September 12, 2024

Changes to the PSEO Law for 2024

1. New this year is a requirement for students to notify their school district by October 30 of each year if they wish to enroll in PSEO for the spring semester, and by May 30 if they want to enroll for the fall semester the following year. 

2. Postsecondary institutions must now notify a PSEO student’s high school if they are absent from a course for 10 consecutive days on which classes are held.

3. If a school district has weighted grade point averages (GPA) the school board must now adopt a policy that consistently weights credits earned in Advanced Placement, PSEO and College In the School Courses. One cannot be granted more weight than the other. If school districts do not have a weighted grading system, no changes need to be made.

Shout-out to MASA Members in Statewide Leadership Roles Representing You!

• Superintendent Kurt Stumpf of Pequot Lakes Schools serves as the Superintendent representative on PELSB.

• Superintendent Don Peschel of Sauk Centre Schools serves as MASA’s Class A representative on the MSHSL Governing Board and the President of the MSHSL.

• Superintendent Renee Corneille of St. Anthony-New Brighton School District serves as the Class AA representative on the MSHSL Governing Board.

• Special Services Director Niceta Thomas of Roseville Schools is serving as MASA’s representative on the Paraprofessional Qualifications workgroup established by the 2024 legislature.

• Superintendent Reggie Engebritson of the St. Louis County Schools is serving as one of two Superintendent representatives on the Special Education Reciprocity workgroup established by the 2024 legislature.

• Superintendent Val Rae Boe of the Northeast Metro 916 Independent School District is serving as one of two Superintendent representatives on the Special Education Reciprocity workgroup established by the 2024 legislature.

• Superintendent Matt Schultz of Lanesboro Schools is serving as one of two Superintendent representatives on the Teacher and Paraprofessional Compensation workgroup established by the 2024 legislature.

• Superintendent Kim Hiel of Osseo Area Schools is serving as one of two Superintendent representatives on the Teacher and Paraprofessional Compensation workgroup established by the 2024 legislature.

Thanks to all for serving in these additional capacities. If you are serving in a statewide leadership role and I missed you, please let me know!

Addition to the Professional Assistance Team, P.A.T., Who is Ready to Support You!

Along with retired superintendents Jeff Holm and Tom Lee, current Superintendents Reggie Engebritson, and Theresa Battle, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog will be available for confidential conversations with you. All of these individuals have expertise and will offer great support as you deal with your most pressing needs. Find all of their contact information at www.mnasa.org/professional-assistance-team.

Here is additional information about Peter. Summaries about the others appeared in last week’s Headlines.

Peter Olson-Skog

Superintendent

W. St. Paul-Mendota Hgts.-Eagan Area Schools

peter.olsonskog@isd197.org

​651-216-7304

Dr. Peter Olson-Skog began serving as Superintendent of West Saint Paul, Mendota Heights, and Eagan Area Schools in 2017. He was named a Richard Green Scholar for his doctoral research, which described how district offices can support and empower principals. He has also been an assistant superintendent, director of teaching and learning, principal, research/assessment/evaluation coordinator, and teacher.

Dr. Olson-Skog has given all of this tuition money to the University of Minnesota. He holds a BA in Elementary Education, an MA in Human Resource Development, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy. His K12 principal and superintendent licensure were also from the U of M. Go Gophers!

​He and his wife, Amy, their three kids, and two dogs have lived in the metro area since 1999. Growing up, Peter lived on both coasts and in Canada, yet you won't catch him saying "Eh" anymore. 

When you Learn about the Passing of a Former MASA Member, Please let us Know

You can share information on the passing of a member with sara.klecker@mnasa.org, or deb.henton@mnasa.org

Our members want to reach out to loved ones who lost a family member or to learn of a colleague no longer with us. Members are grateful when we share the news, albeit very sad news. We appreciate knowing as soon as the information is public rather than months later, though we will still send that information upon receipt.

Thank you for your assistance.

Leadership Matters!

In honor of the late James Earl Jones who once said in A Field of Dreams…

“The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and what could be again.”