 |
Sep 11, 2009 |
 |
|
Featured sponsors: |
|
|
|
Dave Killips, superintendent of Chelsea School District, in testimony 9.10.09 to a House committee hearing on HB 5345 (Dillon Insurance Reform proposal).
It's not too late to attend MASA's 2009 Fall Conference, "Expanding the Circle of Influence."
Check out MASA Fall Conference details online to find the latest agenda updates, special events, and get registered for the premiere learning and networking event for school administrators as you launch a new year for your students.
Great things await attendees with up-to-date information and valuable resources presented by speakers and clinic sessions.
The New Superintendents preconference (September 22-23) starts leaders in their first few years in the superintendency off on the right path with valuable connections, practical training, a range of resources, and a glimpse at what lies ahead in your career and how to handle it. Get details about the New Supts Conference online.
Working with our year-long theme of Expanding the 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.
Getting valuable information, taking advantage of great opportunities to network and learn from each other all in the beautiful setting of Traverse City makes the 2009 MASA Fall Conference the place to be to expand your circle of influence.
Dillon Public Health Care Pooling bills released
House Speaker Andy Dillon released his draft legislation creating a single statewide health care pool for public sector employees during the final days of August. MASA members and staff provided testimony to the Public Employee Healthcare Reform Committee on September 10, 2009. Read progress on HB 5345 at www.legislature.mi.gov.
Salaries: Great Lakes superintendents among the lowest paid in the nation
As the issue of employee benefits and wages arises as an increasingly hot topic in many news stories, it’s interesting to note a new report on superintendent pay. Those of you who face questions might find the latest average salary statistics of some use, now or down the line.
According to the just-issued annual report on personnel salaries in K-12 education, Great Lakes area superintendents average among the lowest in the nation. Only the Rocky Mountain places lower, and even they are making gains at a faster pace.
And it comes as no surprise that superintendents in the smallest districts (300-2,400 students) average the smallest salaries of all, making roughly half of those in districts of 25,000 students or more.
The full report is available for viewing in the MASA office (contact Linda Wacyk, lwacyk@gomasa.org), or by ordering from the Educational Research Service at www.ers.org. Data also is disaggregated by a school district’s per-pupil expenditure level and community type (large urban, small town, rural, etc.). The numbers in parentheses relate to the previous year (2007-08).
Average superintendent salary nationally: $155,634 (2007-08, $148,387)
District enrollment: 2008-09 (2007-08)
25,000 or more $225,222 ($215,126)
10,000-24,999 $176,993 ($165,862)
2,500-9,999 $150,062 ($145,388)
300-2,499 $114,509 ($108,346)
Region:
New England $144,233 ($141,188)
Mideast $166,513 ($157,740)
Southeast $160,719 ($153,213)
Great Lakes $137,817 ($131,556)
Plains $142,099 ($136,550)
Southwest $161,958 ($150,580)
Rocky Mtns $131,512 ($122,409)
Far West $172,646 ($164,148)
Learn more about Best Doctors: Sign up for a free webinar!
WHAT: A free webinar designed to educate administrators about Best Doctors, a value-added medical review service available to subscribers enrolled in a SET Employee Benefits medical plan. During the webinar, Best Doctors staff will provide a detailed explanation of the program including:
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, September 30; 10 A.M. REGISTRATION: Watch for an e-mailed invitation from Best Doctors! To ensure you’re included on the invitation list, complete this form. Background SET Employee Benefits encourages you to sign up today! 1-800-292-5421 |
WHO: Any district or educational organization interested in learning more about Best Doctors
MDE guidance on ARRA reporting: September 10, 2009
Reporting for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants must be completed by all recipients of ARRA Grant funds whether the funds were received from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) or direct from the Federal government. ARRA reporting for school districts (LEAs, ISDs, or PSAs) will four basic forms: program reporting, Section 1512 reporting, final expenditure reporting, and reporting in the Financial Information Database (FID).
Program reporting is the traditional grant program reporting normally completed in MEGS. This reporting is usually done on an annual basis and will be managed by the various MDE program offices. The office that awarded the grant will be the contact for grant program reporting.
Section 1512 reporting is specific to all ARRA programs that distribute funds. This reporting is part of the increased transparency and reporting that is part of the ARRA. Section 1512 reporting will be completed quarterly by all recipients of ARRA funds. LEAs/ISDs/PSAs that have received funds will use MEGS to update information on a quarterly basis for each grant award. This reporting requires that each recipient have a DUNS number entered in the Education Entity Master (EEM). The Section 1512 reporting will also require quarterly updates on the number of jobs created or retained, a description of the jobs, and information on all vendor contracts. In additional districts receiving Education Stabilization or IDEA grants will have to report on infrastructure expenditures.
Final Expenditure reporting will be done using the Cash Management System and will follow the traditional means of reporting federal grant expenditures at the end of the grant period. Districts will be able to report expenditures at the end of the grant period or when funds are 100% expended.
ARRA grants will also be included in the annual Financial Information Database (FID) report. The actual FID reporting requirements related to ARRA have not been totally resolved. However it appears that in order to comply with the recently released ARRA reporting requirements, districts will be required to utilize the State Code dimension of the accounting structure when reporting to the 2009-10 Financial Information Database due November 15, 2010. Standard “State Codes” are available in the Michigan Public School Accounting Manual, Appendix, Pages 49-58. The URL is:
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-6530_6605-21321--,00.html
Constitution Day: September 17
Every year, schools and other organizations across the United States celebrate the signing of the final draft of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. Resources are available all over the Web, but here are a couple worth noting:
The First Amendment Center Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center Educators' Guide 2009-10www.michiganedusource.org/LawLegal/EduGuide2009.pdf
It includes information about:
- Social studies content expectations and GLCEs;
- Constitution Day materials including information about a 13-minute webcast with Chief Justice Marilyn Kelly reading/talking to elementary students about the Constitution;
- Information about Justitia, an e-newsletter for educators
- More…
Negotiations and board relationships are just two of the critical topics on the agenda for the New Superintendents pre-conference September 22-23 in Traverse City.
New superintendents are invited to register for the 1.5 day event that will bring in high profile speakers on timely topics such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), using data to improve learning, instructional leadership, government relations, and more.
New superintendents will also have a chance to jump-start their networks with peers and their connections to some of the most timely and useful resources available to school leaders in Michigan.
Participants, along with their spouses, are also invited to an evening event on Tuesday where they can informally gather, share questions and ideas, and relax while taking in the beautiful views from the Aerie on the 17th floor of the Grand Traverse Resort.
Don’t miss this must-attend event. Registration is open.
New on MASA’s ARRA Resource Center
ARRA reporting requirements
The Michigan Reporting for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants must be completed by all recipients of ARRA Grant funds whether the funds were received from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) or direct from the Federal government. ARRA reporting for school districts (LEAs, ISDs, or PSAs) will include four basic forms: program reporting, Section 1512 reporting, final expenditure reporting, and reporting in the Financial Information Database (FID).
For more ARRA resources, visit MASA's online ARRA Resource Center.
H1N1 Resource addition
New at the Michigan EduSource (www.michiganedusource.org/flu-h1n1.htm)
Planning for Schools, by the NASB
Add the National Association of School Boards to the list of organizations weighing in with information, tools and resources to help you manage potential H1N1 outbreaks. The site contains many tools similar to others we’ve posted, but features a few unique items as well, including:
- Influenza Data and Incidence Tracking
The latest data on the incidence of H1N1 and seasonal flu. - FAQs
Various organizations' responses to frequently asked questions related to the H1N1 virus and seasonal influenza. - H1N1/Pandemic Flu Blogs
Blogs related to H1N1 and pandemic flu posted on NSBA’s BoardBuzz.
Background and key findings of a survey conducted in July-August, 2009 on local school district superintendents' attitudes, plans, and concerns regarding possible H1N1 vaccination clinics in schools.
MASA expands Government Relations Department
In response to added pressures on education from Washington and Lansing, MASA/MAISA have increased our capacity to influence and respond to local, state and national public policy. Bob Kefgen will join the Government Relations team this fall as the MASA/MAISA Legislative Liaison, and he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organization.
Bob is an eight-year veteran of the Michigan Legislature and the current chief-of-staff to Representative Dudley Spade. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Bob to the MASA/MAISA family.
Direct any questions about this position or about the Government Relations department to Brad Biladeau at bbiladeau@gomasa.org or 517.327.9265.
