MASA "On the Road w/ Charlie" ....Happy Thanksgiving
This audio podcast is a message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.
This audio podcast is 8 3/4 minutes long.
HAVE A NICE THANKSGIVING BREAK ....YOU ALL DESERVE IT
There has been plenty of stress in the lives of lead education administrators of late. Take this long weekend to spend time with family and friends. Rest and recoup, and be ready for the next month of nearly frantic preholiday activities in your schools.
MARK ROBERTSON NAMED MINNESOTA SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Mark Robertson as the 2008 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. Marks name has now been placed in nomination for National Superintendent of the Year. This honor will be announced at the AASA National Conference on Education in February.There was a very strong group of candidates this year for this honor and it was a difficult decision for the selection committee.
STATE BUDGET FORECAST COMING OUT ON NOVEMBER 29TH
Our agents point to a lower budget forecast and even the possibility of a budget deficit. On the other hand, professional financial advisor's are seeing Capitol Gains on stocks rising this year. Capitol Gains are taxed as ordinary income in Minnesota. We will just have to wait and see what the forecast says. There will be another budget forecast in February that will be the actual guide for the Governor and the Legislature.
PREPARING FOR THE 2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Both the House and Senate have had quite a number of sub-committees meeting in this interim period between legislative sessions. In the education area, the Senate has had groups meeting on the Achievement Gap, the School Report Card, NCLB and Testing and school transportation. Next week there will be a hearing on the referendums.
The House has held hearings on ALC's and Integration funding. The two bodies together have hosted hearings on Early Education and on revising the whole education funding system.
Much of this next sessions activity will be about the Capitol Projects Bonding Bill. Expect to see about $4 billion in requests and a final Bill passed with about $1 billion in new projects. There will be agreat deal of time taken up as legislators lobby for funding to come back to their home districts.
WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR ADDITIONAL EDUCATION FUNDING
Leaders of the House of representatives have told us that they will try to get an additional 1% of funding for schools. I think they better have some luck with this or quite a number of the new Representatives won't be back at the Capitol after next falls election. There is plenty of anger among parents and educators about the poor funding .....especially after many new legislators were elected on an education ticket.
The Senate wants to concentrate any available education funding on fully funding the pro-ration in special education. We will work hard to help these two legislative bodies find appropriate compromises so that schools get at least some financial help in 2008.
