Voice of MN Education

MASA "On the Road with Charlie"... SE overcomes Flooding

A report to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) by Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

This audio pod cast is about 9 minutes long.

FLOODING ONLY SLOWS THEM A BIT IN SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA

I called most of the Superintendents in SE Minnesota last week to see if they needed help as a result of the flooding in that area of the state.  What I heard was a 'can do' attitude.  Most said their schools got wet, but the maintenance crews went to work and got them mostly dried out. 

The biggest problem is washed out roads where the rushing water washed out culverts and small bridges in the valleys.  Superintendent Kim Ross of Houston reported that he lived 2 miles outside of Houston, but that the trip to school by passable roads was 52 miles.  I asked how he got to work?  He said that he put on his boots and rode most of the way in on his 4 wheeler.  When it finally got stuck, a farmer pulled him through with a tractor.  He was at his desk fielding questions and directing the cleanup work when I reached him by phone.

MASA FALL CONFERENCE IN DULUTH

You should have received a mailed copy of the MASA Fall Conference Registration within the last couple of days.  You can also access it from the MASA Web site (www.mnasa.org).  This conference is shaping up to be very strong with opportunities for professional growth and networking throughout. 

Plan to come up early on Sunday, September 30 and play golf in the MASA Foundation Golf Tournament.  The annual banquet is on Sunday evening and the conference continues thru Tuesday noon.  Be there, or be square!!!

ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN WALK TO SCHOOL (WITHIN REASON OF COURSE)

In my hometown we are all ready to watch the 'parade of the mini-vans' as dozens of well meaning parents drive their children to school.  They want to be good parents and to keep their kids safe.  What they don't realize is they are contributing to the obesity epidemic in our children.  The exercise gained by walking too and from school is an important factor in keeping children's weight gains in check.

Too do your part, look into the 'Safe Routes to School' Program that may allow you to access some funding for this purpose.  Look over the routes that children walk to school and make sure they are safe.  Then provide well thought out messages that encourage more walking to and from school.

Finally.... take care of yourself.  Park your own car at the far end of the parking lot rather than in that designated spot near the school entry.  The walk will do you good!

ALLIANCE SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

If you want to learn about what’s next for Minnesota schools, join your colleagues at the Alliance for Student Achievement’s Minnesota Education Summit on Friday, Sept. 21. Teachers, administrators, business officials, board members, parents, policy makers and others will head to the Minneapolis Convention Center for a day of information and inspiration.

The Summit features the following:

    Futurist Arthur Hawkins on education and social changes driven by technology and international competition

    Author David Walsh on why the word “NO” is critical to student success

    Researchers Christopher and Sarah Lubienski on comparing the performance of public and private schools

    Assessment expert Dirk Mattson on Minnesota’s progress with accountability and testing

And more – there are sessions on the components of good kindergarten-readiness programs, what’s happening with No Child Left Behind, education funding reform in Minnesota, education policy issues, and preparing students for post-secondary academic success

This program and a full lunch is only $75. Discounts are available for multiple registrations, and parents can access scholarships. For details and registration, go to the Alliance web site at www.allianceforstudentachievement.org.

NEW PRECINCT CAUCUS DATE IN MARCH, 2008

The precinct caucus date has been changed to March 4, 2008.  Under the law, schools were prohibited from holding evening activities on the old precinct caucus date.  However the law wasn't changed, only the date of the caucus'.  Thus a school could hold events on March 4 this coming year.  While legally permissible, most of you would see that holding events is however treacherous.

Interestingly, a number of schools have March 4th slated as a Parent-Teacher Conference evening in 2008.  It isn't easy to change this type of an activity as it would throw off your whole calendar.  If you have conferences scheduled for March 4, you will want to have a discussion with your teachers union leadership and school board soon to decide what to do.  If you do decide to hold conferences on that evening, expect that a teacher or two may want to leave early to attend their caucus.  You would need to do a really good job of communicating if you leave conferences on this evening and also give people an alternative time if they have a conflict.

NEW LEGISLATION WAS PASSED TO PROVIDE DATA PROTECTION FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

This legislation was passed by the Minnesota Legislature this past session.  It provides for the Secretary of States Office to serve as a 'safe haven' mail address for persons who have been the victims of violence.  This often involves children and the statute basically keeps the real address of a person or family a secret so the persons seeking to hurt them can not find them. 

It is a good idea, but once again makes our jobs at the schools a bit more difficult. Over time the state expects about 1500 families to enroll in this program, but the numbers this first year will only be a small fraction of that number. 

