MASA eUpdate

This week's edition of the "Henton Headlines" features a save-the-date announcement for the 2nd Annual MN Thought Leaders’ Summit: Learning in the Age of AI and a recap of Deb’s attendance at the ASU+GSV Summit, where U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon shared remarks on school choice, federal funding, and innovation in education. Read the full post here.

Thank you to all voting members who participated in this year’s election. Your engagement strengthens our association. We also appreciate the candidates who ran for positions on the MASA Board of Directors and the AASA Governing Board. Your leadership makes a difference.

President-Elect (2025–26)

Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, St. Cloud Area School District

Read the full results here!

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.​

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.

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: Key Level
ISG also proudly sponsors the 2042-5 Advanced Leadership Academy

Industry: Architecture, Engineering, Environmental, and Planning

Partnering with MASA + Minnesota Schools

Supporting Minnesota’s school districts is important to ISG. For over a decade, ISG has partnered with MASA to connect with school leaders at conferences, trade shows, and through sponsorships. While our expertise includes facility assessments, long-range planning, renovations, and expansions, we know that buildings are just one piece to a thriving school district and community. We recognize that education leaders may not specialize in facilities, so our education team is committed to supporting the entire educational mission by facilitating the visioning, planning, updating, expanding, and overall improvement of district facilities.

Success Stories

“ISG’s attention to detail is unmatched. The needs of all students is evident in their thoughtful planning and designs. They are professionals, listen to stakeholders, and craft sensible solutions.” Jeff Sampson, Superintendent, Cannon Falls Area Schools

Our education portfolio: https://www.isginc.com/education-business-unit#Overview

MASA Member Contact

Kevin Bills Educational Business Unit Leader

kevin.bills@isginc.com | 952-426-0699

https://www.isginc.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.

June 16, 2025 | 8:30 am - 4 pm

Breezy Point Resort
Register here!

This training is designed for superintendents seeking to develop and enhance their leadership skills to inspire and support leadership teams and staff in achieving high expectations and fostering continuous growth. Participants will be able to distinguish between management and leadership, incorporating a nuanced understanding of both concepts into their professional practice. Through an exploration of key principles, participants will gain insights into how effective management and leadership can be synergistically employed to achieve organizational success. Participants will explore the multifaceted nature of effective leadership, emphasizing the creation of a positive culture marked by collective efficacy, collaboration, commitment, and trust. Sourcewell is long-time MASA Business Partner at the Premier Level.

Don't miss the latest episode of Rethink Possible from CESO, featuring MASA's own David Law, Superintendent of Minnetonka Schools. Superintendent Law shares strategies for involving students—from having them present at board meetings to serving on committees and participating in forums on public policy issues. He emphasizes the need to constantly reinvent how schools gather student input and the importance of being intentional in setting expectations for student involvement. Listen to the episode here!

May 13 & 14 | Plymouth, MN

Full information and registration

Join Safe and Sound Schools and the Plymouth Police Department for an impactful and inspiring two-day event. Learn from nationally recognized speakers, explore best practices, discover programs, and gain actionable insights for your schools and communities. Don’t miss your opportunity to attend!

Looking to enhance your employee benefits package? The Partners in Education Program makes it easy. With exclusive insurance solutions designed specifically for educators and value-added programs that provide trusted financial wellness, insurance solutions, other educator perks, Partners in Education supports educators inside and outside the classroom.

How the Partners in Education Program makes it easy:

• Turnkey setup – We handle everything from district onboarding to product execution.
• Dedicated Partnership Manager – Your dedicated Horace Mann expert for seamless implementation and educator support.
• Custom marketing & communications – Engaging materials tailored for your district.

With all the trusted insurance and financial products Horace Mann has offered to educators for decades, we can implement the Partners in Education Program anywhere, even without a local agent. School leaders nationwide trust our Partners in Education Program to deliver a flexible, effective solution that supports educators and staff on their terms. Give us a call at 602-733-1768 or reach out here.

Horace Mann is a long-time MASA Business Partner at the Fellow Level.

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.

Wednesday, April 16 | 9am - 3:30pm CDT
Minneapolis, MN

Registration and Full Info

Join Minnesota Alliance With Youth and Minneapolis Public Schools at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) for a day of learning and collaboration. This in-person event will bring together educators, administrators, and community members to discuss strategies for improving school attendance. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about creating a positive school environment. Register now to secure your spot!

Striving Together with Empathy, Resilience, and Purpose
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast
Full Info: forms.oce.com/g/WB2FKh1i2x | Event Flyer

Join the MN Department of Human Services for a one-day summit bringing together school leaders, educators, district administrators, and community partners to empower New American students and families. The event will feature:

• National and Local Keynote Speakers – Valentina Gonzalez and Ayan Omar
• Immigration Basics: Educators & Social Workers
• Student and Parent Panel Discussion
• Collaborative Workshops and Best Practices

Minnesota United is once again hosting an “Educator Appreciation Night” at Allianz Field on April 19. All educators are invited to join this game! This night includes the following perks:

• Ticket to our April 19 game against Dallas
• Minnesota United Winter Gloves
• Access to our Post-Game Kick on Goal fan experience, which grants all participants access to the pitch after the match to take a PK on net!

Click here for MNUFC Educator Appreciation Night Tickets. Questions? Contact Molly McGonigle at Molly.McGonigle@MNUFC.com.

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.

Friday, April 18 12:30PM - 2:00PM CDT

Full information and registration!

The State of Minnesota, through Minnesota Management and Budget, has engaged Deloitte tax to provide targeted assistance for the municipalities (which includes counties, cities, municipalities, tribal governments, higher education universities, and other tax-exempt organizations) with their Clean Energy Tax Credits and 990-T available through the Inflation Reduction Act Direct Pay. This will be paid for by Minnesota Management and Budget.

Deloitee will be hosting a series of kick-off calls with the municipalities within the State of MN to provide an overview of the IRA and give instructions on how you can take advantage of the assistance Deloitte has been hired to provide. Please use the link above to register for one timeslot that works best for you. The same content will be covered in each meeting.

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
April 4 | 8 - 9 am | 8 - 9 am via Zoom
Next sessions is open to MASA members only

Register for all the sessions here: https://forms.gle/X8F15m45oZ6aBdTQ8

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 9 | 8 - 9 am via Zoom

Register for all the remaining sessions here: https://forms.gle/8BWUYsurXL2TouvD7

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
Next Session: April 22 | 8 - 9 am via Zoom

Register for all the sessions 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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