The Henton Headlines

The Henton Headlines: February 25, 2021

THE HENTON HEADLINES
February 25, 2021
Here’s the scoop for the week…

Have you cast your MSHSL ballot?

As of this writing, just a little more than 300 ballots have been cast. This includes public, private, and homeschool ballots. To reach the required 75% quorum we need to have 405 schools vote. If you have not received a letter from the MSHSL sent postal mail dated February 18 that includes ballot information specific to your school/district, please email Lynne Johnson at [email protected].

Here’s my sports analogy for the day - we are in the red zone. It’s second and 7. Let’s get this ball in the end zone before it’s fourth and inches!

P.S. I’m not sharing the name of the quarterback, but a certain animal comes to mind!

Your school board may be asked by your teacher’s local to pass this ED MN resolution

Some school boards have been asked by their teachers’ local to pass this resolution which does not align with MASA’s platform.

Education assessments in the time of COVID-19 and beyond

Donna Roper, Director of Research and Assessment for Edina Public Schools, shared this comprehensive report with me and it’s a good one to have on file. Don’t be scared off by the length-read the entire piece, or scan for sections relevant to your audience. Basic information to detailed analysis. Either you, or the staff in your system dealing with assessments will be glad to have this information. Thank you, Donna!

MSHSL Financial Advisory Committee includes three superintendents!

The MSHSL has created a financial advisory committee that will meet over the course of the next 18 months. A huge thanks to the two superintendents identified below who went through the MSHSL application process and were selected to serve in this capacity, and Superintendent Tom Jerome of Roseau Public Schools the current Vice-president of the MSHSL Board of Directors who will also serve on the committee.

Keith Kottke, Springfield Public Schools

Brandon Lunak, Moorhead Area Public Schools

Leadership Matters: 

"Weak leaders have the luxury of looking after themselves. Great leaders have the honor of looking after others." - @Simon Sinek 

The Henton Headlines: February 18, 2021

THE HENTON HEADLINES
February 18, 2021
Here’s the scoop for the week…

IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION: Superintendent representation on the MSHSL Board of Directors

The MSHSL sent a mailing to Superintendents/Presidents/Heads of School including the link for member voting today, Thursday, February 18. MASA has shared an up-to-date email list of all superintendent email addresses to the MSHSL as recently as last week so all superintendents should have received this very important message today. 

IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A MAILING FROM THE MSHSL TODAY WITH A LINK TO THE BALLOT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THE MSHSL. 

1. The voting portal will open on Monday, February 22 at 8:00am CST for designated school representatives, or their duly designated alternate to submit the one member school vote.
2. Here are talking points for your use with additional information!

Confusing language on physical distancing in the latest edition of the Safe Learning Plan?

Immediately following the phone conference on Wednesday, February 17 with Deputy Commissioner Mueller, I received a text from a superintendent noting that the language on p. 9 of the Safe Learning Plan stating students must maintain six feet of physical distance from one another throughout the school day whenever feasible might be better understood if “must” was replaced with should. I sent a quick message asking if the language might be changed before the plan was widely distributed. I received a response that the language is what is stated in the CDC guidance.

What has become of the Learning Model Transition Group?

You may recall that months ago Deputy Commissioner Mueller formed this group to assist in discussions about school districts transitioning between learning models. The group dissolved this week; however, Deputy Commissioner Mueller continues to consult with the eight superintendents who were members of the group. She mentioned consulting with these superintendents during the Wednesday call with superintendents.

The group of superintendents has met on barely a moment’s notice with the Deputy Commissioner to provide feedback on whatever the topic of the call/meeting. Sometimes that has meant late afternoon calls on Saturdays, or Sunday evenings. While not all suggestions from this group have made it into the Safe Learning Plan, these superintendents are being consulted and are making a difference. They advocate on your behalf!

