Speaking of leading
“All of our schools will be dramatically impacted by the failure of the state to provide the promises of fair and equitable funding that was approved in the current state school funding program known as Proposal A. It is time for legislators to take action to solve the short-term problem by releasing all federal stimulus funds to fully fund schools in 2009-2010. At the same time, legislators must start immediately to develop a sustainable and reliable source of school funding.”

John Hill, superintendent of Bullock Creek Schools in a guest commentary that appeared in the Saginaw News, 11-10-09.

SOS Update

School Supporters to legislators: Do your job!

A crowd of more than 1,500 gathered at the Capitol Tuesday, November 10, for a "Save our Schools" rally demanding Michigan legislators restore and reform education funding. The effort, which started with a handful of districts and quickly expanded to a state-wide rally, is just the opening round of what promises to be a long-term fight to secure reliable, equitable funding sources for public education. School supporters from around Michigan converged on the Capitol to visit legislators, bringing two basic messages:

• Restore the cuts TODAY to keep this year’s budget whole;
• Get to work TOMORROW to find a permanent solution to our ongoing structural deficit.

Before heading out to meet with legislators, participants stopped to sign petitions, pick up talking points, and hear brief remarks by SOS chairperson Tom White and association executives William Mayes (MASA), Kathy Hayes (MASB) and Joan Sergent (Tri-County Alliance).

MASA president-elect T.C. Wallace was in the crowd to show his support for the movement. “This is priority one, make no mistake about it,” he said. “I’m impressed with the turnout from across the state. It sends the message to legislators that our kids matter.”

• View video coverage of MASA at the event
• View photos of the event

Download communication tools, petitions and/or sample Board Resolution: www.sosmichigan.org You can also sign up to get involved with SOS! at the local level. Connect with SOS! on Facebook or LinkedIn, and follow us on Twitter to stay informed.

Cuts to K-12 reflect only part of the impact on children

As severe as they are, budget cuts to schools tell only part of the story when it comes to describing the impact Michigan’s budget woes are having on our students.

A recent update by Michigan’s Children highlights the final 2009-10 budget provisions affecting children and families. It’s a report worth reading, and can help your staff and community members understand the urgency around the need to fix Michigan’s funding crisis and find a sustainable solution to our continuing structural deficits.

From the report summary:

"In the context of more than eight years of budget cuts affecting vulnerable children and families, as well as one-time measures to balance the state budget, Michigan’s Children believes that children can ill afford efforts by state leaders to continue to cut their way out of Michigan's fiscal problems. Michigan's Children has joined forces with a range of other organizations to help promote alternatives to help address Michigan’s structural budget deficit and ensure that Michigan builds a stable and fair tax system that generates sufficient revenue to protect children and invest in the next generation of Michigan workers."

Read the full report or for more information on Michigan’s budget crisis and alternatives to further budget cuts, visit Michigan’s Children’s website at www.michiganschildren.org.

MSU Seeks two Outreach Specialists

DUTIES: Design, implement and manage complex educational initiatives in the Office of K-12 Outreach in MSU's College of Education. Requires deep knowledge of and experience in Michigan's educational policy and K-12 education system and grant management.

For qualifications and information on how to apply, please visit www.educ.msu.edu

APPLICATIONS: Due November 20, 2009.

DUTIES: Direct the MSU Good Schools Resource Center. Provide directive and reactive technical assistance to Skillman Foundation-designated schools through on-site consultation on a continuing, as needed basis. Provide strong research based professional development based on the Indicators of School Success for schools identified as Good Schools by The Skillman Foundation and schools within the areas identified as Skillman Good Neighborhoods.

QUALIFICATIONS: Masters in a relevant field, strong administrative background in urban education K-12 with knowledge of school reform, standards for professional development, curriculum, instruction and assessment.

APPLICATIONS: Due November 20, 2009.

For qualifications and information on how to apply, please visit www.educ.msu.edu

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The university actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.

Need a chuckle?

Reduce premiums and limit risk with a SET Employee Benefits wrap plan

Last July, school districts with 100 employees or more were impacted by changes in health insurance costs as a result of PA 106. This is due, in part, to a shift to experience-rated health care pricing: Rates are determined by employee benefit usage, or claims history.

Districts with healthy employees could see their cost of health care decrease with experience rating. As a result of experience rating, districts have a direct and strong financial interest in the wellness of their employees. SET Employee Benefits recognizes Public Act 106 as a tremendous opportunity for schools to implement programs that will control health care expenditures and encourage employees to become active participants in the health care management process.

SET Employee Benefits works with Priority Health to offer programs that provide an innovative approach to health and wellness including:

• Preventative care to keep employees healthy;
• Condition management to control illness and cost;
• Wellness packages directly from Priority Health;
• Case management for complex cases; and
• HealthByChoice Rewards plan.

School districts with 100 to 200 employees have experienced annual savings of $200,000-$300,000 by switching to Priority Health.

SET Employee Benefits also works with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) to offer cost containment plans including:

• BlueHealthConnection wellness and care management solutions;
• Blue Care Network plans;
• Healthy Blue Living plans; and
• Disease Management;

BCBSM-based Wrap plans could also offer substantial savings to schools.

Contact SET SEG today!
1-800-292-5421

Legislative Update

Proration Action Alert

Three weeks ago we sent out an alert urging members to email their lawmakers and tell them to act to prevent the pending proration to schools. The response has been strong, but many legislators, including key members of the appropriations and education policy committees have still not been contacted. Please communicate with your legislators about this. Access the alert and send an email by clicking here.

If you have already sent an email or want to take further steps to push for action, consider urging your board to pass a resolution in support of funding for education. A sample resolution that can be used as a template is available on the SOS website at www.SOSMichigan.org.

