The Henton Headlines: November 23, 2022

THE HENTON HEADLINES
November 23, 2022
Here’s the scoop for the week

Policies and Procedures for Alternative Lunches:

Last Friday, I heard from MASA members who said they didn’t need to make changes in light of the Attorney General’s opinion on alternative meals for students with overdue lunch accounts. On Monday, I heard from some members wondering if, even though students with outstanding account balances have full meal options, the school district is still in violation of the latest ruling. 

*This morning, (Tuesday, Nov. 22), MSBA sent out a “November 2022 Newsletter” with a discussion about the Attorney General’s opinion, MSBA Model policy 534 and a link to a  revised school meals model policy. I encourage you to review the revised policy.

It is important to ensure that your procedures and school board policies match. There are media reports that well over 100 school districts have policies that do not comply with the Attorney General’s recent opinion. Might you have changed procedures, but not school board policy, or vice versa? In my opinion, it’s worth the time to check and ensure your procedures and policies are reconciled.

*Related to the ruling, I asked Commissioner Mueller for clarification on the scenario below. Daron Korte, Assistant Commissioner, called me this afternoon and told me that the Attorney General’s opinion was specific to school lunch meals and does not necessarily address a la carte items. 

Scenario: A student with an overdue lunch account is allowed one of three full meal options provided by the school district. One of the options is the typical hot meal. Another option is pizza. A third option is a pack-and go style full lunch meal. The student takes the hot meal and also picks up some pre-packaged chips and bottled water. The nutrition staff tell the student chips and water do not comply with the student’s meal plan. Is this lunch shaming and in violation of the new ruling?

*MDE is working on a question-and-answer document related to the Attorney General’s opinion. Look for that information to come in the weeks ahead. 

As with all things, if you are unsure about your procedures and policy and if they comply with the Attorney General’s ruling, don’t hesitate to contact your school district legal counsel.

Robocalls:

It has been my practice to use the School Messenger/robocall system sparingly, which generally has meant 1-3 times annually. I hope this trend continues. 

If you didn’t get the robocall on Friday, November 18, you might want to check to see if your administrative assistant did. We have found that because administrative assistants often submit your membership paperwork to MASA (thank you, administrative assistants), their cell number, not yours, is listed. Don’t hesitate to contact me if your number needs updating.

Interested in Joining the Walz Cabinet?

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan have opened the application process to fill vacancies for the leaders of the following cabinet agencies: 

• Department of Education 
• Department of Health 
• Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation 
• Department of Labor and Industry
• Department of Public Safety
• Department of Revenue 

Individuals wishing to apply for positions in the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s cabinet may contact [email protected] to request an application. Application materials are due by 4:00 pm on November 30 and should be addressed to Governor Tim Walz. 

Applicants may contact [email protected] or (651) 201-3400 with questions about the application process or to request reasonable accommodations. 

Leadership Matters:

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” - John F. Kennedy

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

November	Native American Heritage Month/American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month
December 1	Human Rights Month & Learn a Foreign Language Month
December 2	Special Education Day
December 3	International Day of People with Disabilities
December 5	International Volunteer Day
December 5-11	Computer Science Education Week
December 7	MASA Board of Director's Meeting | Quora Education Center | 11 am - 3 pm
December 9	Great Start Cohort #5 | Minneapolis Marriott NW
December 13	MASA BIPOC Affinity Group | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Register
December 13	MASA Women's Leadership Network | 9 - 10 am | Register
December 20	Professional Dialogue with Willie Jett | Session 2 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
December 18-26	Hanukkah
December 26 - Jan 1	Kwanzaa
January 2023	National Mentoring Month (#MentoringMonth, #MentorIRL) | Thank You Month
January 5	MASA Foundation Board Meeting | Quora Education Center | 11 am - 1 pm
January 17	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
January 17	Professional Dialogue with Willie Jett | Session 3 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
February 14	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
February 16-23	AASA NCE | San Antonio, TX
February 17	MN State Breakfast at AASA NCE | San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter | 7:30 - 8:30 am
February 21	Professional Dialogue with Willie Jett | Session 4 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
February 27	MASA/MSHSL Executive Officers Meeting
March 8	Great Start Cohort #6 | Finance Academy #3 | Minneapolis Marriott NW
March 8	MASA Board of Director's Meeting | Minneapolis Marriott NW | 11 am - 4 pm
March 9-10	MASA/MASE Spring Conference | Minneapolis Marriott NW
March 14	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
March 21	Professional Dialogue with Willie Jett | Session 5 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
April 11	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
April 11	Professional Dialogue with Willie Jett | Session 6 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
April 11	MASA Nominations Committee Meeting | Quora Education Center | 12 - 1:30 pm
April 13	MASA Foundation Board Meeting | Quora Education Center | 11 am - 1 pm
April 19	MASA Executive Development Committee Meeting | Virtual
April 27	Great Start Cohort #7 | Quora Education Center
May 1	MASA/MSHSL Executive Officer Meeting
May 9	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
May 16	Professional Dialogue with Willie Jett | Session 7 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
June 13	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
June 20	Professional Dialogue with Willie Jett | Session 8 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual