Voice of MN Education

MASA..."On the Road" w/Charlie: Summer winds down!

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

 

You can click on either the video or audio podcast above for a 6-7 minute message.  Please allow about 15 seconds for the video to load.  This message can also be viewed on the MASA website (www.mnasa.org) by clicking on MASA BLOG in the right hand panel.

SUMMER WINDS DOWN:

 

Yikes!  It really is coming to an end.  Pretty soon we will all be wearing dress up clothes every day as staff and students return to school.  I suspect my dress shirts spent all summer in the closet slightly shrinking their collars just for my benefit.

 

MDE SUMMER SUPERINTENDENT’S CONFERENCE:

 

We heard positive reviews about the Summer Superintendent’s MDE Conference last week.  Most of the sessions were well presented and superintendents also enjoyed the networking that happens at events such as this.  About 270 Superintendents attended.   MASA is pleased to have been able to provide the background logistical organization for this conference.

 

MDE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO MINIMIZE STRESS ON DISTRICTS FOR COMPUTER BASED FIELD TESTS THIS FALL:

 

Dirk Matson is the MDE Director of Testing and Assessment.  He has met with me, Joann Knuth of MASSP and Fred Storti of MESPA in an attempt to minimize the impact on the next round of ‘field testing’ that needs to be done for the development of more computer based MCA testing.  He has listened to our suggestions.

 

Basically, the state legislature changed the testing statute to do away with constructive receipt questions and use the money saved to develop computer based tests.  The MDE needs to field test grades 4-9 this fall with a math test.

 

The plan is to spread the field testing out to about 160 Districts and to ask that only one grade be tested in each District with a test that lasts less than one hour.  The test window will be between mid-November and mid-December.  A few larger Districts will need to provide some additional test takers.

 

Dirk would prefer not to have to ask the Districts to do the tests as he knows how much time is already dedicated to testing.  He is trying to minimize the impact so we hope those of you selected will try to cooperate to the extent possible.

 

H1N1—MORE THINGS TO CONSIDER:

 

Even if the H1N1 Flu doesn’t become anymore dangerous, it will surely effect the operation of our schools this fall.  The inevitable media blitz will have parents close to panic.  Many of you have revised policies and procedures over the summer and are already reaching out to county health authorities to cooperate in any mass vaccination process.

 

One additional thing to begin thinking about is finding staff replacements if significant numbers of staff become ill.  Not only will you need people, but you will also see budgets strained even more as you pay for substitute workers.  You may want to think through which of your staff is absolutely critical to replace and where you can let an absence go unfilled.

 

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE AND A NEW MINNESOTA STATUTE:

 

Minnesota law now allows a person purchasing Long Term Care Insurance to also protect a portion of their estate in the case of the need to be in a nursing home long term.  MASA is recommending Lynn Devitt, Pam Krejce and Mark Landis, who are LTC specialists associated with Newman LTC. They are skilled at helping people understand the new Minnesota State Partnership and provide LTC Insurance that avoids many of the loopholes of the past that limited protections.

 

In partnership with MASA, they will be able to provide favorable pricing for MASA members.  You will soon receive a letter from MASA explaining this option for our members.

MASA..."On the Road" w/Charlie: Messages for Fall

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

There is a video and an audio podcast above, each about 5-6 minutes in length.  Allow about 15 seconds for the video to download. You can also access them on the MASA website (www.mnasa.org) by clicking on MASA BLOG in the right hand panel.

MESSAGES TO YOUR PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES IN PREPARATION FOR FALL:

August is a time to communicate with parents of children of various ages as well as with those in your communities that don't have children in school.  No matter if you do this by newspaper column, on the radio, by Blogs or other means, here are a few ideas of appropriate messages.  All should be wrapped in a message of high expectations and caring for the children of your community:

** Parents w/young children... alter sleep patterns at the end of August so children are on a school-like time schedule.

** Parents w/MS children... hold a family meeting to set down the expectations for studying, household responsibilities and behaviors.

** Parents w/HS students... begin discussing post-secondary options and plans.

** Empty nesters and senior citizens... while money is tight, the schools are being frugal and still doing their best to educate the children of the community.  Thank them for past and current support.

H1N1 ALTERNATIVE CHILD CARE PLANNING:

When children become sick with the Flu this fall and winter, it is likely that the MN Dep't of Health is going to require them to stay home for about 7 days.  If this happens, parents are going to need to have plans in place for alternative child care.  You may want to give parents a 'heads up' to begin developing an alternative plan if this becomes necessary in their families.

MASA FOUNDATION SUPPORTS MEMBERS:

The MASA Foundation is supported by the annual contributions of over 100 members plus the proceeds from the fall conference golf tournament and the spring conference silent auction.  The Foundation has incubated the Great Start and the Fresh Start Workshops for new and mid-career members and are now preparing to develop a workshop for pre-retirees.

The Foundation will soon announce a grant opportunity to fund scholarships for members.  Watch for the announcement.

MASA FALL CONFERENCE IN DULUTH:

The MASA Fall COnference will be held from Sunday afternoon thru noon on Tuesday, September 27-29 in Duluth.  We have a very strong program in an interesting setting with great opportunities for networking.  The registration materials will come out on August 12.

TIME TO RENEW SUPERINTENDENTS CONTRACTS:

If you are a superintendent, you are on a 3 year contract.  These contracts can only be renewed in their last year so if your contract expires on June 30, 2010, you are now in that window of time.  It is important to get this process moving now.... don't delay because of other current negotiations or just plain avoidance behavior.