Retirees! MASEL Florida Luncheon
February 18, 2010
MASEL-FL plans to gather for its 46th annual meeting and lunch on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at the Peridia Golf and Country Club, 4950 Peridia Drive, Bradenton, FL. All MASA retirees who will be in Florida are urged to attend this meeting to catch up with old colleagues, hear about important education news in Michigan and hear guest speaker Dr. Dave Gaylor, Superintendent of Schools, Charlotte County, Florida.
Spouses and friends of retirees are welcome at this meeting to enjoy the great location and lunch.
Reservation information will be mailed to all retired members with a Florida address on the MASA mailing list the first week in January. For more information, please contact Kristy Warner at 517.327.9262, kwarner@gomasa.org.
MASA staff change
MASA members will hear one less friendly voice when they call our office starting in October. Our long time friend and great staffer, James Scofield, has accepted a new position with Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS), where he will head their design team.
All of us are sad to see James go—but then again, we congratulate him on this great career opportunity. We wish him all good things in the future. As MASA Executive Director said in his email to our Executive Board: “We will be posting his “walk on water” position soon.”
Highlighted Benefit
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 administratrators 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.
Look Both Ways Before You Cough
State Superintendent Mike Flanagan’s September podcast welcomes the new school year with hope for change and advice for students and parents.
http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-37818_45256-221166--,00.html
Feds issue School Improvement regulations
On August 26, USED released regulations for the Title I School Improvement Grants. The proposed requirements would define the criteria that the Michigan Department of Education use to award school improvement funds to local educational agencies (LEAs) with the lowest-achieving Title I schools that demonstrate:
- the greatest need for the funds and
- the strongest commitment to use those funds to provide adequate resources to their lowest-achieving Title I schools
- in order to raise substantially the achievement of the students attending those schools.
Put more succinctly, the proposed changes establish how states interested in this pot of funding would determine which schools to spend the money on.
School Improvement Grants are awarded to states. Individual districts apply to the state to receive funds. Ninety-five percent of a state’s grant must be passed on to districts, and the money must be targeted at the poorest-performing schools.
The proposed requirements group schools into three tiers:
- Tier 1 are the poorest-performing Title-I eligible schools;
- Tier 2 includes high schools and middle schools that are eligible for but not receiving Title I monies
- Tier 3 would be the remaining Title I schools.
The proposed requirements provide four options for turning schools around:
- The turnaround model requires the school to replace the principal and at least 50 percent of staff, adopt a new governance structure, and implement a revised instructional program.
- The restart model would close a school and reopen it under the management of a charter school operator, a charter management organization, or an educational management organization.
- The school closure model would close the school and enroll students in other, high-achieving schools within the district.
- The transformation model would require the school to develop teacher/school leader effectiveness, implement comprehensive instructional reform strategies, extend learning time and create community-oriented schools, and provide operating flexibility and sustained support.
Any district with more than 9 qualifying (Tier 1) schools cannot use the same model in more than half of its schools. That is, a district with 9 Tier 1 school cannot use the transformation model in all 9. They can use the transformation model in four of the schools, but must use other models in the remaining 5 schools.
Comments are due by September 25, 2009. Check the AASA website and blog at www.aasa.org for updates and to reference their submitted comments.
AASA news:
Obama invited to speak at AASA Conference
Please consider attending the national AASA conference in Phoenix this winter—our own Mark Bielang will be presiding. We have a block of rooms and would love to have you join us. President Obama is considering AASA’s offer to be the keynote speaker.
AASA has provided our state association with a block of rooms at the “Hyatt” during the 2010 National Conference on Education, which will be hosted in Phoenix, AZ, from February 11-13th. We encourage you to book your hotel reservations as soon as possible to guarantee that you can be accommodated within our state block. An important point to note is that you must be registered for the conference before you can make any hotel reservation.
To register and book your hotel reservations follow the instructions below:
Registration Instructions
- Go to www.aasa.org/nce and select the “REGISTER” button on the right side of the page under the header “Register Today!”
- Select the Online State Association Registration and Housing Link at the bottom of the page
- Select our state from the drop down menu
- Enter the following user name and password:
Username: Mayes
Password: Gold10 - If you are an AASA member enter your AASA member number and your last name in the space provided.
NOTE TO NON-MEMBERS: If you are a non member then click the “click here” button under the header “Are you on a non-member? Did you forget your membership ID.” Be sure to note that non-member registration will be available on July 15, 2009. - Complete the registration process by filling in each page as you are prompted. Be sure to pay close attention and select any special events or tours that you’d like to attend.
