Voice of MN Education

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Contracts

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5! 

Today I share some thoughts on...

1. Membership Renewals:
MASA membership packets were mailed out earlier this month, please remember to send in your renewals.  I also recommend you consider membership in our national organization, AASA.  One of the most important benefits of AASA membership is the legal support you are given.  As a reminder, committee sign-up is all electronic this year so please visit the MASA Web site to sign up.

2. Legends Conference:
The second annual Legends Conference will be held July 25-27 at Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids.  Legends is a retreat for women in educational leadership that presents an opportunity for learning, sharing and reflection.  Remember, you do not have to be a member of MASA to attend this conference.  Watch for registration materials in June.

3. What We Are Reading blog:
I wanted to encourage you to visit MASA's What We Are Reading blog to find two new postings regarding books that will be featured in the upcoming Legends and CLM Conference.

4. Contracts:
Are you entering the last year of your contract?  Now is the time to work on your new contract.  Statute allows you to have a new contract within one year of expiration of your current contract.  If you have any questions or would like some guidance on this process, please give me a call.

5. Regional Meetings:
I'm looking forward to attending the spring regional meetings.  I will be with the Southwest superintendents on May 30, in Region 3 on June 6, attending the Northwest Service Cooperative retreat June 6 - 8 and in Region 7 on June 12.

As always, please contact me at anytime and thank you for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": MASA Committee Sign up Now Open!

MASA's 5 minute update from Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5! 

Today I share some thoughts on...

1. Legislative Update:
The session ended on May 10th and the Vikings Stadium bill did pass.  Please continue to connect with your legislators throughout the summer.

2. Strategic Plan Update:
We are continuing to move forward with our strategic plan and are conducting internal audits next week.

3. Regional Web pages:
Jeanna has done a nice job updating the regional pages on the MASA Web site.  Regional leaders, I encourage you to continue to send your information to Jeanna or Aimee.  I also encourage our members to use these pages as a resource!

4. Committee Sign up:
MASA committee sign up is all electronic this year.  Please visit the MASA Web site to sign up for our committees.  I encourage your participation and greatly appreciate your involvement.  The greatest strength of MASA is our members.

5. Regional Meetings:
I'm looking forward to attending the spring regional meetings.  I will be in Region 1 on May 15, Region 2 on May 16 and Region 6 on May 18.

As always, please contact me at anytime and thank you for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

May 1st Legislative Update from MASA Lobbyist, Valerie Dosland.

Below you will find Valerie Dosland's most recent legislative update...

Today marks the first day the Legislature works past their self-imposed deadline of April 30.  Most issues are resolved except for several significant ones – taxes, bonding and the Vikings Stadium.  As of this morning, no progress has been made on a global agreement so stay tuned.  The Pensions bill has passed the Senate but is awaiting action by the House.  It would then go to the Governor for his signature or veto.

Click here for a summary of where education-related legislation stands. (This contains a great summary of the omnibus education bill).

- Gary

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Watch for membership information

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  I can't believe it's almost May!

Today I share some thoughts on...

1. Legislative Update:
Again, thank you for contacting your legislators regarding Senator Hall's Data Privacy Bill.  The LIFO Bill has not passed either house at this point.  The Ed Omnibus Bill has passed both houses but has not yet been sent to the Governor.

2. MASE Best Practices:
The MASE Best Practices conference will be held next week, May 2-4, at Madden's.  Registration is available on the MASE Web site, please fax registration forms to Deb.

3. Spring Conference Keynote, Annie McKee:
Annie's handouts are available on the MASA Web site.

4. 2012-2013 Membership:
MASA membership registration will be sent out early May.  Please verify all of your contact/membership information is correct.  Committee sign-up will be electronic this year, and you can find the sign up form on the MASA homepage after May 1.

As always, please contact me at anytime and thank you for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Election Results!

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  We are sorry for the Take 5 delay, we had some technical difficulties last week so please consider this last week's update.

Today I share some thoughts on...

1. Legislature:
The legislature was on spring break last week and have reconvened today.  The goal is to get all of their work done by April 30th.  Governor Dayton has indicated he plans to veto the LIFO Bill, but we will have to wait and see how it all plays out.

