The Henton Headlines

The Henton Headlines: December 16, 2021

THE HENTON HEADLINES
December 9, 2021
Here’s the scoop for the week

Important: Template to Advocate on Behalf of the Bus Driver Shortage:

Noelle Ellerson Ng of AASA provided this template for school districts to send to Secretary of Education Pete Buttigieg regarding the bus driver shortage. There are four recommendations contained within the letter that will resonate with you.  

It would be helpful if you could review the template, share with your school board, print on your school district letterhead, and send it to Secretary Buttigieg. Thank you for your consideration.

Congratulations Superintendent Horton!

Press release from NSPRA follows a well deserved honor for Jeff Horton:

Jeff Horton Named a 2021 NSPRA Superintendent to Watch 

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) has named Jeff Horton, Superintendent for the GFW Schools a recipient of the 2021 Superintendents to Watch award. This year, 19 superintendents from around the country were selected for the honor in recognition of their innovative and effective use of technology to engage and inform the school community, and to expand two-way communication and outreach efforts.  This annual NSPRA award recognizes up to 25 school district leaders each year who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core. Congratulations, Jeff!

Commissioner Mueller Reconvenes Superintendent Advisory Group:

You may recall that in December of 2020, AMSD (Association of Metropolitan School Districts) and MASA requested Commissioner Mueller convene a group of superintendent representatives to seek their opinion on matters involving school districts. She agreed and met a number of times asking their advice and informing them of MDE direction to come.

We recently requested the Commissioner reconvene the group and she agreed. She held their first meeting of the school year this past week. Should you wish to bring topics to them that they in turn could discuss with the Commissioner, here is the member list:

Superintendent Jeff Elstad, Owatonna Public Schools

Superintendent Cory McIntyre, Osseo Public Schools

Superintendent Sandra Lewandowski, Intermediate School District 287

Superintendent Sherri Broderius, MACCRAY Public Schools

Superintendent Theresa Battle, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Public Schools

Superintendent Matt Grose, Grand Rapids Public Schools

Superintendent Jeff Ronnenberg, Spring Lake Park Public Schools

Superintendent Laine Larson, Brainerd Public Schools

Leadership Matters:

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Detailed information may be found at
https://www.mnasa.org/whats-new.html and the MASA Calendar.

Dec. 1-31	Due: MDE Facilities Age and Square Footage Report Test WES (pre-test Edit) MARSS WES (final fall data) - date determined each year
Dec. 23-27	Holiday - MASA Offices Closed
Dec. 28	DUE: MDE The Levy Certification System
Dec. 31	DUE: MDE Compulsory Instruction Compliance Data Reporting
Dec. 31	Holiday - MASA/MASE Office Closed
Jan. 1	First Day of National Mentoring Month
Jan. 6	MASA Foundation Board Meeting | Virtual | 11 am - 1 pm
Jan. 9	School Resource Officers Day
Jan. 9-14	National School Librarians/Library Week
Jan. 21-22	MN Aspiring Superintendents’ Academy

The Henton Headlines: December 9, 2021

THE HENTON HEADLINES
December 9, 2021
Here’s the scoop for the week

Focusing on the Mental Health of MASA Members:

Regional leaders and I met to discuss concerns we have for all of our MASA members. Top of the list was the mental health of our members. While this comes as no surprise, it was acknowledged that this will likely be a primary area of focus for all regional leaders and me for some time to come. Emotions are at an all-time high.

For what it’s worth, here are some of the ideas mentioned during our meeting:

• We must work at inspiring good “self-talk.” 
• Continue the frequency of the regional meetings that have developed during COVID long after the pandemic is over.
• Find ways to celebrate our leaders.
• Leaders must reach out and help each other.  Partner up and check in on one another regularly.  Pick up the phone, schedule a breakfast meeting-just to stay in touch especially with those you know facing the greatest challenges. Have compassionate conversations with colleagues. Create informal mentoring relationships.
• Let your guard down and have some fun!
• Practice self-care and share what is working with your colleagues.
• If someone isn’t showing up at meetings, check in on them.
• Create activities of the month.
• Write letters to staff letting them know you care about them, are grateful for their dedication, and share any mental health support in your district that may be of assistance to them.
• Many issues facing school leaders can be resolved by the legislature.  Keep advocating.
• Here are some templates AASA recently shared that might help you shift your focus:
  • My Pandemic Journey
  • Building Resilience
  • Building Bridges of Care
• Concentrate on five good things each day

Leadership Matters:

Jon Gordon wrote three truths about leadership:

1. Leadership isn’t about gaining power. It’s about empowering others.
2. Great leaders succeed because they bring out the greatness in others.
3. You don’t have to be great to serve, but you have to serve to be a great leader.