Housing Instructions
- After registering you will be on Page 13 of the registration and housing process. Click on “Search for Hotels” to view the hotel in our State Block. Only our designated hotel will appear in the pull down menu.
- Page 14 – Be sure you click the button next to “search state sub block.” In the drop down boxes choose your arrival and departure dates along with the number of rooms you would like and click on “Check Availability.”
- Page 15 – select the Hyatt and click reserve rooms
- Page 16 – choose any options you’d like or add other occupants who may be staying in the room with you
- Page 17 – carefully review all of your registration and housing information one more time. If changes are necessary be sure to make them now
- Page 18 – follow the onscreen instructions to make your payment.
Superintendent's Briefing Book now available!
2010 Superintendent’s Briefing Book: Vital Information for School District Leaders
The 2010 Superintendent's Briefing Book provides comprehensive yet concise overviews of the best thinking available on a wide range of top-priority PreK-12 education concerns. This 356-page resource will prove invaluable in making research-based decisions with confidence, and in identifying programs and practices that will improve student achievement.
Among the issues covered in the Briefing Book are: critical elements of school improvement, developing principal leadership, providing special supports for students at risk, using data for decisions, staff compensation, and much more! The 2010 Superintendent's Briefing Book will help you:
- get up to speed quickly on key PreK-12 topics and issues
- learn where to turn for additional information and related resources in areas of special concern to you or your district
- share information with staffers that will enhance their productivity
A free copy of the Briefing Book will be provided to participants of MASA's 2009 New Superintendents' Conference!
Order copies while they last for $75 by calling 517.327.5910 or email lwacyk@gomasa.org.
Michigan Schools CPR/AED Drill Weeks
Nov 9-13 and Feb 1-5
MASA is joining the Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation, the Michigan Chapter of the American Heart Association (AHA) and various Michigan School Associations to help promote Michigan Schools 2009/2010 CPR/AED Drill Weeks. Those who participated in past years overwhelmingly found the drills to be educational and worthwhile exercises.
The Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation was founded by Randy and Sue Gillary after the death of their 15 year old daughter, Kimberly, who suffered a cardiac arrest while participating in a water polo game on April 1, 2000. The Foundation’s mission is to place an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every Michigan high school and to advocate cardiac screening and testing of all high school student athletes. To date, the Foundation has donated over 500 AEDs, two of which were used in successful rescues. For more information on the Foundation visit their web site at www.kimberlysgift.org.
Tragically, occurrences, like Kimberly’s, are reported every school year. A recent study reported in Circulation, the Journal of the AHA, found an annual incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in high school athletes alone of 4.4 in 100,000.
Studies have shown that early 911, early CPR, early defibrillation, and early advance life support can help save the lives of those stricken by sudden cardiac arrest. In 2004, the AHA Publication – The Emergency Response Plan for Schools, emphasized routine AED practice drills and evaluations.
We encourage AED Coordinators to conduct Practice Drill(s) during this week to improve school safety, heighten AED Awareness, and help to save lives. A drill can be conducted before, during, or after school hours. In addition, it does not have to disrupt the whole school and should take no more than several minutes to complete. Drills also give administrators an opportunity make improvements before an actual emergency arises. Participating CPR/AED instructors, Fire and EMS responders, and Local Hospital personnel may contact you to offer their assistance.
For help on conducting a drill visit www.aeddrill.com or contact the Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation (248.528.0440 ecgillary@gillarylaw.com) or Aventric Technologies/HeartAED (800.228.3343 tperna@aventric.com), the event originator.
These events will also provide a great opportunity for school and community relations and serve as a benchmark for continued practice throughout the school year. Most importantly, an AED Drill improves the chances of saving the lives of students, staff members, and visitors who may suffer sudden cardiac arrest.
Feds issue School Improvement regulations
On August 26, USED released regulations for the Title I School Improvement Grants. The proposed requirements would define the criteria that the Michigan Department of Education use to award school improvement funds to local educational agencies LEAs) with the lowest-achieving Title I schools that demonstrate:
- the greatest need for the funds and
- the strongest commitment to use those funds to provide adequate resources to their lowest-achieving Title I schools
- in order to raise substantially the achievement of the students attending those schools.
Put more succinctly, the proposed changes establish how states interested in this pot of funding would determine which schools to spend the money on.