2. AASA: 
AASA's national conference will be held on Feb. 21-23, 2013 in Los Angeles.  This conference will no longer be a joint conference with the National School Boards Association. 

3. Elections:
We'd like to congratulate our 2012-13 MASA President-Elect Jay Haugen of Farmington Schools.  We'd also like to thank you for participating in our first electronic election.

4.  Regional Meetings:
Spring meetings are quickly approaching and I'm looking forward to meeting with you again!


As always, please contact me at anytime and thank you for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Thank you for a Successful Spring Conference!

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

  

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  Thank you to all for a wonderful spring conference, and remember to save the date for our fall conference: Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 at Madden's in Brainard.

Today I share some thoughts on...

1. The MASA Strategic Plan:
I'm excited to announce that during the March meeting of the Board of Directors, the strategic action plans were approved.  The action plans will be available on the MASA Web site within the next couple of weeks.

2. 2012-13 Elections: 
Remember to cast your electronic ballot for this year's elections.  It only takes a minute.  The elections will close at midnight on April 13.

3. Spring/Summer Regional Meetings:
Regional leaders will be receiving an email from Aimee regarding spring meeting dates.  I look forward to visiting with each region again!

4.  Legislative Update:
- LIFO Bill...The House and Senate have both passed bills and this is currently in the conference committee. It is expected to cross the Governor's desk.
- Pension Plan... We asked you to contact your senators in support of the bill that came out of the pension commission and express that you are not in favor of the daily amendment.  *Note: We received information regarding this bill after we taped today's episode of Take 5.  The Senate Finance Committee, today, approved the original version of the 2012 Omnibus Pension Bill crafted in the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement.  This, in part, was a result of the many contacts made by MASA members. 

As always, please contact me at anytime and thank you for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

 

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Spring Conference is Right Around the Corner

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  It's hard to believe it's already March 1, which means the MASA/MASE Spring Conference is just around the corner.  If you have not yet registered, please do so by tomorrow, March 2, to receive the reduced conference rate.  Registration materials can be found on the MASA Web site.

Today I share some thoughts on...

1. Registration for the March 14th At Ruth's Table is available on the MASA Web site.  This is a great opportunity for women education leaders to gather for learning, networking and idea sharing!

2.  Legislative Update:
- MASA supports a bill that grants school boards local control to begin school before Labor Day.  This bill could be heard on the House floor as early as March 5th.  I encourage you, prior to Monday, to call your representative in support of this bill.
- There is a bill being heard that restricts school district funds to be used to advocate for or against any legislative bill, candidate or school district election question.  MASA is asking that this bill be re-written to encourage the collaborative relationships between our members and their legislators.

As always, thank you for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Legislative Update

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

 

 

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  Today I share what's been happening at the capital...

1. Thank you for your participation during this legislative session, whether it be calling your legislator or attending MASA meetings at the capital.  MASA will continue to ask for your help to move our platform forward.

2.  Bills to watch:  

- LIFO (teacher evaluation and seniority).  MASA would like to see modest changes to teacher evaluation and tenure.
 

- MASA Innovation Bill.  There is a strong possibility MASA's Innovation Bill will be heard by the House Reform Education Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 21.  Representative Sondra Erickson is carrying this bill.
 

- A-F Grading.  This bill has returned from last year, as you know MASA does not support this bill.  With the NCLB waiver, there is  no need to create another grading system in Minnesota.

- Pension Bill.  MASA does not want to see changes to this bill.

Thanks for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Principal Evaluation Work Group Completes Task

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  Today I share some thoughts on the following items:

*Principal Evaluation Working Group - The report has been submitted to the legislature.  The model does not require a specific percent of the evaluation be based on student achievement/school data.  Local districts will decide how those areas are incorporated in the evaluation process.

*Board of School Administrators (BOSA) - BOSA is working with the legislature to amend statute 122A.14.  If a person does not pay the yearly board fee of $75, the amendment will give BOSA the authority to automatically suspend a person's license, without the right to a hearing, until the fee has been paid to the board.

