Speaking of Leading:
"The efficiency campus gave his students the chance to take real college courses without having to spend any gas or time they were not already spending. I’d love to see kids in Allegan County earn both an associate’s degree and their high school diploma at the same time.”

–Chris Stephens, superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools, in the Allegan County News 6.4.09 regarding the district’s online learning opportunity coordinated through Allegan Area Educational Service Agency and Allegan County Michigan Works!

Project ReImagine:
Re-Imagining Michigan Education Webinar

On June 30th at 2:00 pm ET, the Michigan Department of Education is partnering with Learning Point Associates to host a 90 minute webinar to support Michigan district level innovation teams interested in making a proposal for a ReImagine Michigan grant. The webinar is not technical in nature, but is designed to provide ideas and strategies to fulfill the challenge to significantly reform teaching and learning in Michigan. State Superintendent Mike Flanagan is asking districts to “reimagine” educational reform and make entrepreneurial, systemic changes that will dramatically change and improve education in Michigan. MDE is seeking innovative system-wide reform – not change through programs or projects – that will ensure all students learn and achieve at high levels.

According to the Project ReImagine RFP due in the fall, MDE is seeking 15-20 demonstration districts that can create innovative plans and actions to reform teaching and learning. Working with the MDE, Learning Point Associates wants to help jump start your thinking, and this webinar will set the context, introduce a process for thinking innovatively as team, and present innovative ideas that have been implemented in Michigan and around the country.

Our Speakers will include:

• Michigan Department of Education ReImagine Staff
• Paul Kimmelman, Learning Point Associates
• New Tech High Representative
• Innovative District Leaders in Michigan

We hope that you and your colleagues can join us for this event and look forward to your active and entrepreneurial participation!

To register for this event please click HERE!

Are you using tax-free diesel fuel?

It has come to the attention of the Bureau of Tax Policy that some school districts in Michigan may have improperly used tax-free dyed diesel fuel in school busses that are owned and operated or leased and operated by a private contractor.

Section 122 of the Motor Fuel Tax Act (MFTA, MCL 207.1122, generally prohibits the use of dyed diesel fuel in vehicles that are operated on the public roadways in Michigan. However, there is an exception for diesel fuel used in a "motor vehicle owned and operated or leased and operated by the federal or state government or a political subdivision of this state." This exception allows a school district that owns and operates its busses to use tax-free dyed diesel fuel in those busses.

However, if a provate contractor owns and operates or leases and operates school busses pursuant to a contract with a school district, or if the private company operates busses owned or leased by a school district, the MFTA prohibits the use of tax-free diesel fuel in those busses.

Similarly, if taxed, clear diesel fuel is used in busses owned and operated or leased and operated by a private contractor pursuant to a contract with a school district, or is used in busses owned or leased by the school district but operated by the private contractor, neither the school district nor the private contractor would be eligible for a refund of the tax paid on that fuel.

Consequently, any school district that is using dyed diesel fuel in busses that the district does not own and operate or lease and operated should stop doing so immediately.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Douglas R. Miller, Special Taxes Division, Bureau of Tax Policy, at 517.636.6230.

MSBO’s second Student Transportation Benchmarking Survey

Understanding transportation costs and how they compare with other district costs is essential in evaluating efficiency and provides a foundation for analysis of how districts provide service.

MSBO is once again conducting a Student Transportation Benchmarking Survey. It has been enhanced and redesigned to increase the amount of meaningful information made available, while making data entry easier.

Survey response has been slow thus far, and MSBO is requesting maximum participation in order to ensure good, useful data.

This is an online survey, but the form can be printed off in advance and used to compile the information prior to entering the data online. Print off the survey.

The link below leads to the survey. It should take less than an hour to complete. All results will be published in comparison groups, but no individual district information will be released. This survey will be open through Friday, July 3, 2009.

Take the survey

Superintendent of the Year nominations due

Region presidents are now welcoming nominations for regional 2010 Superintendent of the Year awards, co-sponsored by MASA, AASA, and Aramark. Anyone can nominate a superintendent for this program. Most often, nominations come from a school board member, parent, community leader or another superintendent.

Check with your own region president to learn the nomination process your region will follow. If the region has no planned process, then follow the following steps:

1. Complete the “Nomination Form” at the Superintendent of the Year awards page of Michigan Edusource.
2. Submit the nomination form to your Region President and AASA by July 30, in order to give nominees adequate time to complete the lengthy application packet. (The deadline for all nominees’ completed application packets is September 30.)

This year’s theme will be “High Expectations for a Global Era” and all applicants will be measured against the following criteria:

• Leadership for Learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.
• Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication.
• Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
• Community Involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national and international issues.

