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Council Highlights October 17, 2007

The MASA Executive Board and Council met on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at the University Club in East Lansing, Michigan. Here are some of the highlights of those meetings.

1. SET SEG representatives Jim Miller and Brian Flowerday presented information on Public Employees Health Benefit Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 418). They outlined what the changes in the law will mean for schools in the short and long terms. According to the presenters, schools now have four alternative school insurance models:
   • Form pools on a self-funded basis: New law makes this possible
   • Form pools on an insured basis: Law helps by making claims data available
   • Self-fund as an individual school: Law helps by making claims data available
   • Purchase insurance as an individual district: Law helps obtain competitive bids with claims data.
   * You can view the presentation by SET SEG at www.michiganedusource.org under Employee Relations/Benefits.
2. The Legislative Committee reported on state budget progress and school funding for 2007-08. Although there is disappointment over the limited increase to education (1%, with proposed equity payments taken from that amount), it was acknowledged that this is within the context of 2.5% cuts to other areas of state government. The committee acknowledged the hard work of government relations director Brad Biladeau and other education lobbyists for accomplishing major progress toward the association’s legislative goals. Brad encouraged members to watch for updates on election date legislation, which could move quickly during coming days.
3. The Professional Leadership Committee reported that work is nearly complete on the Administrator Evaluation Toolkit they have been developing. They are making changes based on feedback received at the Fall Conference. Once those edits are complete, they will post the Evaluation Toolkit on the MASA website. Watch for announcements in the MASA Leader in early November.
4. Council members participated in two roundtable discussions to help shape understanding around two critical issues:
   • Retirement issues with MPSERS (Michigan Public School Employee Retiree Services)
     Members throughout the state are being challenged by MPSERS upon retirement, with almost universal denial of at least some portion of compensation in their contracts. At issue most often: Payments equivalent to MIP and/or FICA; salary increases determined “above normal” (as defined by MPSERS based on uncertain criteria). MPSERS has been going back up to 10 years to find these “spikes” and disallowed income.
   • Group explored ideas for possible remedies, including: seeking clarification and specific guidance from MPSERS; allowing current retirees to follow old “rules” with changes in policy being applied only to those who still have time to “fix” their contracts before retirement; pursuing a declaratory judgment in the courts to clarify the law and its application; continued dialogue with MPSERS to push for clarity and transparency; form a MPSERS work group.
5. Professional Learning Communities
   • Group discussed the various efforts underway in regions to build professional learning communities. Options districts are currently finding helpful: book studies, Courageous Journey, and Audio Journal Executive Briefings. Kent ISD has a grant-funded facilitator from Harvard who is working with leadership teams. It was pointed out that some districts have extended the Professional Learning Community to include board members as well.
   • The group stressed the importance of focusing on instructional leadership at each region meeting, and at MASA Council meetings as well.