*Action Teams - Over 50 members will be participating during this part of the strategic vision process.  Thank you for your involvement!

*Management Concerned for Public Education (MCPE) - Please consider becoming a member.  The $50 dues helps to support our efforts to interact with our legislators.

Thanks for all that you do for the children of Minnesota!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Principal Evaluation Working Group Progress

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  Today, I focus on the work of the Principal Evaluation Working Group.  You may recall that the group must present their model to the legislature by February 1, 2012.  Implementation must take place by July 1, 2013.  It is important to keep in mind that this is simply a model that you can consider using.  You have the right to create your own model.  You need to make sure that your model contains all components identified in state law.  A big issue that has arisen is the potential use of an arbitrary percent of the evaluation based on student achievement.  MASA, MESPA and MASSP have taken an official position on the matter.  I share that position in this episode. As always, please contact me if I can be of service to you (651.319.1211).

Thanks for what you do every day for children!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Happy New Year!

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Happy New Year!

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  Today I share information about the following:
1. Watch your emails next week for the opportunity to sign up to participate on a MASA Strategic Vision Action Team.
2. 2012 MASA Platforms were mailed last week.  MASA needs your involvement during the session to create a strong presence.
3. Award nominations are due Jan. 9.  Please take the time to recognize your colleagues.
4. The Superintendent of the Year Celebration, honoring Chris Richardson, is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Northfield Golf Club.  We hope to see you there.
5. The 2012 MASA Member Directory is available in the "Members Only" section of the MASA website.  Please contact Aimee Ranallo if you'd like a hard copy of the directory.

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Principal Evaluation Working Group

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Good Day:

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  Today I share information about the progress of the  Principal Evaluation Working Group.  The MDE model is due to the legislature by February 1st.  I also share some thoughts regarding the 2012 MASA Legislative Platform.

I wish each of you a very peaceful and enjoyable holiday season!

Gary A.

 

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": MASA Strategic Vision Plan

MASA's 5 Minute Update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

 

Good Afternoon:

Welcome to another episode of Take 5!  In this video I will share information about the following topics:

*MASA Strategic Vision Plan
*Principal Evaluation Working Group
*2012 MASA Legislative Platform
*Contract Renewal
*3rd Friday at MASA

I know that December can be a very busy time for you.  THANKS for taking 5 minutes to view the video.  Please contact me at 651.319.1212 if I can be of service to you!

Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary:" What are you thankful for?

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

 

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  Welcome to another episode of Take 5.  This week, I will reflect on the things I am thankful for in my life and would like to encourage you to take a couple minutes to do the same.  Have a wonderful holiday!


Gary A.

MASA..."Take 5 with Gary": Election Day

MASA's 5 minute update with Executive Director Gary Amoroso...

Take 5 with Gary: Nov. 8, 2011 from MASA on Vimeo.

Today is election day!  Best wishes to all of you who are engaged in a levy referendum.  I know that you have done your best to provide your community with accurate information regarding the need for community support.  Regardless of the outcome know that you have done your best and that you are a true champion for the children in your district.  Thanks for all that you do EVERY day!  Please contact me if I can be of service to you.

 

Welcome to another episode of Take 5.  Today I will share some thought's on the following topics:

1.    Districts holding levy elections today

2.    Principal Evaluation Working Group update

3.    CLM Conference: Nov. 16-18.  If you have not yet registered, registration materials can be found on the MASA website.

4.    Upcoming MASA committee meetings.  If you have not yet RSVP'd, please do so: aranallo@mnasa.org

            Legislative Committee: Nov. 14, TIES Bldg

            Nominating Committee: Nov. 15, MASA Offices

5.    The AASA Breakfast honoring MN Superintendent of the Year Chris Richardson will be held Feb. 18, 2012 from 7-8 am at the Hilton America's Houston hotel.  Reservation materials are available on the MASA website.

 

As always, THANK YOU for what you do every day on behalf of the children of Minnesota!  Please contact me at 651.319.1211 if I can be of service to you.

Gary A.