This year marks the 23rd year of the National Superintendent of the Year Program. Nomination brochures have been mailed to all public school board presidents, so if you plan to nominate a colleague, be sure to check with their board president so you can work together. An invitation to participate should have been mailed to all public school boards and superintendents in Early June.

To learn more about the National Superintendent of the Year program, visit www.aasa.org/awards/content.cfm?ItemNumber=10476#B

MASA Fall Conference preparations coming together

Many of our members and staff spent part of last week at the Grand Traverse Resort for the MAISA Summer Conference. The conference was extremely productive and, as always, the Grand Traverse Resort staff was very accommodating.

In fact, it gave us an opportunity to touch base and remind them of our major MASA Fall Conference that is taking place September 23-25, 2009. They will be ready for us as will your conference planning committee.

At present, we are confirming Exhibitors as well as our presenters for break-out sessions at the New Superintendents preconference (September 22-23) and the full conference.

Working with our year-long theme of Expanding Our Circle of Influence, some of our clinics topics include:

• Crucial Conversations
• Contentious Negotiations
• MASB’s Superintendents Search Department: A new direction
• Lead Forward
• Getting a Grip on Retirement
• High Performance Schools
• Courageous Journey Orientation
• Need to Know from MSBO
• Redesigning High Schools
• More on ARRA
• Renewable Energy Products
• Grassroots in a Tech World
• Hot Legal Issues
• And much more.

You also will be able to stay in touch due to the generous offering of Sehi Computer Products as they once again provide the SEHI Business Center.

We suggest that you also start training for the Friday morning SET SEG Fun Run with Coach Chuck Miller.

New Superintendents -
Get the right start at MASA's New Supt conference just for you

September 22-23, 2009
Grand Traverse Resort

If you're new to the position of superintendent in the past three years, you won't want to miss this conference. MASA's New Supt Conference brings together the best there is to offer on topics, resources, and people to help you survive and thrive in the demanding role as a school leader.

Issues to be addressed include:

• Negotiations
• School laws
• Dealing with the media
• Working with boards
• Take-home resources
• Understanding ARRA
• Networking with peers
• Insights from veteran superintendents
• and more....

For details and registration, visit www.gomasa.org.

US Communities adds Phys Ed Equipment and Supplies RFP

Our partner, U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, has made available a Physical Education Equipment and Supplies RFP. The RFP was issued by Harford County Public Schools on behalf  of U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance and other government agencies. The RFP may also be accessed via the following link: www.hcps.org/Departments/businessServices/Purchasing.aspx.

U.S. Communities provides a national purchasing forum for local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education and non-profits nationwide by pooling the purchasing power of over 87,000 public agencies. As a registered participant of the program, your agency can access a broad line of competitively solicited contracts which provide quality products, services and solutions.

Learn more…

RETIREES - Mark your calendars!
MASEL Luncheon: September 15, 2009

The 44th annual luncheon of the Michigan Association of Senior Education Leaders (MASEL) will take place on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at the Kellogg Center, MSU, East Lansing.

Reservation information will be mailed to all retired members on the MASA mailing list in August. For additional information, please contact Kristy Warner at 517.327.9262 or kwarner@gomasa.org.

Interim Administrator Directory

MASA's Interim Administrator Directory stands as a service to connect experienced school leaders with districts looking for immediate and/or temporary assistance with superintendent and central office roles.

More than ever, districts are seeking interim administratration to fill gaps as reorganization and restructuring result in staff changes. If you are a retired superintendent or central office staff with an interest in sharing your valuable experience in the field, consider taking advantage of this resource to extend your network.

The Directory has been recently expanded to include connection to the vendor community as well who often seek to employ or contract with recent retirees with knowledge of the field and insight into district needs.

Find out more online.

At  this year’s MASA Distinguished Administrators’ Luncheon, 10  new MASA members were inducted into the Winners’ Circle. These members were honored by the Membership Services Committee for initiating a unique, successful program or implementing an innovative idea that has had a significant, positive impact on their school districts that can be used by other districts across the state.

MCISD Transition Center's "Planting the Seeds for Success" greenhouse initiative

Donald Spencer, Monroe County ISD
with  Monroe County Superintendents (from nine constituent districts)

The MCISD Transition Center's "Planting the Seeds for Success" greenhouse initiative is a collaborative partnership between the MCISD and its constituent districts, Monroe County Community College (MCCC), Michigan State Extension, St. Isadore Farms, and North Monroe Greenhouse. This project is the first in  a series of vocational training programs designed to improve independence, and increase employability skills for Transition Center students. Currently, 13 students with disabilities attend classes three times a week at M.C.C.C. The curriculum is centered on the Junior Master Gardener program, developed by MSU Extension, and is co-taught by a special education teacher and a MCCC professor. The students are enrolled in the community college, have MCCC IDs, and all the same privileges as other MCCC students.

