Voice of MN Education

MASA... "At the Capitol" w/ Charlie: Budget woes & asking $

The report from the MN State Capitol on education issues to the members of the MN Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director.

There is an accompanying 3 1/2 minute audio podcast and a video that shows some of the testimony provided to the Senate Education Finance Committee on Wednesday, February 27.

STATE BUDGET WOES REVEALED

The February Budget forecast will be released at 11:15 on Thursday, February 28. A group of Superintendents met with the Governor late last week and we know the forecast is going to be very bad.

THANKS SENATOR SAXHAUG FOR ASKING FOR EDUCATION FUNDING

This Bill is called the 'lights on' Bill and provides K-12 Education with 2% more formula money next year and some additional help in special education. See the video on the BLOG to see some of the impassioned testimony from AMSD, SEE, MREA and Parents United. Scott Croonquist, Brad Lundell, Sam Walseth and Mary Cecconi provided very compelling testimony. We are all working together for the common good. Getting this funding will be very difficult, but we commend Sen Saxhaug for helping us try!

MN PROMISE PRESENTED TO SENATE COMMITTEE

The final report of MN Promise, World Class Schools for a World Class State was presented to the same Senate Committee as the previously described Bill. It was a difficult segway to go from 'begging' for money to keep the lights on to trying to help frame a vision for the future. The Report was received with great interest and Kent Pekel, from the University of Minnesota was a great help in making the presentation.

MASA..."At the Capitol" w/ Charlie

Here is what is happening at the Minnesota State Capitol in regard to education.  Learn about it in a report from Charlie Kyte, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA).

NEW! Watch the report on MASA's new video blog!

Double click directly on the picture to view the full video.

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The accompanying audio podcast is 7 minutes long.

IN THE REPORT WE INCLUDE COMMENTS ABOUT:

1)  The slowdown of the national economy and yeasterdays 'hiring freeze' that Governor Pawlenty applied to all state agencies

2)  Information on Bills to allow school activities on the March 4, the now changed Precinct Caucus night and on a possible temporary relaxation of the Labor Day Sart restriction for 2009 and 2010.

3)  Information about the special education pro-rations that were just released by the MDE and how these and very small funding changes are going to negatively effect K-12 education this year and next year.

4)  The need to keep coming to the Capitol to tell your stories about the condition of education to your legislators.  MASA leaders are meeting with the Governor on February 21st to carry these messages as well.

PLEASE KEEP THE CHILDREN AND PARENTS OF THE LAKEVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.  INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT SHELLEY JOHNSON IS SERVING THIS DISTRICT AND IS HELPING WITH THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.  4 DIED AND MORE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INJURED.

MASA..."On the Road.... At the Capitol" w/ Charlie

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

The accompanying audio podcast is 9 minutes long. Just click the audio bar.

SWITCHING FROM "ON THE ROAD" TO "AT THE CAPITOL"....... LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS

As the 2008 legislative session begins, we will switch to bringing you news on education from the Capitol on a regular basis. But first here are a couple of "On the Road" type of issues.

1) CONGRATULATIONS TO ANN THOMAS AT SCHOOLFINANCE.COM

Ann has just been named President of Schoolfinance.com. Her firm works with many school districts on revenue, enrollment and negotiation projections. This is a good service for schools.

2) 403(B) GUIDELINES.... LOOK FOR THE WALL CHART!

AASA recently sent an excellent folder of information on the new 403(b) regulations. I found the wall chart that was enclosed to be especially helpful. With this guide and the help of one of the major financial services firms, a District should be able to handle the conversion and compliance on their own.

3) FOOD MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS MUST BE RE-BID

The new USDA regulations require Districts that contract for food service management to rebid their food service contracts. In addition, Minnesota Law also requires that these contracts now include a clause to require management companies to make up any shortfall. The USDA requirements indicate that the rebidding must be done by June 30, 2009, but the MDE Food and Nutrition Section are requiring that the rebidding be done this year.

The 40 Districts that contract for these services will have to hustle to get this done. Greg Hein at MDA will help with pre-reviews of specs and prototype contract language. His contact info is 651-582-8550 and greg.hein@state.mn.us

LEGISLATIVE SESSION OUTLOOK.....UF DA, IT IS GOING TO BE BAD NEWS

Early in the session expect a lot of activity around a Transportation Bill that may go to the Governor only to be vetoed. Then watch the maneuvering on the Bonding Bill. By the end of February we will see the Budget forecast and finally will see the Governor's proposed budget by about mid-March.

The outlook right now is not good for education funding. Thus it is more important than ever to communicate to your legislators that if they finish the session leaving education funding flat or lower, that they will not be coming home to happy campers. We are watching about 300 Districts cutting budgets again.... it is about time to get passionate in the delivery of your messages!

MASA will have members at the Capitol every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the legislative session. Please come on your assigned days and don't be afraid to let your legislators and the legislative leadership what your Districts are going through in trying to keep education programs together.

MASA New/ Newer Member Update

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

The accompanying audio podcast is 6 minutes long.

ALWAYS BE LOOKING FORWARD

A big part of the work of CEO's is to look to the future. Much of your job is to help your organization to do mid and long term planning and to set up processes so that decisions can be made in a timely manner.

BUDGET/ STAFFING PLANS REQUIRE COMMUNICATIONS

Work out the timeline for budget and staffing decisions backwards from when you need to have all this work completed. Communicate the timeline to staff, board and community. Be mindful to keep lines of communication open. Share projections and issues and listen to constitents inside and outside of the school. Students, staff and community all deserve to know your thinking and the processes to make decisions.

SUMMER RETREATS

In June school administrators should do a post-school year debriefing and plan for a pre-school year retreat in august. Boards should come together in the early summer as well to reflect on their own performance and to discuss the major challenges and objectives for the next year.

2008-09 CALENDARS

You probably have these completed as they are usually done the prece3ding fall. If your's isn't done, get on this project right away.

SUMMER FACILITY AND GROUNDS WORK

In the next month you should tour each building (and the grounds) with head custodians. Encourage them to have a plan ready to launch into school cleaning and repair as soon as school is recessed this spring. Repair work should be designed, budgetted and planned beginning now so that it can be done early in the summer.

OPENING SCHOOL NEXT FALL

You should alreqady be thinking about the opening of school next fall. Begin thinking about high quality pre school inservices and get your principals moving on staffing changes and student registration activities.

ALWAYS BE LOOKING FORWARD

Near term planning is on budgets and staffing. Mid term planning brings you to the summer. Long term planning looks at the next school year.