..

Council Highlights 5-17-06

The MASA Executive Board and Council met May 17, 2006 at the MSU University Club in East Lansing, Michigan. Here are some highlights.

1. The Executive Board moved to return to the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center for the 2008 MASA Midwinter Conference as the response to this year’s event was very positive, and the conference committee feels it is the most fitting environment to meet our needs.
2. Guest speaker Roberta Stanley, Director of Administrative Law for the MDE, provided an update on her work in government relations in Washington D.C. She thanked MASA Executive Director William Mayes and Brad Biladeau for their leadership in advocacy efforts with Michigan’s Congressional delegation. She said she is successful, in part, “because the Congressional delegation knows that groups like MASA stand firmly behind her.” Stanley urged school leaders to continue to communicate with legislators and U.S. DOE officials to make them understand what it looks like and feels like on the front lines of education in real districts every day. “Be respectful—they have their own limitations and directives—but don’t stop engaging them in conversation." She also urged schools to push for additional federal funding, which she described as “woefully inadequate” to meet the challenges of providing the kind of support we need to raise student achievement for all subgroups of students.
3. Executive Director, William Mayes, described a resolution that MASA will send to the U.S. Congressional Delegation expressing our extreme disappointment with the U.S. DOE’s recent policy decision to disallow adjustments that would allow a more equitable process for determining Adequate Yearly Progress for Michigan’s schools. The resolution also urges our delegation to work with the U.S. DOE to review, re-think, and revise its policy decisions to promote equity and consistency within and among states.
4. The MASA “Points of Pride” were presented to the Council. This 4-page document serves as a kind of “annual report” highlighting the accomplishments of MASA during the past year. Some worth mentioning here: 1) The Michigan Institute for Educational Management (MIEM) completed its 25th year, welcoming more than 5,000 participants to MIEM-sponsored activities during the school year. 2) MSAS launched the Courageous Journey voluntary certification endorsement program with a first full cohort that included a diverse cross-section of Michigan superintendents. The program is receiving national attention and promises to grow during 2006-07. 3) MASA improved member communications through a re-designed newsletter, a new Legislative Action Network, more comprehensive news clipping service, and surveys of members.
5. Finally, the Council said farewell to John Vaara, who will leave the Executive Board, and welcomed Scott Dunsmore as a new director on the Board. They also thanked retiring Council members and welcomed new members to the 2006-07 Council. The directors urged new and returning council members to be MASA’s “eyes, ears, and feet” in the field to make sure that all voices are heard and all groups are served as we work to meet the needs of Michigan’s school leaders and advocate on their behalf.