This is a message to the members of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from Charlie Kyte, the MASA Executive Director.
This audio pod cast is 7 1/2 minutes long.
STORMS
The metro area switched from very dry, to very wet over the last few days. Two significant storms came through the area near the MASA offices. We saw many big trees down at Como Park and vending trailers turned over at the State Fair Grounds. However, the MASA Building suffered no damage.
RETREATS & WORKSHOPS
All across the state, administrative workshops are going on in school districts. Over the next 2 weeks schools will have teaching and support staff engaged in 'back to school' workshops. It is a complex, but invigorating, experience to get the complex operation of schools restarted for the new school year.
MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMIES
The MDE has secured funding from a National Governor's Association, and from legislative funding, to begin a concentrated program of professional development for teachers across the state in the areas of math and science. To their credit, the MDE, has assembled a good team of practitioners to help shape these Academies . Further they intend to contract this work to the regional service agencies around the state so that the delivery can be closer to the actual teaching staffs and be delivered in a practical fashion. Watch for more information later this fall.
REGIONAL MEETINGS
The leaders of each of the MASA Regions will meet this Thursday to discuss ways to strengthen the support and the professional development functions for members in each region. I will attend meetings in every area of the state over the fall months. So far I will be in Fergus Falls on September 14, St. CLoud and Pine City on September 20 and in Mankato on October 31.
IRS 403B REGULATIONS
The IRS has issued new rules regarding 403B's in public entities. As of January 2009, school districts, and their officers, will be responsible for properly administrating 403B programs. Districts will need to come up to speed on this in 2008-09 and have a compliance plan ready by next year.
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
We may see a special legislative session after labor day. Most of this will center around fixing the transportation infrastructure and how this will be paid for. There is a danger that rather than investing all across Minnesota's infrastructure (Roads, education, health, etc) we just invest in the immediate problem and let everything else slide even more. One of the things we will be doing is to try to make the case that we have to invest better over a wide range of infrastructure, including education.
SAY 'YES' TO 'NO'
MASA is joining with 10 other associations to encourage a statewide discussion on raising healthier children. We will use materials and the new book by David Walsh. This discussion will focus on raising better disciplined and self reliant children. A big part of this is helping children learn to delay gratification a bit and is best done by helping parents to understand the importance of saying "NO" in a positive and constructive way. MASSP and MESPA, the Principals associations, have taken the lead on this project. As you learn more over the next month about this initiative, work to support the work of your principals and parent leaders in this effort.
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