MASA eUpdate

This week's edition of the "Henton Headlines" features an overview of new state requirements for reporting student absences, including updated responsibilities for principals, superintendents, and local agencies. It also includes information on the newly formed Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education and a link to follow the group's upcoming work. Read the full post here!

MASA has named Dr. Theresa Battle, Retired Superintendent of Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, the recipient of the 2025 MASA Polaris Leadership Award. Dr. Battle will be honored for her exemplary school leadership and a lifetime of achievement in education during the MASA Fall Conference, September 28–30, 2025, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) in Duluth, MN. Read the full story here!

Join us for a refreshing mountain fall bike ride On Sunday, Septebmer 28 from 12 - 2 pm with Superintendent John Magas, leaving from the Duluth Public Schools District Office. It’s a great chance to get some fresh air, connect with peers, and enjoy the beauty of Duluth in autumn. Attendees will need to provide their own bike | Full details here!

Tuesday, September 30th | Following the MASA Fall Conference

Join colleagues from across Minnesota for an exclusive tour of Rock Ridge High School. Read full details and how to RSVP here!

What you’ll experience on the tour:

• Academy-style learning
• Career and technical education (CTE) in action
• Community-driven design and construction

First Session is November 4 at 8:00 am via Zoom!

MASA members and our fellow educational leaders the 2024-25 BIPOC Leadership Group. The goal of this group is to gather with your colleagues for collegiality, discussion, and ideation, focusing on issues of particular interest to BIPOC leaders. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Bernadeia Johnson will again be facilitating the group! The 2025-26 dates are open to all leaders within MASA and beyond! If you know of a colleague who would benefit from attending these sessions, please forward this information to them.

Register for the 2025-26 sessions here!

Note: When you register for Session 1, MASA will automatically register you for all the sessions!

Thank you to Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools, for facilitating our sessions again this year. The 2025-26 dates are open to all female leaders! If you know of a colleague who would benefit from attending these sessions, please forward this information to them.

Register for the 2025-26 sessions here!

Note: When you register for Session 1, MASA will automatically register you for all the sessions!

MASA has named Dr. Kristin Dehmer, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Administrative Services for Moorhead Area Public Schools, recipient of the 2025 Richard Green Scholar Award. Dr. Dehmer will present her research at the 2025 MASA Fall Conference, September 28–30, at the DECC in Duluth, MN. Read the full story here!

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 10 - 11 am (CDT) via Zoom | Full info & registration!

Looking for free, ready-to-implement resources to support your teacher pipeline? Join this virtual breakout session to discover how TeachMN can become your recruitment partner—connecting non-licensed staff, community members, and students to the support they need to become licensed Minnesota teachers.

If you’re an MASA member who is new to your current role this year (not necessarily new to your district) and you don’t yet have a mentor, please reach out to Dr. Lori Zimmerman so we can add you to the mentor list. Email Dr. Zimmerman here!

Show your MASA pride with our exclusive apparel collection! Explore the full collection today here!

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

Last Call for Registrations!

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.

Join us on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Nemadji Golf Course in Superior, WI, for the Dale G. Jensen Classic Golf Tournament in support of the MASA Foundation.

Space is limited—reserve your spot now here!

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.

We’re excited to launch our new Member Spotlight series, highlighting the voices, experiences, and stories of MASA leaders across Minnesota.

View the full eUpdate here!

Webinar | October 2, 2025 at 1 pm ET | Registration | Full info

Technology Can’t Undo What We Fail to Detect | Case Study: 2025 Park Avenue Mass Shooting

On a quiet evening in July 2025, an attacker armed with an AR-15 entered the lobby of 345 Park Avenue in Manhattan. Within seconds, four lives were lost. This tragedy raises a critical question: how do we detect firearms and notify law enforcement before a shot is fired?

ZeroEyes is a Key Level Business Partner

and a refreshment sponsor at the MASA Fall Conference.

2025 PFMAM National POWERhours: Investment Training Webinar Series II

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 12-1 pm Central | Full info & registration

This session will introduce the 10-step investment management process that we utilize for managing public funds. This process is based on the core principles of designing an investment management program that incorporates state statutes and best practices to help ensure that local governments invest prudently and provide safeguards to uphold the three investment objectives: safety, liquidity, and yield. Additionally, the session will review key elements of investment policies, internal controls, and reporting on public funds.

On Wednesday, September 17, the Federal Reserve (Fed) announced the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (bps) to its new range of 4.00% - 4.25%. Recently confirmed Fed Governor Stephen Miran dissented, preferring a larger 50 bps cut. Read the full story here.

MSDLAF+/PFM Asset Management is an Executive Level Business Partner.

In this episode, Bob speaks with Dr. Bryan Bass, the assistant superintendent in Osseo Public Schools. They discuss the importance of continuous improvement in schools and how it is operationalized through alignment of strategic goals, moving adults, and outcome metrics. Dr. Bass also talks about the significance of humanizing the work and creating space for leaders to effectively carry out their roles. Listen to the full podcast here!

CESO is a Leader Level Business Partner.

School leaders today face skepticism, misinformation, and divided communities—all while managing funding, enrollment, and safety. Clear, effective communication builds trust and inspires action. Captivate Media + Consulting helps schools shine through strategic video production and storytelling campaigns. Learn how they can support you this year!

Captivate Media + Consulting is a Leader Level Business Partner.

New:

• 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Now Open! | View the letter and communications toolkit here!

• AI School Leadership Minute: Create Slide Decks in Seconds | Read the post here.

Ongoing:

• MESPA: Empowering Excellence Workshop Series for experienced principals (years 6-35) | Pass along the info!

• Homerun Leadership Workshop: You’re Invited to attend our 1 day Homerun Leadership Workshop! Seats are limited — reserve yours here: https://bit.ly/4nymFBK | Homerun Leadership is a Friend Level Business Partner of MASA.

• Math Scores on the Decline: Does this Equation have a Solution? Read more! | Littera Education is a Friend Level Business Partner of MASA.

• Crisis Communications Training: Eckberg Lammers is offering a crisis communications training in January. Full details and registration!

• MDE Read Act Updates - September 2025 | Read it here.

If you are running a school funding ballot measure this fall, we want to share a resource that may be helpful in your communications with your community...

You might remember that MASA, in partnership with Captivate Media + Consulting, created a school funding video designed to explain the complexities of school funding in Minnesota in a clear and engaging way. This video is available to you at no cost, and we encourage you to use it in your outreach efforts leading up to election day. Access the video and additional resources on our website: https://www.mnasa.org/schoolfunding

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.

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!

Next Session! October 21, 2025 from 8:00 – 9:00am via Zoom

Thank you to Dr. Michael Thomas, Superintendent of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, for hosting this series again. Please note that at this time, participation in this series is open to only MASA members!

Register for all the 2025-26 sessions here!

members@mnasa.org | www.mnasa.org

P.O. Box 427, Medford, MN 55049

(651) 645-6272

Facebook | X | LinkedIn