MASA eUpdate

This week's edition of the "Henton Headlines" features MASA’s continued involvement in the MSHSL “Together We are Better” initiative, a call for interest in serving on the Together 4.0 Steering Committee, a helpful Tiered Licensure renewal graphic from PELSB, and two free resources: an inspirational Teacher Appreciation Week video and a school funding explainer video for your community. Read the full post here.

Tuesday, April 29

12 - 1 pm Central Time | Add to calendar

Hosted via Zoom | Register here!

Presented by Richard Ungar, Director of Engagement, BARR Center -and-

Grace Yang, Restorative Practices Specialist, MDE

The BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) model is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach designed to improve student outcomes through personalized support, data-driven decisions, and an emphasis on the holistic well-being of students. This session will explore the journey of implementing the BARR model district-wide, from pilot phases to full-scale adoption, and the measurable impacts this has had on student success. Attendees will learn about the practical strategies, challenges, and successes associated with integrating this model at a district level, and how it can foster a supportive, high-performance educational environment for all students. Learn about our presenters here.

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!

The MASA spring newsletter has been published online! You can read the latest edition at www.mnasanews.org.

Presented by MDE Early Education Division Specialists

Monday, April 28 | 11:00am – 12:00pm

Zoom | Register Here!

This information session focuses on boosting kindergarten attendance by examining successful district strategies and highlighting the importance of engaging communities with high absenteeism rates. Please share with members of your leadership team!

About Our Presenters
Olivia Christensen, PhD., is the Kindergarten and Early Elementary Specialist in the Early Education Division where she supports kindergarten and early elementary related initiatives across the agency.

Kate Dole is an Early Education Specialist in the Early Education Division at MDE. She supports Early Childhood Special Education, as well as early general education initiatives.​

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 members are invited save the dates for a series of virtual legislative updates from MASA Lobbyist Valerie Dosland during the 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session! We are happy to partner again with the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) for these sessions.

All sessions will be held virtually from 12:30 - 1:30 pm from January to May, 2025!. You can find the dates and zoom access to the webinars online at www.mnasa.org/legislative-webinars.

Business Partner Level: Friend Level
Industry: Furniture and Equipment

Why do you partner with MASA and MN schools? To support schools and districts meet the challenging situations they face every day.

MASA Member Contact

Scott Weiss

President

scott@vipschools.com

(319) 377-4078

https://www.vipschools.com/

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.

Yesterday, President Trump signed a major Executive Order on AI in education. Here’s what you need to know. At the end, you’ll find a “What You Can Do Now” section.

AI Training for Teachers Is Now a Federal Focus

The Department of Education has been directed to prioritize grants that support teacher training in using AI to cut admin tasks, bringing AI into everyday lessons, and teaching the fundamentals of AI and computer science... Read the full AI School Leadership Minute here!

Gruvy Education is a MASA Premier Business Partner

June 16-17, 2025

Tech High School, St. Cloud

Registration

View and share the flyer

Join thought leaders in education, policy and industry to harness the power of Generative AI in education. What to expect:

• Inspiring keynotes & expert panels
• Collaboration & action planning
• Focus on creativity, human-AI collaboration & personalized learning
• Ethical discussions on content creation, authorship & agency
• Breakout Sessions that examine how to implement AI with a focus on fairness, safety and continuous improvement.

July 21-24, and August 12-15 dates have been added to the 2025 SRO Training dates. Locations to be held in Fridley and Bemidji. View the flyer for details here!

In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature allocated $7 million in grants to regional emergency communications/services boards to accomplish digital geographic information system (GIS) mapping for facilities managed by a school district, as provided in 2024 Minnesota Session Laws, Chapter 123, Article 1, Section 18. This applies to public, private, charter, tribal contract schools, Minnesota State Academies, intermediate school districts or cooperative units, the Perpich Center for the Arts, which serve the educational needs of children in early childhood or prekindergarten programs or K-12 students. This program is voluntary for schools.

District Superintendents should expect to receive communication from the regional emergency communications/services boards in which their district resides or their county emergency managers regarding the project and whether districts would like to participate. Read the full information here!

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, "Leading the Parade" 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. Can your fellow MASA members count on your support for 2024-25? 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!

Facilitated by Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent, Edina Public Schools
Last Session: May 9 | 8 - 9 am via Zoom
The final is open to MASA members only

Join the final session here!

If you know of a colleague who would benefit from attending these sessions, please forward this information to them. CEUs have been requested from the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (BOSA). Participants must attend the sessions synchronously to be eligible for CEUs. Full info at the Women's Leadership Network webpage.

Facilitated by Dr. Bernadeia Johnson
Last Session: May 20 | 8 - 9 am via Zoom
Final session open to MASA and non-members

Join the final session here!

MASA members and our fellow educational leaders are invited to join the 2024-25 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Leadership Group. If you have any colleagues who would benefit from this group, please encourage them to attend! Full session schedule and information can be found at www.mnasa.org/bipoc.

MASA is pleased to introduce our LGBTQ+ leadership group facilitated by Dr. Teri Staloch, Superintendent of Robbinsdale Area Schools and Nik Lightfood, Assistant Superintendent, Hopkins Public Schools. The goal of this group is to provide a confidential, supportive space for LGBTQ+ school administrators to connect, share their unique experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions. The group sessions will not be recorded. We welcome all MASA and non-member central office administrator level staff and higher to participate in these virtual sessions!

Meetings will be held virtually via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon, with the exception of the February and March dates. Full information and all meeting dates can be found at www.mnasa.org/lgbtq-leadership-group.

Facilitated by Dr. Michael Thomas
Final session is May 27 | 8 - 9 am via Zoom

Register the last session here | No cost to attend!

MASA members are invited to join us in a series of 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. Please note that at this time, participation in this series is open to MASA members only. Full session schedule and information can be found at www.mnasa.org/professional-dialogue-sessions.

members@mnasa.org | www.mnasa.org

P.O. Box 427, Medford, MN 55049

(651) 645-6272

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