October 17, 2024

Letter to PELSB Requesting Flexibility with Science Licensure

Last year during an MASA Legislative Committee meeting, Valerie Dosland and I heard discussions regarding the difficulty of finding appropriately licensed science teachers given the number of specific science licenses available and the grade banding of the licenses. Thanks to Valerie, who contacted the executive director of PELSB, we met with PELSB staff and learned they are also discussing issues surrounding science licensure. We followed up with a letter to PELSB that other education organizations endorsed. You may review the letter here.

*TWO SESSIONS ADDED: Budget Reduction & Strategy Sessions*

In late September many metro area superintendents and their finance staff convened in Bloomington to discuss their upcoming budget reductions and strategies for involving the school board and community. Following the discussion, these same superintendents approached me about having a session during the MASA Fall Conference to share this information with others. Unfortunately, our conference schedule was set so these same superintendents volunteered to present in greater MN. 

What we decided to do was to select some areas in MN where two metro superintendents could present their budget reduction information and strategies for community engagement to any of our colleagues interested in attending. I anticipated that you might have questions, so here is a short Q & A!

What is our hope for these sessions?

• The opportunity for conversation about how we can best share that budget reductions are occurring across the state due to insufficient funding.

• The opportunity to learn more from colleagues about how they are sharing information with their school board members and communities. What strategies are being employed both to reduce budgets and to communicate with others.

• The opportunity to develop talking points that are common across the state and that we can use as we advocate for increased funding.

• That all attendees will have the opportunity to share their budget situations, their insights, and network with colleagues.

Where and when are the sessions? (The two added sessions since the Headlines last week are highlighted in yellow)

October 28, 9 - 10:30 am, Resource Training & Solutions, Sartell, refreshments provided

November 1, 10 - 11:30 am, Southeast Service Cooperative, Rochester 

November 5, 10 - 11:30 am, ARCC, Hermantown, lunch to follow

December 12, 12:15 - 2:30 pm, Lunch at 12:15 pm, meeting at 1 pm, Garden Valley Technologies, Erskine

December 19, 10 - 11:30 am, SWWC Service Cooperative, Redwood Falls Community Center, lunch to follow

Who can attend these sessions?

Superintendents, their finance/business staff, principals - whomever you would like to bring from your staff. You do not have to belong to the organizations hosting the presentations. All host sites welcome you!

Will there be more of these sessions?

At this time, only these five have been scheduled. More may be considered in the future.

Register for a session here: https://forms.gle/4o1hKw78eWWkCNuT7 

Leadership Matters!

“Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership. Always keep your word.” - Brian Tracy