MASA eUpdate

Take the opportunity to learn about the new MSHSL enrollment and eligibility committee and a letter to Commissioner Jett about recent OFP guidance. Read the May 29 edition of the Henton Headlines here!

MASA is accepting nominations for the 2026 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year! This award honors outstanding leadership among active Minnesota public school superintendents and selects our state’s candidate for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year. The national winner will be announced at the AASA National Conference on Education, February 12–14, 2026, in Nashville. Nominations are open through August 31, 2025, with applications due by September 22, 2025. Learn more about eligibility, selection criteria, and how to submit a nomination on the MASA website: www.mnasa.org/superintendent-of-the-year-nomination.

This award is proudly sponsored by ATSR.

As part of your MASA membership, we are gathering information on superintendent contracts to support and benefit you. By taking part in this initiative, you’ll have access to valuable salary and benefits data from peers in similar roles, helping you prepare for your own contract negotiations. Please click here to submit your data.

Some frequently asked questions can be found on the MASA website: https://www.mnasa.org/supt-contract-survey.html. Deadline to submit your information is June 6, 2025. Remember, you will obtain this valuable information by contributing your contract details. If you have questions please contact Taylor.Ethen@mnasa.org.

Applications are now open for the 2025-26 Minnesota Aspiring Superintendents Academy. Proudly sponsored by Sourcewell, this program is designed for educators across the state who are considering the superintendency as a possible next step in their career path. The program provides a comprehensive experience that covers a wide range of topics, including leadership development, communication, school board relationships, decision-making, community engagement, interviewing and contract negotiation, and much more. The program is facilitated by experienced administrators and experts, providing participants with the skills and knowledge needed to lead a school district.

The program will take place across five two-day sessions from October 2025 to April 2026, in Little Canada. Space will be limited. The cost to participate is $1,250. Please note that this is NOT a licensure program. Full information and application can be found here: https://www.mnasa.org/aspiring-superintendents-academy. Application deadline: August 1, 2025

Take a look at our promotional video with testimonials from successful academy graduates – and be sure to share the flyer!

Do you know someone who should attend this academy? Be sure to share this information with them!

During the legislative session, MASA will be sending out weekly and special updates to members via email. If you missed an update we will be compiling them on the MASA website here: www.mnasa.org/legislative-updates.

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.

Lately, I’ve been leading a lot of leadership team training. In nearly every session, someone shares this use case: using AI to improve the wording of sensitive emails so they do not come across as off-putting.

Here is a prompt you can use to do this:"Rewrite this message so it does not sound off-putting. Be clear, professional, empathetic, yet assertive: [Paste your message here]”

Use this to speed up email communications without sacrificing clarity, tone, or professionalism. Read the post here!

Gruvy Education is a Premier Partner with MASA.

Your Monthly Review of Economic and Market Highlights

Every month, our investment adviser provides a review of the markets, as well as other economic highlights and a recap of investment strategy. Read the review here! MSDLAF+/PFM Asset Management is an Executive Partner of MASA.

Registration is now open for the Minnesota AI Thoughts Leaders’ Summit at St. Cloud Technical High School on June 16-17. Join a diverse and growing coalition of educators, thought leaders, policymakers, technologists, and industry partners from across Minnesota and beyond as we work together to enhance the learner experience in the Age of AI. This two-day summit moves beyond visionary conversations into hands-on learning and collaborative action, focusing on how emerging AI technologies can meaningfully enhance learning, teaching, and leadership.

Episode 18: Bringing a Community Together Through Strategic Planning

Listen here!

In this episode, Bob McDowell talks with Dr. Michael Thomas, Superintendent of Prior Lake Savage Area Schools, about strategic planning as a tool to bring a community together. Dr. Thomas discusses the importance of leading with your "why" in strategic planning, being data-informed, and empowering the community to take ownership of the plan. He also emphasizes the need for multiple stakeholders and perspectives to be involved in the process. Dr. Thomas shares the background work he did to involve the community, build a guiding coalition, and create a timeline for the process. He also talks about the role of communication, using a website and direct mailers to keep the community updated on the progress.

CoSN recently released the CoSN 2025 State of EdTech Leadership Report. Now in its twelfth year, this annual report is based on findings gathered from CoSN’s 2025 State of EdTech District Leadership Survey. Through an analysis of the most recent survey responses, the CoSN 2025 State of EdTech Leadership Report provides important benchmarks on emerging AI technologies and evolving cybersecurity measures. This annual report gives multiple education stakeholders current insights and guidance to help inform their thinking and considerations when making decisions regarding education priorities and budgets. Read the full post at https://www.mnasa.org/cosn.html.

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, "Right Thing at the Wrong Time?" online at: www.mnasa.org/school-tax-elections.

Communicating how school funding works in Minnesota is no small task—especially with many districts facing tough budgeting decisions. To help, we’ve partnered with Captivate Media + Consulting to create a free video that clearly explains school funding and why so many districts are experiencing financial challenges. A statewide version of the video is available for any district to use at no cost. Watch the video and request a free download here: https://captivatemedia.us/mnschoolfunding/. Captivate Media + Consulting is a proud MASA Business Partner at the Leader Level.

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/.

The MASA Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the Foundation Endowment Campaign! All proceeds from the campaign go toward achieving the Foundation’s mission of enhancing the leadership development of educational administrators just like you. Full info at www.mnasa.org/donate.

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!

View the full eUpdate here!

members@mnasa.org | www.mnasa.org

P.O. Box 427, Medford, MN 55049

(651) 645-6272

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