The Henton Headlines - June 13, 2024

June 13, 2024

Should I Contact My Legislators During the Summer?

Yes! It is never too early to start laying the groundwork for the next legislative session and to thank them for their service. They like hearing from you and we hear your stories repeated at the capitol. It would be beneficial to have school board members contact them as well.

Need some ideas to talk to them about? Here are some to get you started:

Unemployment insurance - how it is affecting your summer workforce and the need for a permanent funding stream;
ESST - how it is affecting your staff attendance (we need to be concerned about both student and staff attendance);
The READ Act - good to receive new funding, yet there will be ongoing professional development needs, additional staffing required, and curriculum costs so one-time funds are not sufficient;
Compensatory Funding - we need a permanent solution and one that does not result in reduced funding;
Staffing - shortages are acute, how might the legislature continue to find ways to incentivize people to join our profession;
LTFM - we need to expand the uses to include roofs (at least seven of our school districts have been notified by their insurance companies that due to the age of their roofs, they are no longer going to cover their building/s).

Remember to share all the good things your district is doing for kids, staff, and the community. Be proud and loud! Your leadership matters.

Will you be Entering the Final Year of your Contract on July 1?

Here is a link to the latest model contract agreed to by MASA and MSBA.

Please remember to check your current contract to see if there is a notification period by which you have to inform the school board you want to enter into negotiations for a subsequent contract and a date that the school board needs to notify you by to let you know if they agree to another contract. The new model contract has this language and it is good for both school boards and superintendents!

Shoutout to all the Service Cooperatives for End of the Year Meetings!

What a great time I had crisscrossing the state recently to meet with colleagues. I am grateful to all of the leaders of the Service Cooperatives who invited me to join them for learning and some fun!