The video above is
about 6 minutes long and can be accessed either by clicking on the vide or
going to the MASA website (www.mnasa.org) and
clicking on MASA BLOG in the right hand panel..
‘TONGUE IN CHEEK’……. KYTE WILL NOT RUN FOR GOVERNOR:
It seems as though everyone around the Capitol except Roger Aronson and I have announced they are running for governor. I wanted to finally beat Roger, who represents the Principals associations and MSHSL, to the punch. So I am declaring that I will not run for governor. This now leaves only Roger who hasn’t declared…. Is there a chance he is planning to put his hat in the ring?
UNALLOTMENT AND FEDERAL STIMULUS $’s:
The school districts of Minnesota will be lending the State $1.8 Billion over the next 2 years without any clear indication about how, or if, it will be paid back. Many of you will be doing ‘cash flow’ borrowing to cover the shortfall. But it is hard to complain too much when we see the real cuts out friends in Higher Education as well as City and County businesses are going to take.
We saw a report recently about how the federal stimulus money going to states is going to be used. 22 states are using the money to cover cuts in their own funding for K-12 education. Minnesota is 7th from the top of the list with a 5% cut being covered. California leads with a 12% cut being covered with federal stimulus money.
On the other end of the spectrum are the Dakota’s with 12-15% new money being pumped into their systems. We will see a big problem in 2 years when the federal money drops to the wayside and Minnesota schools will see a big hole needing to be filled. It doesn’t look very good at this point.
MASA RETREAT EMPHASIZES CORE VALUES AND NEW INITIATIVES:
MASA will continue to be a strong VOICE for public education and an ADVOCATE for the value of the public education system. We will also continue to be a strong supporter of our MEMBERS.
In addition look for new initiatives in the areas of promoting environmental awareness and education system innovation. MASA will also evaluate the positions of each governor candidate and share these positions with members in a fair and non-partisan way.
MSHSL HELPING TO CHECK RISING COSTS:
Thanks to the hard work of Dave Stead, Executive Director of the MSHSL, the League recently took several controversial steps to help schools to control the costs of sports and activity programs. These changes don’t come easily and we acknowledge the good work of MASA member Dave Stead in this regard.
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