Students are educated in the least restrictive environment and participate in age-appropriate activities. They receive certification from MCCC, ultimately making them more employable, more independent, and more confident. They receive hands-on experience at St. Isadore Farms and training at North Monroe Greenhouse, which provides experience in a private business setting.

MAISA news:

MAISA Summer Conference review

The MAISA Summer Conference was held June 17-19, 2003 in Traverse City. President Elect Chris Wigent, Wayne RESA Superintendent, introduced the conference theme:  Leadership for Creating a World Class Education…A Policy Discussion.

Lead speakers included Brian Rowan, Professor, School of Education and Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan. Dr. Rowan’s topic was “Thinking Globally about Michigan Education.”  Dr. Alan Ruby, Senior Fellow for International Education, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania discussed “Education Reform Around the World.”  Dr. Tom Svitkovich, Genesee ISD Superintendent presented “Student Success through Virtual Learning.”  Joan Sergent, Executive Director, Tri-County Alliance and Earl Ryan, President, Citizen’s Research Council spoke related to “Education in Michigan: School Finance and Reform.”

Superintendent of Instruction Mike Flanagan challenged the membership to take the lead in creating greater efficiencies through shared and consolidated services, along with truly re-imagining the ways we can impact student success.

Robert Chadwick, President, Consensus Associates, lead the membership in a process of a deep discussion about defining and moving toward ways to create a world class Education.

MDE news:

ARRA updates

The MDE staff have completed their answers to the many questions that arose from participants of the May 26 ARRA workshop. You can find a link on the MIEM resources page, or directly through any of the links below.

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are now available for the following topics:

• Stabilization FAQs
• Race to the Top (Project Reimagine)/Innovation What Works
• Title I FAQs
• Title I Recovery Funds
• IDEA FAQs
• IDEA Recovery Funds
• Miscellaneous FAQs

The FAQs will be updated as further guidance is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, so please re-visit the MDE website often at www.michigan.gov/mde-recovery.

Economic Snapshot for June 2009

A new snapshot report by the Center for American Progress shows the recession is still getting worse, although at a slower pace than before. Wall Street has enjoyed a good run over the past month, but there are no real “glimmers of hope” for families yet. Job losses are still very large, family wealth continues to sink like a rock, and families’ economic distress is still climbing to historic levels.

The economy will have to grow for an extended period of time and reverse the shrinkage that currently characterizes economic activity before families regain some semblance of economic security. Public investments in health care, energy independence, public education, and innovation are necessary to achieve this turnaround in the economy. These investments will help create more jobs in the short term and foster faster productivity growth and thus rising living standards over the longer term.

1. The U.S. economy is shrinking quickly. In the first quarter of 2009, the gross domestic product declined at an annual rate of 5.7%, after falling by 6.3% in the fourth quarter of 2008.

2. Massive job losses continue. The U.S. economy shed 345,000 jobs in May 2009. The economy has lost 6.0 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007, and 2.9 million jobs—48.7% of the total—just in 2009.

3. Unemployment stays high among the most vulnerable. In May 2009, the unemployment rate was 9.4%—the highest level since August 1983. The African-American unemployment rate stood at 14.9%, the Hispanic unemployment rate at 12.7%, and the unemployment rate for whites at 8.6% in January 2009. Youth unemployment stayed high at 22.7%. And the unemployment rate for people without a high school diploma jumped to 15.5%, compared to 10.0% for those with a high school degree and 4.8% for those with a college degree.

4. The unemployed are going without a job for record lengths. The average length of unemployment was 22.5 weeks in May 2009, and the median length of unemployment was 14.9 weeks. These are the highest levels since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started to collect these data in 1948.

5. Wages are still up due to declining prices. In April 2009, inflation adjusted weekly earnings were 2.6% higher and hourly earnings were 4.3% higher than a year earlier, largely because of declining prices over the past year. This is unlikely to last even when prices for energy and other items start to rise again.

6. Benefits decreased before the crisis. The share of private-sector workers with a pension dropped from 50.3% in 2000 to 45.1% in 2007, and the share of people with employer-provided health insurance dropped from 64.2% in 2000 to 59.3% in 2007.