Online Professional Development Requirement

Section 101 of the School Aid budget is new this year and requires that at least 5 hours of professional development (PD) be completed online in order for schools to count all 38 hours as instructional time. This requirement DOES NOT apply to existing contracts.

The language in section 101 also requires that the training be provided either by Michigan Virtual University or a Department-approved intermediate district provider. MASA learned this week that the MDE has pre-approved all ISDs and RESAs as online PD providers. We are working to get written confirmation of this from the department and we will continue to keep you informed as this situation develops.

New Budget Transparency Requirements

As you are aware, new language in section 18 of the School Aid Act requires schools to post a laundry list of specific, budget related information on their websites in addition to a copy of the actual budget. MASA has been in contact with the MDE and we are both interpreting the language to say that this requirement does not take effect until next year’s budget (FY 2010-11). Please DO NOT post any information on your websites until the MDE establishes guidelines and a common form for this reporting. We will continue to keep you apprised of this issue as the MDE provides further direction.

If you have any additional questions or comments please contact us rkefgen@gomasa.org or bbiladeau@gomasa.org.

Thanks.

Bob and Brad

Brad Biladeau
Associate Executive Director Government Relations
Michigan Association of School Administrators
Office: (517)327-9265
Cell: (517)281-5733
Fax: (517)327-0779
bbiladeau@gomasa.org
Twitter: twitter.com/MASA_GOV

MASA Executive Board elections

Petitions due February 1 for officers to the MASA Executive Board

In accordance with the MASA Constitution, individuals interested in seeking election for the upcoming open seats on the Executive Board must file petitions in the MASA office on or before February 1 of each year.

For the spring election, we will have four positions on the ballot:

• President-elect, commencing July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
• Director 2010-2011—continuation of the Director term through June 30, 2011 (currently held by Mary Vratanina who was appointed to the seat due to the passing of Geoffrey Balkam).
• Director 2010-2013 (two seats)

To be placed on the ballot a candidate must designate the seat they are running for and file petitions signed by ten active members in good standing, from at least three different MASA regions, on or before February 1, 2010.

Petitions may be obtained by calling 517/327-9262 or emailing Kristy Warner at kwarner@gomasa.org.

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 Sleadership, 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

Order copies while they last for $75 by calling 517.327.5910 or email lwacyk@gomasa.org.

Nominate a program or practice for the MASA Winners’ Circle Award

It’s time to nominate an effective program or practice for the Winners' Circle Award.

With all the bad news surrounding school funding, now more than ever it’s important to highlight the progress schools are making, and to encourage the employees who do good things for students every day. If you know of a superintendent who has helped lead a program or practice that is resulting in student success, MASA wants to know about it.

Each year the MASA Membership Services Committee presents Winners' Circle awards to superintendents or their first-line assistants who have:

• Launched or adapted an effective program or practice
• Which has had a positive impact on their school districts
• That could be used in other districts across the state.

Nominees must be MASA members, but co-recipients (such as principals, teachers or staff) are welcome. Winners will be recognized in the MASA Leader, in local media, and at MASA’s Midwinter Conference. You can read about former winners at the MASA Winner’s Circle awards page at www.gomasa.org (click on Member Benefits/Awards).

Nominations are accepted at any time, but in order to be recognized at the 2009 conference, the MASA Membership Services Committee needs to hear from you by November 23, 2009

It’s quick and easy to nominate yourself or a colleague through an online nomination form.

Questions can be directed to Linda Wacyk at 517-327-9268 or lwacyk@gomasa.org.

Petitions due February 1 for officers to the MASA Executive Board

In accordance with the MASA Constitution, individuals interested in seeking election for the upcoming open seats on the Executive Board must file petitions in the MASA office on or before February 1 of each year.

For the spring election, we will have four positions on the ballot:

• President-elect, commencing July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.
• Director 2010-2011—continuation of the Director term through June 30, 2011 (currently held by Mary Vratanina who was appointed to the seat due to the passing of Geoffrey Balkam).
• Director 2010-2013 (two seats)

To be placed on the ballot a candidate must designate the seat they are running for and file petitions signed by ten active members in good standing, from at least three different MASA regions, on or before February 1, 2010.

Petitions may be obtained by calling 517/327-9262 or emailing Kristy Warner at kwarner@gomasa.org.

FCC proposes web-safety education rules

Schools and libraries receiving federal e-Rate funding would have to submit proof that they have implemented internet safety education programs along with their e-Rate applications, according to a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Nov. 5.

When the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act passed in Congress late last year, it included a provision requiring schools to educate their students about safe and appropriate online behavior (see "Schools soon required to teach web safety"), but lawmakers issued no immediate guidance to enforce that provision.

According to the FCC's notice, the public will have 30 days to comment on the proposed e-Rate changes, with an additional period for submitting responses to follow.

"The internet is an extremely important educational tool for students," said Robert McDowell, FCC commissioner, in a statement.

But because children use the internet so extensively both at home and at school, "it is imperative that they be educated regarding the dangers that they may encounter online. Schools can play a critical role in supplementing this education," he added.

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• Web Wise Kids

Source: eSchool News, 11-9-09

• Success with Algebra II Course/Credit Requirements
  Nov 2, 6, 13, 19
  Webinar
• School Improvement Framework Conference
  Dec 1-2
  The Lansing Center, Lansing
• Infectious Disease Conference
  Dec 9
  MSU University Club, East Lansing
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Symposium
  Jan 14-16, 2010
  Washington D.C.

Michigan Association of School Administrators
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Lansing, MI 48917
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