Voice of MN Education

MASA... "On the Road" w/Charlie: Preparing for the 2009 Leg

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

The accompanying audio podcast is 5 minutes long.  There is also a YouTube video on the MASA website that provides you a separate recommendation regarding setting next years calendar and the problem of the post Labor Day start date.

THANKSGIVING WEEK.... A TIME OF REST AND TRANSITION:
A short week and time to spend with family and friends.  Make the most of it, getting in a bit of relaxation.

UGLY BUDGET FORECAST IS COMING SOON:
The states budget forecast for the next biennium is due out at the end of November.  We will actually see it about December 3.  Rumors are flying and the outlook isn't good.  This forecast sets the stage for the legislative session.  A second forecast comes out in the end of February that will then really determine the direction for the legislature and the state as they set the budget for 2009-2011.

MASA MAILINGS TO MEMBERS:
We have several mailings coming out in the next 6 weeks to members:

Early December........ MASA Member Directory and List of Business members and sponsors
Mid December.......... MASA Jobsite and Applicant Site renewal
Late December......... MASA Legislative Platform
Mid January............. MASA Federal Resolution for School Board action

MASA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND GRASSROOTS ACTION PLAN:
The MASA Board of Directors will consider and approve the MASA legislative platform on December 10th.  It will be the most aggressive platform from MASA in years.  We will push for funding and fundamental changes.  When you receive the platform, you will also receive the MASA grassroots legislative action plan.  Plan to participate with both visits to the Capitol and regular communications to your legislators.

WATCH VIDEO FOR A STRATEGY ON SETTING THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL CALENDAR:
We are recommending that school districts approve 2 calendars for next year.  Have one begin the day after Labor Day.  Have the other begin the previous Monday.  Watch the YouTube Video that explains why and how to do this.  You can be an important part of pushing the legislature to give schools more flexibility regarding school start dates.  Click here, or go to the MASA website (www.mnasa.org) to view the Video or to read an explanation of this strategy.

MASA..."On the Road" w/Charlie: Election follow-up

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

The audio podcast above is 6 minutes long.  Just click on the audio bar to listen.

DENNIS PETERSON IS THE 2009 SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR:

Dennis Peterson has just been named as Minnesota's Superintendent of the Year.  Dennis is the Superintendent for the Minnetonka Schools.  He has been a Superintendent for 35 years.  A press release about Dennis' accomplishments is on the MASA website.

There was an excellent group of candidates this year for this honor.  We thank all who had an application submitted.  We congratulate Dennis and now wish him well as his name is submitted to AASA as a candidate for recognition as the AASA National Superintendent of the Year.  The reciprient of this honor will be named at the AASA National Conference on Education in February. 

CONGRATULATE ELECTION WINNERS:

You need to contact the state level election winners immediately.  Send a letter or note of congratulations.  Within a week, then invite them to meet with you, and some of your staff, to help solidify the relationship between your local state officials and your school district.  You are going to need a lot of help from these state representatives, so beginning to build relationships early is just smart business.

CREATE 2 SCHOOL CALENDARS:

Create 2 calendars for 2009-10.  Have one begin after labor day and the other beginning a week earlier.  Obviously the first calendar will end later in the spring.   Then survey your parents and ask which calendar moption they prefer.  We estimate that over 70% of parents will prefer the earlier start date combined with an earlier dismissal in he spring.

We will ask for a change in the labor day start statute.  Your ability to show your state representative the 2 calendars and their opinion on the choices will go a long way in helping to get this law changed.

DO A 'DUAL' ANALYSIS OF YOUR FINANCIAL PICTURE FOR THE NEXT 2 YEARS:

The MN legislature is going to have a hard time finding money for our schools for the next 2 years.  The state is in a dire financial situation and additional revenues will need to be raised to properly fund schools.  there is a chance ( a realistic chance) that schools would not see any new money for the next 2 years.

Thus we are asking all Districts to look at their financial picture in two ways:

  1)  Assume a 2% increase in funding for 2009-10 and for 2010-11.  Build the 2%'s as though the $51 of one time funding you got for this year remains in place as well.

2)  Assume a 0% increase in each of the next two years and start from the assumption that the $51 of one time money will not be provided.

Make a determination of approximately the changes you would need to make in staffing and programs under each scenario.  We will want to show legislators the effects of no new funding as we move into the legislative session.  We will ask you to do this with your own legislators and we will be compiling this information as the legislative session begins so that the effect on the whole state can be seen.

TRANSITION BETWEEN SPORT SEASONS:

The fall sport season is pretty well over except for tournament games.  We hope students and teachers can use this breather between seasons as an opportunity to concentrate on academics and other student activities.  Have a good November!!