June 27, 2024

*Save the Date: Earned Sick and Safe Time, ESST, Webinar Scheduled

Do you have questions about implementing the recent changes to ESST? This webinar is in response to requests for more information regarding ESST and is being offered through a collaboration of the following education organizations: Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Minnesota Association of School Business Officials, Association of Metropolitan School Districts, Minnesota School Boards Association, and the Minnesota Rural Education Association.

For this webinar on July 25 from 1 - 2:00 pm we ask that school districts submit their ESST questions here prior to the session. What is received will guide the topics in the webinar. 

This session will be hosted by MSBA. We will pass along the virtual access/registration link when it becomes available! Stay tuned!

MASA Representation on Work Groups

The legislature created special work groups that will begin meeting soon. The number of MASA representatives on the work groups varies according to the legislative directives.

Special Education Licensure Reciprocity Work Group:

Val Rae Boe, Superintendent, Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District 

Reggie Engebritson, Superintendent, St. Louis County School District 

Paraprofessional Qualifications Work Group:

Niceta Thomas, Director of Student Services, Roseville Area Public Schools 

Teacher and Paraprofessional Compensation Work Group:

Matt Schultz, Superintendent, Lanesboro School District 

Theresa Battle, Superintendent, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 

Thank you, Val Rae, Reggie, Niceta, Matt, and Theresa!

*Still Needed - Superintendent for English Learner Task Force*

You may have received the email below that we also received at MASA and were asked to share again with you.  If you would like to serve on this task force, please see the information below. I would appreciate knowing if you submit your name so we can stay in touch regarding the progress of this group. Thank you for your consideration.

MDE Seeking English Learner Task Force Members
MDE, in collaboration with PELSB, is seeking Task Force members for the English learner (EL) Task Force. The EL Task Force was established by the legislature during the 2024 legislative session. The purpose of the EL Task Force is to analyze how public schools use EL revenue at the site level and administrative level, consider how micro-credentials or other certifications may be used to improve collaboration between teachers working with ELs, and make recommendations on how EL revenue can be used more effectively to help students become proficient in English and participate meaningfully and equally in education programs.

MDE is seeking applicants for this new task force in each of the following categories:

• one member who represents school boards;

• one member who represents the superintendents;

• one member who is a teacher of English learners;

• one member who is a teacher in a state-approved alternative program;

• one member who is a director of an English learner program in a school district;

• one member who is a director of a state-approved alternative program;

• one member who is a parent of a student identified as an English learner;

• one member who is a parent liaison to families of English learners in a school district;

• one member who is a parent of a student enrolled in a state-approved alternative program;

• one member from a community organization that works with families of English learners.

Commitment: Participate in all EL Task Force meetings and subcommittee work either in person or virtually. The first EL Task Force meeting will take place on August 13, 2024, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at MDE and monthly thereafter.  In addition, each appointee will participate in at least one subcommittee.   The work group will conclude its duties and expire by February 14, 2025.

Compensation: Members of the EL Task Force are eligible for per diem compensation ($55/day) as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3 as well as applicable expenses such as reimbursement of mileage, child-care, and substitute teacher pay. Applications will be accepted until July 12, 2024 - click here for full info.  Appointed members will be notified by August 1, 2024. Contact ELTaskForce@state.mn.us with questions.

Kind regards,

Mai T Yang

EL Task Force Steering Committee Member, Education Consultant & Alternate Responsible Officer

Might this be of Interest to You?

Jay P. Goldman, the editor of the School Administrator magazine, contacted me to see if I knew of current or retired superintendents who might be willing to share the impact of their high-visibility work roles on the lives of their children in the same school district for an upcoming issue. This subject was last addressed in 2012 and so much has changed since then. A few teen or college-age children of the superintendents will be invited to write about their experiences.

Please email deb.henton@mnasa.org or call me at 651-439-7719 if you would like to be connected with Jay. 

Have any Fun Pics to Share of your Summertime Adventures?

Here is one taken during the recent MASA Board of Directors meeting. MASE also had its retreat at the same location. Recognize anyone?

Leadership Matters
“We cannot solve problems with the kind of thinking we employed when we came up with them.” - Albert Einstein