Voice of MN Education

MASA "On the Road w/Charlie".... Challenges!

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

This audio podcast is 6 minutes long.

PLEDGE AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE

This is the time of year to have students sign the Pledge Against Gun Violence.  This is a great student council based activity.  Information and the pledge form are on the MASA website (www.mnasa.org)

ECFE LICENSURE CHALLENGE

The Mn Board of Teaching (BOT) recently notified districts that they must employ fully licensd ECFE teachers and they would no longer be issuing variances, waivers or community expert for ECFE.  This is based on a statute the legislature passed in 2007 requiring licensure in this area.  We think the BOT may have received very conservative legal advice on this and that was what drove their decision.  All other teaching areas require a license, but variances, waivers and community expert designations are routinely issued.

This puts some rural schools in a real bind.  They have no ECFE teachers in the area, they can't get variances and the Administrator's Code of Ethics prohibits an administrator from hiring a non licensed person.  In a few instances the only choice is to close an ECFE program down.  By next year this problem is going to grow exponentially.

REFERENDUM ELECTION CHALLENGE

Opposition to referendums has really been emerging within the last few days according to reports we are receiving.  We are encouraging all our members, and citizen 'vote yes' groups to stay on task and not be diverted by negative attacks.  Blatantly false information must be countered, but should be done quickly and then get your groups back on task.

The MASA Legislative Committees are discussing a legislative plank that would eliminate these elections and give levy authority directly to Boards of Education.  There are several pros and cons to this idea and we would be interested in hearing from you on what you think we should do.

Also watch for a late posting of comparative property tax rates by the MN Citizens League for every District in the state.  They plan to put it up next Monday.  While their information is factual, there is a danger that the information will be manipulated in the closing days of these election campaigns.

NEGOTIATIONS CHALLENGE

We are hearing more reports of settlements.  We are also aware of a number of Districts where the tensions are rising as the two sides enter the pre-settlement phases of negotiation.  It doesn't help that Districts don't yet know with certainty their leveels of FY 2007 Special Education funding and probably won't get solid answers from the MDE until after the January 15th negotiations deadline date.  This is problematic to both sides in the bargaining process.

SCHOOL SAFETY WORKSHOP

MASBO is sponsoring a school safety workshop on November 8.  For information and registration materials go to the MASBO website (www.mnasbo.org).

MASA New & 2nd Yr member Update

This message contains information for the new and newer members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) and is written by Charlie Kyte, MASA Executive Director.

This audio podcast is 5 1/2 minutes long.

SUPPORT EACH OTHERS WITH LEVY REFERENDUMS

If you have a referendum in your district be sure to stay on positive messages over this next two weeks.  Also attend to the mechanics of running your election such as polling officials, ballots and election sites.  If you don't have an election be ready to help other colleagues as the elections occur.  Remember that if an election fails there is considerable blame to go around and much often falls on the Superintendent.  This is a time when some positive support from colleagues is appreciated.

PAY ATTENTION TO STAFF AND LONG RANGE PLANNING

If you have a position that is a full time Superintendency, recognize that this is a time of year to make a special effort to be out and around your buildings meeting with staff and students.  If you share a Superintendent/ Principal position remember to take the time to also concentrqate on the longer term planning that is required of the superintendent portion of your position.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR NEWER MEMBERS

The next Great Start Workshop is scheduled for November 9th.  The 2nd Year Cohort group is scheduled to meet on November 13th.

NOVEMBER 'TO DO' LIST

It is time to begin the budget planning cycle.  Your Board will be expecting Budget parameters soon and you should also be firming up the Budget/ Staffing cycle dates that you and your Board will follow over the next 6 months.

NEGOTIATIONS

It is easy to 'get down' on teachers during the negotiations cycle.  However it is better to work with an organized workforce than one that is totally unfocused.  Work to keep as positive a working relationship with the teacher negotiators as possible (not always easy to do) as the negotiations will eventually end and you will all need to work together for a common purpose.  Stay positive.

MASA "New Member/ 2nd Yr" Update

This podcast contains information for new, and newer, members of the MN Association of School Administrators (MASA) regarding training, Board Elections and Budget planning.

This podcast is 10 1/2 minutes long.  Charlie Kyte provides detailed information about the three subjects identified below.

NOVEMBER 9TH.... GREAT START AND 2ND YEAR COHORT WORKSHOPS

Information will come out shortly about the location, times and program for the November 9 Great Start and 2nd Year Cohort sessions for new and newer MASA members.  Mark your calendars for November 9.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS

Begin building relationships with potential Board members now.  Once elected, we provide in the podcast the process and materials you should share with them between November and January.

BEGIN BUDGET CYCLE PLANNING FOR 2008-09 NOW

This is the time to set up the calendar of events that will lead you to a successful completion of your budgeting and staffing cycle next May.  Begin now to set up the plan.  Be prepared to do the background work in November and December.  The public work begins in January.