The challenge is that you could have children enrolling in your school for which you and your staff will not know the home address.  This calls into question of attendance areas, busing, emergency notifications, etc.  I met with the representatives in the Secretary of States Office to help them think through the ramifications of this Statute for schools.  They are taking our comments into consideration as they write the rules for this program.  If you happen to have a family in this circumstance and need to know how to proceed, you could contact Beth Fraser in the Sec of State Office at 651-201-1334.

MASA "New Member" Update

A message to new MASA members from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director

This audio podcast is 5 minutes long.

SUMMER 'THANK YOU' MESSAGES:

There are a million things to do to get your schools opened.  It is equally important to take a bit of time to thank those that worked in the schools during the summer months.  A short note to summer secretaries, custodians and Community Ed workers goes a long way.  Often these people don't get much in the way of recognition or compliments.  A note will be very appreciated.

LEARN NAMES OF NEW STAFF:

No matter if you have only a few new staff members, or many dozens, the better you can learn names, the better you will be able to connect with the 'rank and file' in your District.  One way to help this occur is to have a secretary prepare a list of all new staff and their assignments.  If you have multiple buildings/ sites, have a list for each building.  I used to like putting the names on a 4X6 card and keep them in my car.  As I traveled between buildings, I would look over the list and try to find a couple of the new staff each time I visited and have a short conversation with them.  Be sure to include both teachers and all support staff.

KEY ELECTION DATES AND NOTICES:

There are a number of notices that must be published, and other tasks to do, all during late September and into October as you prepare for a November election.  Consult the 'Boardcaster' published by the MSBA and discuss what needs to be done with experienced support staff in your District.

LEADERSHIP TIPS:

Surround yourself with people who are strong where you are the weakest.

Individual teachers don't represent the Union, and the Union doesn't always speak for the individual teacher.

Employee organization leaders do not have much experience in carrying out a Districts strategic responsibilities.

Include employee organization leaders in helping to set the Districts strategic direction.  In this way, you will see more 'buy in'.

NEXT GREAT START WORKSHOP:

The second 'Great Start' Workshop is scheduled for September 20th at the MASA office building near the State Fair Grounds in St. Paul.  Watch for a mailing soon to get you signed up to attend.

QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS....CALL CHARLIE:

If you have a question or problem, give me a call.  My cell phone # is 651-247-6505.  No issue is too big or too small!

"On the Road with Charlie"...Getting ready to start the year

This is a message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, the MASA Executive Director.

This audio pod cast is 7 1/2 minutes long.

STORMS

The metro area switched from very dry, to very wet over the last few days.  Two significant storms came through the area near the MASA offices.  We saw many big trees down at Como Park and vending trailers turned over at the State Fair Grounds.  However, the MASA Building suffered no damage.

RETREATS & WORKSHOPS

All across the state, administrative workshops are going on in school districts.  Over the next 2 weeks schools will have teaching and support staff engaged in 'back to school' workshops.  It is a complex, but invigorating, experience to get the complex operation of schools restarted for the new school year.

MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMIES

The MDE has secured funding from a National Governor's Association, and from legislative funding, to begin a concentrated program of professional development for teachers across the state in the areas of math and science.  To their credit, the MDE, has assembled a good team of practitioners to help shape these Academies .   Further they intend to contract this work to the regional service agencies around the state so that the delivery can be closer to the actual teaching staffs and be delivered in a practical fashion.  Watch for more information later this fall.

REGIONAL MEETINGS

The leaders of each of the MASA Regions will meet this Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen the support and the professional development functions for members in each region.  I will attend meetings in every area of the state over the fall months.  So far I will be in Fergus Falls on September 14, St. CLoud and Pine City on September 20 and in Mankato on October 31.

IRS 403B REGULATIONS

The IRS has issued new rules regarding 403B's in public entities.  As of January 2009, school districts, and their officers, will be responsible for properly administrating 403B programs.  Districts will need to  come up to speed on this in 2008-09 and have a compliance plan ready by next year.

SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION

We may see a special legislative session after labor day.  Most of this will center around fixing the transportation infrastructure and how this will be paid for.  There is a danger that rather than investing all across Minnesota's infrastructure (Roads, education, health, etc) we just invest in the immediate problem and let everything else slide even more.  One of the things we will be doing is to try to make the case that we have to invest better over a wide range of infrastructure, including education.

SAY 'YES' TO 'NO'

MASA is joining with 10 other associations to encourage a statewide discussion on raising healthier children.  We will use materials and the new book by David Walsh.  This discussion will focus on raising better disciplined and self reliant children.  A big part of this is helping children learn to delay gratification a bit and is best done by helping parents to understand the importance of saying "NO" in a positive and constructive way.  MASSP and MESPA, the Principals associations, have taken the lead on this project.  As you learn more over the next month about this initiative, work to support the work of your principals and parent leaders in this effort.