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Detailed information may be found at
https://www.mnasa.org/whats-new.html and the MASA Calendar.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 6	Hanukkah (Chanukah)
Dec. 1-31	Due: MDE Facilities Age and Square Footage Report Test WES (pre-test Edit) MARSS WES (final fall data) - date determined each year
Dec. 6-12	Inclusive Schools Week
Dec. 11	Due: MDE Minnesota Common Course Catalogue (MCCC) (closes)
Dec. 13	MASA Women's Networking Group | 10 - 11 am | Virtual Session
Dec. 14	MASA BIPOC Affinity Group | 9 - 10 am | Virtual Session
Dec. 15	Due: MDE Achievement Integration Progress Report World’s Best Workforce Summary Report
Dec. 15	MASA Great Start Cohort Session #5 | MASA Offices
Dec. 23-27	Holiday - MASA Offices Closed
Dec. 28	DUE: MDE The Levy Certification System
Dec. 31	DUE: MDE Compulsory Instruction Compliance Data Reporting
Dec. 31	Holiday - MASA/MASE Office Closed
Jan. 1	First Day of National Mentoring Month
Jan. 9	School Resource Officers Day
Jan. 9-14	National School Librarians/Library Week
Jan. 21-22	MN Aspiring Superintendents’ Academy

The Henton Headlines: December 2, 2021

THE HENTON HEADLINES
December 2, 2021
Here’s the scoop for the week

Preparation for 2022 Legislative Session ramping up:

The education organizations and MDE have been engaged in a number of discussions on issues that we anticipate will be taken up by the 2022 Legislature. We are also exchanging information about important issues affecting school districts that we want the Legislature to address and will be the focus of our advocacy efforts. 

So now is the time to let us know your needs as legislative platforms are in process and MASA wants to reflect your values and help with the many issues confronting you every day.  Please don’t hesitate to send me and/or Valerie Dosland your thoughts. The MASA Legislative Committee meets on December 7 to draft the 2022 platform.

Here are some topics we have discussed and in no particular order:

• Compensatory Revenue
• Loss of funding due to low return rate on F/R priced lunch forms
• Other means of gathering this data that already exists in other forms
• The 2.45% addition to the basic formula this school year wiped out in many cases by the reduction in Compensatory Revenue
• Online Learning
• Might there be flexibility for all school districts offering a full online program without having to go through a state approval process?
• School Library Definition & Requirements
• Staffing shortages (all areas)
• Substitute license requirements
• ESSER applications for funds
• Lack of consistency from one state department to another
• Minutia required in some cases
• Proposed Page Constitutional Amendment
• Discipline
• Anticipated funding cliff
• And so much more….

Leadership Matters:

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Detailed information may be found at
https://www.mnasa.org/whats-new.html and the MASA Calendar.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 6	Hanukkah (Chanukah)
Dec. 1-31	Due: MDE Facilities Age and Square Footage Report Test WES (pre-test Edit) MARSS WES (final fall data) - date determined each year
Dec. 2	Special Education Day
Dec. 3	Early Childhood Education Outcomes (typically Dec. 1 but Dec. 3 for 2021) International Day of People with Disabilities
Dec. 7	MASA Legislative Committee Meeting | 10 am - 2 pm MASA Offices | Lower Level Boardroom | RSVP
Dec. 11	Due: MDE Minnesota Common Course Catalogue (MCCC) (closes)
Dec. 15	Due: MDE Achievement Integration Progress Report World’s Best Workforce Summary Report
Dec. 15	MASA Great Start Cohort Session #5 | MASA Offices
Dec. 23-27	Holiday - MASA Offices Closed
Dec. 28	DUE: MDE The Levy Certification System
Dec. 31	DUE: MDE Compulsory Instruction Compliance Data Reporting
Dec. 31	Holiday - MASA/MASE Office Closed
Jan. 1	First Day of National Mentoring Month
Jan. 9	School Resource Officers Day
Jan. 9-14	National School Librarians/Library Week
Jan. 21-22	MN Aspiring Superintendents’ Academy