MASA eUpdate

This week's edition of the "Henton Headlines" features the inspiring remarks of Polaris Award recipient Dr. Theresa Battle, whose reflections on servant leadership and dedication to education were shared following technical difficulties at the Fall Conference. It also highlights the full membership list of the newly released Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education. Read the full post here!

Three sessions | November 5 - December 10, 2025 | Quora Education Center

Full information here!

Back by popular demand! In response to feedback from our members and aspiring superintendents, MASA has developed an academy focused on finance topics especially relevant to the superintendency. These three sessions will provide opportunities for reflective leadership and skill development, equipping participants with the tools and strategies needed to succeed in the role of superintendent.

Who should attend?

• New Superintendents
• Newer Superintendents
• Aspiring Superintendents
• Anyone interested in a finance refresher on school finance topics!

If you are already registered for the Great Start Cohort, there is no need to register for this academy as it is included in the Great Start Cohort experience.

The MASA Instructional Leadership Network is merging this year with the Minnesota Association of Curriculum Leaders (MACL) Network. We are excited about this partnership and the opportunities it creates to strengthen our collective impact. Together, we remain committed to meeting every student where they are, helping them (and their leaders) grow in their skills, and supporting their interests and passions. Full update and 2025-26 session dates can be found 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 was 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!

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!

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.

Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 10 - 11 am (CDT) via zoom | Full info & registration

When school districts borrow money for major projects, earning more on short-term investments than the interest paid on long-term debt can create IRS compliance issues. This session will break down the rules, key deadlines, and smart strategies so your district can stay compliant, avoid penalties, and make the most of available opportunities.

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!

Thank you to all of our attendees at the 2025 MASA Fall Conference in Duluth! Your presence and participation helped make this year’s event a memorable and inspiring gathering of school leaders. The evaluation and CEUs information was sent out from members@mnasa.org on Thursday, October 2, subject: "CEUs & Evaluation: Thank You for Making the MASA Fall Conference a Success!"

Upcoming MASA Conferences

2026 Spring Conference

March 19–20, 2026 | Minneapolis Marriott NW, Brooklyn Park

Registration and call for proposals open in January.

2026 Fall Conference
Save the Date: September 27–29, 2026 | Madden’s on Gull Lake, Brainerd
Registration and call for proposals open in July and August.

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.

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!

AASA recently launched their 2025-26 Superintendent Salary and Benefits Survey. The survey is 60 questions, but this data becomes a critical tool for superintendents in negotiations by providing a national look at compensation. Please complete the survey by October 22. Access the survey here!

Our long-time business partner Horace Mann believes those who dedicate their lives to education deserve more — from their insurance and from the companies they trust. That’s why our auto insurance is designed specifically with educators in mind.

As a trusted partner in education for 80 years, Horace Mann offers:

• Special educator discounts
• $0 deductible for vandalism or collisions on or near school property, or at school-sponsored events
• Up to $1,000 for stolen or damaged work-related items in your car
• Liability coverage when you’re transporting students
• Up to $35 in transportation reimbursement if you’re away from school and feel unsafe to drive

These are just a few of the ways Horace Mann goes beyond standard coverage, because we know your work doesn’t stop when the bell rings. Get a quick quote today and see how much you could save.

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, "Post-Election Analysis" online at: https://www.mnasa.org/school-tax-strategies.

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

New:

• MSBA Student School Board Representative Event, October 29 @ 9:00 am - 1:30 pm in Farmington. Full info | Info flyer

• Youth Human Trafficking: Risk Factors and Protective Actions for K-12 Schools | Full story here.

• PELSB: Science Teacher Educator and Licensure Working Group | Full info here.

• PELSB: Fall Updates | Read it here.

• MDE: ESEA Title Programs Update (October 1, 2025) | Read it here.

Ongoing:

• PFM Asset Management: Learn About the 10-Step Investment Management Process | Full info & registration

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

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!

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!

members@mnasa.org | www.mnasa.org

P.O. Box 427, Medford, MN 55049

(651) 645-6272

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