School Improvement Grants are awarded to states. Individual districts apply to the state to receive funds. Ninety-five percent of a state’s grant must be passed on to districts, and the money must be targeted at the poorest-performing schools.
The proposed requirements group schools into three tiers:
- Tier 1 are the poorest-performing Title-I eligible schools;
- Tier 2 includes high schools and middle schools that are eligible for but not receiving Title I monies
- Tier 3 would be the remaining Title I schools.
The proposed requirements provide four options for turning schools around:
- The turnaround model requires the school to replace the principal and at least 50 percent of staff, adopt a new governance structure, and implement a revised instructional program.
- The restart model would close a school and reopen it under the management of a charter school operator, a charter management organization, or an educational management organization.
- The school closure model would close the school and enroll students in other, high-achieving schools within the district.
- The transformation model would require the school to develop teacher/school leader effectiveness, implement comprehensive instructional reform strategies, extend learning time and create community-oriented schools, and provide operating flexibility and sustained support.
Any district with more than 9 qualifying (Tier 1) schools cannot use the same model in more than half of its schools. That is, a district with 9 Tier 1 school cannot use the transformation model in all 9. They can use the transformation model in four of the schools, but must use other models in the remaining 5 schools.
Comments are due by September 25, 2009. Check the AASA website and blog at www.aasa.org for updates and to reference their submitted comments.
Omni publishing announces new monthly publication for superintendents
MASA members have been offered a 15% discount on a new publication targeting school leaders. The School Superintendent’s Idea Notebook is a monthly newsletter that reports on ideas and strategies that superintendents throughout the country are implementing in their districts. The no-frills newsletter claims to feature the “best of the best” of these practical and innovative ideas.
Publisher Henry Quinlan says the newsletter presents an opportunity for superintendents to learn from each other. “Who better knows the challenges you face every day? Only another superintendent knows the pressures and opportunities that you have. It makes sense to turn to other superintendents for ideas,” Quinlan says.
The introductory issue reports on a wide range of ideas, from “data rooms” that foster student improvement in a Kentucky school district, to the Baltimore Schools’ massive reorganization plan to close failing schools and expand successful ones. Time and cost saving initiatives are also featured, such as Ohio’s Berea School District’s switch to the web-based PublicSchoolWORKS.com for training on health, safety and compliance issues.
Visit www.omni-pub.com for a preview of The School Superintendent’s Idea Notebook.
MASA members are extended a 15% discount off the annual subscription rate of $165.00 (12 issues).
FOCUS on Results
The latest issue of FOCUS on Results is now available on the Center for Educational Networking Web site. Select the links below to read the articles online or download a PDF of the formatted version.
The August 2009 packet features the following articles:
- The Continuous Improvement and Monitoring System (CIMS-2) Helps Schools Ensure Positive Outcomes for Students
- Understanding Disproportionate Representation and Significant Disproportionality
- Reaching and Teaching Struggling Learners Initiative: A Whole Student, Whole Team, Whole Building Approach
FOCUS on Results are brief guidance and technical assistance documents published periodically by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS).
Showcase your Indoor Air Quality Management program Showcase your IAQ management program’s success this back-to-school season
Only 1 Month remaining to submit your award application!
It’s that time again: teachers are preparing classrooms, parents are busy gathering back-to-school supplies, and students are saying goodbye to summer and hello to homework! Back-to-school is an exciting time for everyone in the school community — not least because Wednesday, September 30,2009, is also your last chance to apply to win a prestigious IAQ TfS Award!
Are you just starting to tackle IAQ management in your school district? Get your program off to a Great Start. The National Great Start and National Leadership awards are non-competitive awards recognizing schools in the initial stages of implementing an IAQ management program. Applications are accepted year-round.
Do you have questions about the IAQ TfS Awards Program? Send us an email.
- Uniting Neighbors in the Experience of Diversity (UNITED) Conference
Sep 27 - Oct 1 - School Bond Issues - The Real Economic Stimulus
October 15 and 16, 2009
Grand Traverse Resort - Interact with a 21st Century Classroom
Oct 23, Chicago, IL - Building a System of Care: Putting Principles into Practice
- MSU Assessment Certification Program
Michigan Association
of School Administrators
1001 Centennial Way, Ste 300
Lansing, MI 48917
www.michiganedusource.org/gomasa | Contact
us