The Henton Headlines

The Henton Headlines: May 25, 2023

THE HENTON HEADLINES
May 25, 2023
Here’s the scoop for the week

Updated U.S. Department of Education Guidance on School Prayer:

You may find this recently released guidance on school prayer and religious expression helpful as graduation and baccalaureate ceremonies approach. Go to sections G. and H. for that information. There is other relevant information in sections II.-IV.

Upcoming Deadline for School Boards Opting to Renew Operating Levies, Fall 2023:

If your district is planning to renew an operating levy for the same amount and same amount of time this fall, your school board will need to hold a public meeting, allow for public comment, and pass a resolution prior to June 15.

With permission from MSBA, they sent out this information to all school board members and superintendents earlier this week, I advise you to download the resolution template from the MSBA website.

Trivia - Number of Licensed Library Media Specialists:

In light of the new definition of media centers contained within the education omnibus bill citing the need for a licensed media specialist or licensed librarian to oversee the program, an assistant superintendent contacted MDE and learned the following:

• Holds an Out-of-Field Permission for Library Media Specialist during the 22-23 school year – 74
• Holds a non-expired license for Library Media Specialist or Librarian as of May 17, 2023 – 989
• Holds non-expired license AND reported with the Library Media Specialist (instructional and non-instructional) assignment on the 22-23 STAR report – 383

MDE shared this week that they are looking into this requirement and how districts might comply with this new requirement. Stay tuned…

Leadership Matters!

“Without initiative, leaders are simply workers in leadership positions.” - Bo Bennett 

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

May	Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Military Appreciation Month, National Mental Health Awareness Month
June 13	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
June 14	MASA Master Class: Understanding State Aid: Equalization, Ag2School and more | 10 - 11 am | Virtual | Registration and full information!
June 20	MASA Instructional Leadership Network | 1 - 2:30 pm | Virtual
June 20	Professional Dialogue with Dr. Brenda Cassellius | Session 8 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
June 27	MASA Master Class: Building a Team of Social Media Content Creators | 10 - 11 am | Virtual | Registration coming soon!
August 8	Save the date! MDE Back to School Conference | Minneapolis Marriott NW, Brooklyn Park
October 8-10	MASA Fall Conference | DECC, Duluth, MN
February 15-17, 2024	AASA National Conference on Education | Registration and more info!
NEW DATES! March 14-15, 2024	MASA/MASE Spring Conference | Minneapolis Marriott NW, Brooklyn Park

The Henton Headlines: May 18, 2023

THE HENTON HEADLINES
May 18, 2023
Here’s the scoop for the week

Leadership Matters!

The first headline this week is a shoutout to retired superintendent and MASA member Jerry Ness for providing me with the weekly leadership quotes for three years running! Jerry is a remarkable person who was also a highly regarded superintendent. He continues to mentor and support our colleagues. Thank you, Jerry, for the quote that follows and every other one you have provided!

“True leadership is not about imposing your will on others, but about inspiring and empowering others to bring out their best.” - @LollyDaskal

Another Shoutout!

Throughout the session, I would compliment MASA Lobbyist Valerie Dosland on her work at the capitol. Without fail she would respond with something to the effect that she was just doing her job, or that she loves her job. If you have had a chance to be with Valerie at the capitol you know she is masterful at lobbying and invigorated by representing MASA. 

I watch in amazement as Valerie speaks with legislators who stand in opposition to our MASA platform. She acknowledges their position and shares ours with respect and a firmness that is not offensive or off-putting, but make no mistake the legislators know where she stands, and most importantly, she is convincing. 

I can point to a number of pieces of legislation that improved because of Valerie’s persistent conversations with key opinion leaders in both houses. She has the timing of who to go see and when down pat. Valerie understands the value of being nonpartisan and how critical it is to our organization that she develop relationships with members of both parties.

Please join me in giving [email protected] a shoutout for her work during the session and all year round. The bill summary she wrote and I sent you is a handy reference for all of us to use instead of combing through the 331 page bill every time we have a question. Thank you, Valerie!