7. Family wealth disappears at record pace. Total family wealth decreased by $16 trillion in 2009 dollars from June 2007—the last peak of family wealth—to March 2009. This reflects a drop of 24.2% during these 21 months, the fastest decline in any 21-month period since the Federal Reserve started to collect these data in 1952. And total family wealth stood at 467.1% of after-tax income, the lowest level since September 1992.

8. The housing market is still sputtering. New home sales in March 2009 amounted to an annualized, seasonally adjusted rate of 352,000—34.0% lower than a year earlier, despite a 14.9% year-over-year drop in median new home prices. Existing home sales were 3.5% lower and their median sales price was 15.4% less than a year earlier.

9. Mortgage troubles mount. One in eight mortgages is delinquent or in foreclosure. In the first quarter of 2009, the share of mortgages that were delinquent was 9.1%, and the share of mortgages that were in foreclosure was 3.9%. The share of new mortgages going into foreclosure surged to a new record high of 1.4% of all mortgages.

10. Families feel the pressure. Credit card defaults sharply rose to 7.5% of all credit card debt by the first quarter of 2009—an increase of 79.2% from the fourth quarter of 2007.

Download the snapshot with graphs (pdf)

Generous financial returns are a relief to districts trying to save every penny

The MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool and the SEG Self-Insurer Workers’ Compensation Fund both recently declared significant member returns. Combined, the two SET SEG entities will return $12 million to eligible members during the 2009-2010 coverage year.

The Pool is returning $5 million in surplus funds to eligible members after they renew their coverage and submit their annual premium contribution, while the Fund is returning $7 million of accumulated assets to its members in the form of reduced premiums. In accordance with its bylaws, the Fund will credit one-fourth of each eligible district’s share of the premium reduction to each of its quarterly invoices. Members become eligible for the premium reduction after three years of participation in the Fund.

This is the 18th consecutive year the Pool has returned surplus or dividends to members, and the 29th for the Fund. Financial returns such as these are enabled by conservative investment strategies and the strong financial health of the organizations.

School districts and educational organizations that wish to learn more about the MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool or the SEG Self-Insurer Workers’ Compensation Fund should contact their SET SEG Account Executive by calling (800) 292-5421.

Property Valuation Program provides Pool members with free, cost-saving service

A new service available through the MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool is helping Pool members gain peace of mind—by ensuring their buildings and contents are properly covered in case of catastrophic loss. Thanks to a partnership between the Pool and CBIZ Valuation Group, members will receive a free appraisal of their buildings and contents as well as a copy of the comprehensive valuation data. Property valuations will be conducted regionally over the course of three years.

Data obtained from the Property Valuation Program provides individual members with accurate, up-to-date information so districts can confidently protect their buildings and contents up to their total insured value. The information is helpful for districts wanting to upgrade their facilities, verify insured values and know the true value of their buildings and contents. School districts wishing to upgrade their property valuation to meet the financial requirements of GASB-34 can do so at a 15 percent discount from the standard CBIZ rates.

Obtaining accurate property valuation data is also important for the Pool as a whole, as it allows the Pool to provide detailed information to its reinsurers and negotiate favorable reinsurance rates. This helps the Pool maintain steady and predictable rates and keeps members’ premiums consistent.

School districts and educational organizations that wish to learn more about the MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool or the Property Valuation Program should contact their SET SEG Account Executive by calling 800.292.5421.

SET SEG is a nonprofit provider of complete insurance services to Michigan school districts and educational organizations. SET SEG provides employee benefits, property/casualty and/or workers compensation insurance to more than 550 educational organizations in the state. The MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool is a nonprofit, self-insured pool that provides property and liability coverage to 463 member school districts throughout Michigan.

• Re-Imagining Michigan Education Webinar
  June 30, 2009
• 2009 Seattle Summit: Leadership For the Future
  July 16-19
  Seattle, WA
• 21st Century Learning Symposium (2nd Annual)
  August 6
  Port Huron High School
• Differentiated Instruction Conference
  August 12 & 13, 2009 at
  Clarkston High School
• Michigan Teaching for Learning Institute: Igniting the Sparks of Genius
  August 18-20
  Lansing Convention Center
• Get the Edge:
  Maximize the Net Interest Income from Your School's Investment Dollars
  August 21
  Oakland Schools
• Curriculum Leaders Bootcamp series
• Beyond Compliance: Renewing Our Commitment to ALL Children–The Annual Homeless Education Conference
  September 13-15
  Kellogg Center, East Lansing
• Curriculum Leaders Experienced series
• MSU Assessment Certification Program

Michigan Association of School Administrators
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Lansing, MI 48917
www.michiganedusource.org/gomasa | Contact us