 For
more information - Diane Dick: ddick@gomasa.org
517.327.9261
Speakers include:
Wednesday, January 23
 David C. Hollister is President and CEO of Prima Civitas Foundation, a nonprofit organization that takes a regional approach to boosting Michigan's economy. The former mayor of Lansing, Hollister led the Department of Labor and Economic Growth addressing labor, economic growth, and urban development issues in Michigan.
Hollister has dedicated his entire life to public service. He began his career as a high school teacher in the 1960s, served as Ingham County Commissioner through 1974, and as a State Representative until 1993. He quickly became recognized as one of the top ten legislators, serving on the powerful Appropriations Committee for 16 years and chairing the Appropriations Subcommittee on Social Services for over a decade. In 1993, Hollister ran a successful campaign for Mayor of the City of Lansing and was re-elected to his third term in a landslide victory in November 2001.
Thursday, January 24
 Dr. Yong Zhao is a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University , where he also serves as the founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology as well as the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. He is an elected fellow of the International Academy for Education. His research interests include globalization and education, digital citizenship, diffusion of innovation, teacher adoption of technology, computer-assisted language learning, globalization and education, and international and comparative education. Zhao has published extensively in these areas and has been invited to present to education policy makers and practitioners in Australia, Chile, China, England, Ireland, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, The Netherlands, the United States, and Vietnam .
Friday, January 25
 Chuck Gaidica has worked as Director of Meteorology at WDIV since 1987. He's been voted
the top weathercast in town year after year in the "Metro Times - Best of Detroit" edition. A two-time Emmy Award winner, Chuck says that doing the weather on NBC's "Today Show" ranks as Chuck's proudest professional accomplishments. Chuck is also proud of his inventions -- including the always popular "Cuddle Alert!" Chuck considers himself an optimistic environmentalist and a bit of an adventurer. He has flown through the eye of a hurricane, chased and caught tornadoes, flown with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and brought WDIV viewers live reports from the Amazon in Peru and Mt. Kilauea in Hawaii. You'll have to look way up or way down to find Chuck when he's not working. He is an instrument-rated pilot and certified scuba diver.
Friday, January 25
 Tom White, Executive Director of the Michigan School Business Officials, will go through the numbers that help you understand and describe for others what is happening to school finance in Michigan. Covering policy issues like equity, adequacy, and infrastructure, Tom will provide interesting sets of school funding data that help you understand your district's expenditures.
Pre-conference events
 Contract Planning & Pre-retirement Strategies -Agenda-
(Tuesday 1/ 22/08)
This informative 1-day pre-conference event will explore legal ramifications, potential pitfalls, and various options to consider in securing a solid contract that protects your interests, is fair to all parties, and reduces your stress when retirement draws near.
The first half of the day will be for the whole group. The afternoon will provide participants the option of two tracks, one for those with retirement in the near future and the other for those that are beginning to plan their retirement in the mid to longer range time frame. There will also be the option (as we did last year) for members to sign up for min-private contract review sessions with Tom Derderian of Cluck and Associates.
 Experience, Visit, and Learn About Exemplary Local District Programs
(Wednesday 1/23/08 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
Choose from 11 exciting sites exhibiting exemplary education programs in districts from Southeast Michigan. Most of these opportunities are off-site, providing a first-hand look at the people, the programs, and students showcased (transportation provided). Review the options and select the one most interesting to you.
 Building a Strong Professional Learning Community (PLC)
(Wednesday 1/ 23/08; 9:30 a.m.– noon)
Agenda
This hands-on, half-day pre-conference event will give newer superintendents a chance to re-connect and extend the networks forged during past New Superintendent events. The target audience is first- through third-year superintendents, but all interested in this topic are welcome to sign up and attend. This session, led by Dr. Nancy Colflesh, will provide a brief introduction of what a PLC is and how to support it from the district level. Participants will also explore specific strategies for participatory planning and decision making. This highly practical and interactive workshop will allow for plenty of member networking time.
Hotel Information/Reservations 
click here for online hotel reservation
or call 1-800-228-9290 and use the event code "MASMASA"
See What Detroit Has To Offer http://www.visitdetroit.com/
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