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

May	Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Military Appreciation Month, National Mental Health Awareness Month
May 25	MASA Instructional Leadership Network | 9-10:30 am | Virtual
June 13	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
June 14	MASA Master Class: Understanding State Aid: Equalization, Ag2School and more | 10 - 11 am | Virtual | Registration coming soon!
June 20	MASA Instructional Leadership Network | 1 - 2:30 pm | Virtual
June 20	Professional Dialogue with Dr. Brenda Cassellius | Session 8 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
June 27	MASA Master Class: Building a Team of Social Media Content Creators | 10 - 11 am | Virtual | Registration coming soon!
August 8	Save the date! MDE Back to School Conference | Minneapolis Marriott NW, Brooklyn Park
October 8-10	MASA Fall Conference | DECC, Duluth, MN

The Henton Headlines: May 11, 2023

THE HENTON HEADLINES
May 11, 2023
Here’s the scoop for the week

Flagging a Recent PELSB Communication for You:

In the event you do not receive information PELSB sends out electronically, here is a recent document that highlights Tier 1 and Tier 2 permission applications, supports to help with staffing shortages, and licensure and permission changes.

This is relevant information for all those working with PELSB on licensing, out-of-field permissions, and staffing. 

Leadership Matters!

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” - Albert Schweitzer 

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

May	Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Military Appreciation Month, National Mental Health Awareness Month
May 8-12	Teacher Appreciation Week
May 9	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
May 12	School Communicators Day
May 16	Professional Dialogue with Dr. Brenda Cassellius | Session 7 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
May 25	MASA Instructional Leadership Network | 9-10:30 am | Virtual
June 13	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
June 14	MASA Master Class: Understanding State Aid: Equalization, Ag2School and more | 10 - 11 am | Virtual | Registration coming soon!
June 20	MASA Instructional Leadership Network | 1 - 2:30 pm | Virtual
June 20	Professional Dialogue with Dr. Brenda Cassellius | Session 8 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
June 27	MASA Master Class: Building a Team of Social Media Content Creators | 10 - 11 am | Virtual | Registration coming soon!
August 8	Save the date! MDE Back to School Conference | Minneapolis Marriott NW, Brooklyn Park
October 8-10	MASA Fall Conference | DECC, Duluth, MN

The Henton Headlines: May 4, 2023

THE HENTON HEADLINES
May 4, 2023
Here’s the scoop for the week

News on the Federal Front

Last week MASA and MASE representatives traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate at the federal level. The first night we were there, the House passed, on a 217-215 vote, a bill that would cut education spending overall by 22%. The Department of Education officials that met with us shared this STATE FACT SHEET of how Minnesota would be impacted. 

AASA staff told us the bill will be dead on arrival in the Senate. Yet, I advise looking over the one-page link so you can speak to the consequences of this type of legislation when you talk to your congressional representatives.

We also learned during the trip that this year the federal government is only funding 14.5% of the cost of IDEA. The historic underfunding of IDEA is known among our representatives who are sympathetic to our pleas for full funding, or at least the once promised 40%, yet no significant action is taken to even provide a phased-in approach to covering the cost of IDEA. Very disappointing and concerning. We will continue our advocacy efforts, and I know you will as well.

MSHSL Rep Assembly Information

The MSHSL Executive Director, Erich Martens, asked me to highlight information that was sent to superintendents this past week. Here is a link in case you missed it or it is buried in the countless emails you receive.

Leadership Matters!

“The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better.” - Tony Dungy

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

May	Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Military Appreciation Month, National Mental Health Awareness Month
May 5	School Lunch Hero Day
May 6	National Nurses Day
May 8-12	Teacher Appreciation Week
May 9	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
May 12	School Communicators Day
May 16	Professional Dialogue with Dr. Brenda Cassellius | Session 7 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
May 25	MASA Instructional Leadership Network | 9-10:30 am | Virtual
June 13	BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting | 7:30 - 8:30 am | Virtual
June 14	MASA Master Class: Understanding State Aid: Equalization, Ag2School and more | 10 - 11 am | Virtual | Registration coming soon!
June 20	MASA Instructional Leadership Network | 1 - 2:30 pm | Virtual
June 20	Professional Dialogue with Dr. Brenda Cassellius | Session 8 | 9 - 10 am | Virtual
August 8	Save the date! MDE Back to School Conference | Minneapolis Marriott NW, Brooklyn Park
October 8-10	MASA Fall Conference | DECC, Duluth, MN