Here are the eight superintendents who are deserving of our support and gratitude:

Theresa Battle, Burnsville

Sherri Boderius, MACCRAY

Jeff Elstad, Owatonna

Matt Grose, Grand Rapids/Big Fork

Laine Larson, Brainerd

Sandra Lewandowski, Intermediate District 287

Cory McIntyre, Osseo

Jeff Ronnenberg, Spring Lake Park

Leadership Matters:

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” - Harry S. Truman

 

The Henton Headlines: February 11, 2021

THE HENTON HEADLINES
February 11, 2021
Here’s the scoop for the week…

CALL TO ACTION: Superintendent representation on the MSHSL Board of Directors

As the MSHSL circulates information across the state regarding the MASA effort to amend the MSHSL Constitution, it is important that we remember and share the following:

1. The superintendents’ effort to amend the MSHSL Constitution is to increase the MSHSL Board of Directors from 20 to 22 members.  Should the amendment pass, two seats will be added for superintendents appointed by MASA. If the amendment passes, no membership currently represented on the MSHSL Board of Directors will be displaced if the two seats guaranteed for superintendents are added.  
2. The MSHSL will send a mailing to Superintendents/Presidents/Heads of School including the link for member voting on Thursday, February 18.
3. The voting portal will open on Monday, February 22 at 8:00am CST for designated school representatives, or their duly designated alternate to submit the one member school vote.
4. Here are talking points for your use with additional information!

ED MN Letter to Governor Walz and Commissioner Ricker

For your information-I received a copy of this letter that ED MN President Denise Specht sent to Governor Walz and Commissioner Ricker.  

Leadership Matters:

"Watch the little things; a small leak will sink a great ship." - Benjamin Franklin 

The Henton Headlines: February 4, 2021

THE HENTON HEADLINES
February 4, 2021
Here’s the scoop for the week…

CALL TO ACTION: Superintendent representation on the MSHSL Board of Directors

The MSHSL has informed MASA of a new process to change the MSHSL constitution to guarantee two seats for superintendents on its Board of Directors. The two seats would be added to the current board made up of 20 representatives. No current representatives would be displaced. The board will change to a 22 member board with two superintendents identified by MASA. 

This change will require a vote among MSHSL members. All MSHSL high schools will have one vote. Information will be sent by both email and postal mail beginning next week. As of this writing, it is unclear if the ballots will go to the high schools or district offices. Stay tuned...

The current MSHSL Board of Directors President is Superintendent Blaine Novak from New York Mills, and the Vice-president is Tom Jerome, Superintendent of Roseau. Both Blaine and Tom were voted into their positions by their MSHSL regions. They have been instrumental in helping develop this process and have led through extraordinarily challenging times at the League. Please give them a shout-out for their leadership when you can.

Your MASA Board of Director representatives also deserves kudos for their work in taking a firm line with the League. They will be contacting you reminding you to vote. Please help them spread the word. This cannot be done without you.

Expect a full court press from MASA on communication about this opportunity. This is our time!

Here are talking points for your use with additional information!

Letter to Governor Walz and Commissioner Ricker

The following superintendents sent a letter on behalf of their school districts that you are invited to read here.

• Carly Baker, Superintendent, Brooklyn Center Community Schools
• Jason Berg, Superintendent, Farmington Schools
• Renee Corneille, Superintendent, St. Anthony-New Brighton Schools
• Beth Giese, Superintendent, St. Francis Schools
• Joe Gothard, Superintendent, St. Paul Public Schools
• Kim Hiel, Superintendent, Fridley Public Schools
• Wayne Kazmierczak, Superintendent, White Bear Lake Area Schools
• David Law, Superintendent, Anoka-Hennepin Schools
• Chris Lennox, Superintendent, Mounds View Public Schools
• Julie Nielsen, Superintendent, South Washington County Schools
• Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent, Spring Lake Park Schools
• Zena Stenvik, Superintendent, Columbia Heights Public Schools
• Josh Swanson, Superintendent, Eden Prairie Schools

WOW!

I received the following from Don Lifto of Baker Tilly, “Absolutely amazing that in the midst of a pandemic, our schools were able to raise 882 million dollars. That’s practically a quadrillion – in just a single election!” Don is right on. What you accomplish in your positions cannot be overstated.

A time to tap because the list of superintendent vacancies continues to grow!

We are confidentially aware of 24 superintendencies open for the 2021-2022 school year. 

If you know of someone who has the experience and skills necessary to become a superintendent, please tap that person/s on the shoulder and share the information found here https://aasa.org/form.aspx?ekfrm=38032. The Academy consists of five 2-day sessions (Fridays and Saturdays) and each participant is supported by an experienced superintendent coach. Additional information has been emailed to you and will be available on the MASA website. The application deadline is Monday, February 22, 2021.

Leadership Matters: 

"When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion." - Dale Carnegie