InGensa, Inc

Kennedy & Graven

ZeroEyes Inc.

As of August 14, all booths have been claimed for the 2025 MASA Fall Conference Exhibit Hall.

Business partners are still encouraged to attend the conference as a participant. Attendee registration information can be found here!

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025

Location: Nemadji Golf Course, 5 North 58th Street East, Superior, WI

Times: Tee Times between 12 - 2 pm | Check-In Opens at 11 am

Donation: $50 tax-deductible donation benefiting the MASA Foundation

Green & Cart Fees: $57 plus tax, paid directly to the course (includes cart and hot dog/brat)

Kick off your Fall Conference experience with a day on the greens in support of the MASA Foundation. The annual Dale G. Jensen Classic Golf Tournament is more than just golf—it’s a fantastic opportunity to network with Minnesota’s top educational leaders and fellow business partners while contributing to the growth of educational leadership in our state.

Why Participate?

• Network with superintendents, administrators, and education partners in a relaxed setting
• Support the MASA Foundation’s mission to advance educational leadership
• Enjoy a fun afternoon of golf, great conversation, and camaraderie before the conference begins

Space is limited—reserve your spot now here!

Sponsor a tee box at one of our four available levels and get your name in front of Minnesota’s top educational leaders. Select your sponsorship option in your tournament registration. You will see the options in the add-on section.

Are you reaching a milestone year as an Administrator and/or Superintendent?

Members who have completed 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 years of administrative service and five years as MASA members may receive service pins. Pins are awarded immediately following completion of eligibility years. Eligibility years are counted as school fiscal years.

Members who have completed 10 years of administrative service and five years as MASA members will be recognized in the awards program and with certificates which they will receive by mail following the conference.

To be included in the awards listing, please respond by Monday, September 15. Regretfully, due to publishing deadlines, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to include you in the listing if we do not receive this information by Monday, September 15.

Click here to complete the form!

MASA will be featuring our valued business partners in our weekly association eUpdate to all MASA members. We will select a business partner each week to feature in the weekly eUpdate. Thank you for your continued partnership with MASA!

Submit your business information here: https://forms.gle/q9kjUFV3Dv7aQp7F7.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month

It's time to get back to basics. Life insurance is an affordable way to provide financial stability for your loved ones if something happens to you.

Our long-time corporate sponsor, Horace Mann, has life insurance policies designed with educators in mind, including special rates exclusively for those who work in education.

Click the following link or call: 855-393-7508 today for your free life insurance quote. Get a quote

Horace Mann is a Fellow Level Business Partner with MASA.

As new federal income guidelines take effect for the 2025-26 school year, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) today announced new tools for school districts as they support eligible families in completing the Application for Educational Benefits. Completing the form not only unlocks additional resources for families, such as summer grocery benefits, utility discounts, and test fee waivers, but also secures critical federal investments for schools. Full story here!

Thursday, January 15, and Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center

Click below for more info!

• Workshop and/or roundtable session proposals
• School Excellence Showcase
• Student Talent presentations
• MSBA School Board Member Awards (All-State School Board and Rising Star Award)

Congratulations to the 13 schools named a 2025-2026 Minnesota School of Excellence by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association! Click below to read more about each school!

• Aspen Academy (Savage)
• Lincoln Center Elementary (South St. Paul)
• Mariner Middle School (White Bear Lake Area)
• North Elementary (St. Peter)
• Northside Elementary (St. James)
• Otsego Elementary (Elk River Area)
• Otter Lake Elementary (White Bear Lake Area)
• Paynesville Elementary (Paynesville Area)
• Rahn Elementary (Burnsville-Eagan-Savage)
• Southgate Elementary (Austin)
• Wabasha-Kellogg Elementary (Wabasha-Kellogg)
• Washington Elementary (Mankato Area)
• Watertown-Mayer Elementary (Watertown-Mayer)

Dr. Don Lifto is providing MASA members with 24 referendum strategies under the banner of “School Tax Elections: Winning Strategies in 250 Words.” One strategy will be posted to the MASA website each month.

You can find Don's latest referendum strategy, "Predicting Turnout: Science or Art?" online at: https://www.mnasa.org/school-tax-strategies.

October 8, 2025 - April 15, 2026

6:30-7:45 pm CST

Join all six sessions earn 12 Relicensure Clock Hours

Register for all sessions here!

View the flyer here!

• “Let’s Get CLEAR About the Pedagogy of Confidence," featuring expert Dr. Yvette Jackson
• “Let’s Get CLEAR About Thinking Friends," Featuring expert Dr. David Hyerle and a Practitioner Panel

Launched in 2019 to support concurrent enrollment instructors in meeting the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) requirements for credentialing, Pathway to 18 provided a coordinated application process, shared course options, information about tuition support, and access to graduate credit opportunities offered by the seven universities of Minnesota State in one web location. Due to budgetary constraints, we are no longer able to provide the shared services and coordinated customer service after September 1, 2025. While the systemwide coordination is sunsetting, our universities are now well-positioned to carry this work forward independently. Even with this change, we want to affirm that our commitment to supporting instructors and concurrent enrollment remains strong.

Minnesota State universities will continue to provide:

• Graduate courses aligned with credentialing requirements
• Advising and guidance for instructors pursuing graduate credits
• Credit for prior learning opportunities where available

The tuition support available from the state continues and is managed through Lake Country Service Cooperative in partnership with Minnesota State University Moorhead. Moving forward, instructors will work directly with the university where they plan to enroll. Updated links and resources will be available on the Pathway to 18 website by September 1, 2025, to make it easy to connect with the right campus.

MDH is offering school IAQ plan trainings in fall 2025, in-person statewide and a webinar. This training will discuss requirements and best practices for school IAQ. School staff, service providers, government officials, and others are welcome to attend. The training is free. Registration is required. See MDH School IAQ Plan Training for details and registration.

View the full eUpdate here!

For additional school IAQ support, sign your school up for the American Lung Association’s Clean Air School Challenge. This nationwide program is available to any K-12 school and provides participating schools with technical assistance, learning collaboratives, additional trainings and recognition for school’s efforts. Schools may also apply for mini-grant funding.

Post unlimited job vacancies, for all levels of positions! The MASA Jobsite Online is well managed with daily attention to detail and customer service. The cost of an annual subscription is less than just a few advertisements placed in the major and local newspapers. Also, the Department of Education recognizes the MASA Jobsite as a valid advertisement when a school district is seeking a variance for a teacher in a specific subject. We currently have 118 districts using the Jobsite and they have posted nearly 2,000 jobs!

Don't have a subscription yet? Join today: https://jobsitemnasa.org/.

Need procurement solutions? Please consider checking out our Minnesota School District Purchasing Sites! We have partnered with Sourcewell and Cooperative Purchasing Connection to create two purchasing sites for MASA members! Check them out here!

members@mnasa.org | www.mnasa.org

P.O. Box 427, Medford, MN 55049

(651) 645-6272

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