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From the Executive Director,
Erin Toninato:
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 Holdin’ Out for Spring
Happy Friday to you all.
Keeping it simple this week...
As we head into the weekend, I hope you’re able to find a little time to rest and reset. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, I hope there’s something in the days ahead that brings you a sense of renewal—maybe even a small sign of spring finally settling in!
Take good care of yourself—you've earned it.
Wishing you a great weekend.
As always, thanks for all you do...
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✨ Share a Glimmer ✨
Share your “MASE Moments of Awe.” These are the stories—the glimmers—that highlight the beauty and importance of what we do.
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MDE Special Education Fiscal Monitoring Office Hours
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The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Fiscal Monitoring Team will hold several office hours through the 2025-2026 school year. These are opportunities to ask questions about special education fiscal compliance topics.
These office hours are for special education directors, business managers, and related special education and business staff who are responsible for compliance, procedures, or submitting documentation to MDE during special education fiscal monitoring. Please share this announcement with applicable staff.
The final session of the 2025-26 school year is on:
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 11 a.m.-noon Office Hours
Email SPED Fiscal Monitoring Team with questions.
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MDE Load of State Fiscal Year 2026 Final Federal Allocations
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The SFY 2026 final allocations have been loaded into the Minnesota Education Grant System (MEGS) for the following Finance Codes (FIN):
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FIN 419 Part B Section 611, Ages 3-21 – CFDA# 84.027A
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FIN 420 Part B Section 619 Preschool Incentive, Ages 3-5 – CFDA #84.173A
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FIN 425 Part B Section 611 Voluntary Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) – CFDA# 84.027A
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FIN 429 Part B Section 611 Mandatory CEIS – CFDA# 84.027A
SFY 2026 final allocations can be viewed in MEGS under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B and Part C formula grant tile and the Voluntary CEIS FIN 425 and Mandatory CEIS FIN 429 grant application tiles. Click View Grant Application, then the Allocations tab to find the allocations. You might need to check the Show Most Current Data box to view the final allocations.
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The MASE office has sent emails to our Active and MASA+MASE Joint Active members with a link to our ballot for President-Elect and Secretary. If you hold one of these voting memberships but did not receive an email, please notify laurie.pumper@mnase.org. Voting ends at 6 p.m. CDT on Monday, April 13, and we will announce the results by the end of this month.
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Recap: Legislative Update
MASE Lobbyist Valerie Dosland provides regular updates to members about what’s happening at the State Capitol. We typically send these emails on Monday during the Legislative Session (but there will not be an update on April 6 due to the legislature’s break for Passover/Easter). We also share this information in blog posts on the MASE website. Here are highlights from earlier this week:
Last week marked the first and second committee deadlines at the Minnesota Legislature, with committees working to advance bills before March 27. To advance, bills needed to clear a committee in their house of origin, and companion bills had to clear all relevant committees in the other chamber. It was a busy week as committees worked to move legislation across the finish line before the deadline.
The Legislature is now in Easter/Passover break, with legislative activity resuming on Tuesday, April 7.
The Senate Education Policy Committee debated and approved its Omnibus Education Policy bill. Though shorter than previous omnibus bills, it includes a few key provisions of interest to MASE.
The House Education Policy Committee did not advance an Omnibus Education Policy Bill due to the challenges posed by the chamber's tied makeup. The committee advanced only two standalone bills to the House floor.
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MDE Special Education Updates, April 3 | Read More
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MDE Website Unavailable the Morning of April 9
The MDE website will be down for maintenance the morning of April 9. The website will be unavailable during this time.
Reporting and data applications, such as SLEDS and the Report Card, will still be available. Please bookmark links to these applications so that you’re still able to access them.
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CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
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Look for information, including how to register, in the CASE Member Update regarding the CASE Annual Membership Meeting. This is scheduled for Friday, May 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
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If you are attending the CASE Academy of Law and Leadership, April 21-23 in Atlanta, Georgia, don't forget to sign up for CASE Night on Wednesday, April 22.
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MASE BIPOC Special Education Leaders Affinity Space
April 22 | MASE Headquarters Building, St. Louis Park
Directors of Special Education, Coordinators, Special Education Supervisors, Central Office Leaders, Aspiring Special Education Leaders, and others who identify as a leader of color in Special Education: You are invited to join other Special Education leaders of color from across Minnesota! The MASE Equity Committee invites you to join us on April 22 to build relationships, share leadership experiences, name the realities of leading while navigating systems, and identify the supports you want us to create.
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Are You Ready for BINGO?! Last Chance to Order a Shirt!
MNSELF is bringing some extra fun to this year’s MASE Best Practices Conference. For the first time, all MASE members can purchase a custom MNSELF Bingo shirt or sweatshirt to wear during the Bingo event. It’s a great way to join the energy, show your team spirit, and connect with colleagues.
Ordering is simple:
Visit Rambow at www.rambow.com and enter the form code: MNSELF
🗓 Store closes: Sunday, April 5, 2026
📦 Pick-up: Your order will be ready for you at the conference
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the fun—grab your gear and get ready to play!
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2026 Special Education Law & Leadership Conference
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Tuesday, April 14 | 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center
Registration is open for the annual Special Education Law & Leadership Conference presented by Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. The day includes keynote presentations from Marisa Franco, Ph.D., and Anne Gearity, Ph.D., as well as 12 breakout topics.
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One More Week for Early Registration Rates for MASE Best Practices Conference!
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Our breakout session information has now been added to the website. Nearly 270 people have already registered to attend our conference—sign up now to join us! Keynotes Phyllis Wolfram (CASE Executive Director) and Sherlonda Sharp (speaker, consultant, and comedian) are sure to share insightful and impactful presentations. We have confirmed our breakout speakers and topics, and plan to have that information available on our website soon.
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Our sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are also going quickly! All exhibit space has been sold. Many other great options for visibility remain—including Mobile App Sponsorship, Keynote Sponsorships, Lunch Sponsorships, and Coffee Break Sponsorships!
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Download the 2026 MASE Legislative Platform
 The MASE Legislative Committee, working with lobbyist Valerie Dosland, has created our Legislative Platform for this session of the Minnesota Legislature. With many important issues facing Special Education this year, read the platform so you’re aware of the issues our team will focus on. Key focus areas are fair and sustainable funding (including repeal of the $250 million cut to special education cross-subsidy aid), and flexible and supportive policy—especially pertaining to special educator recruitment and retention as well as safe and secure school environments.
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MDE Special Education Funding Training Webinars,
March–April 2026
Registration is open for three webinars in March and April. To register, simply click on the training date and follow the instructions. Presentation material and information on joining the webinar will be sent to registered participants the day before each training.
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Members, Tell Us about Yourself
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We are bringing back the MASE Member Spotlights! We have some new questions and we’re hoping to hear from some of our members. We will feature Member Spotlights in this newsletter and in our social media posts so that members get to know more about one another. Thanks to those who have already responded!
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Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Meaningful Work Experiences in Post-Secondary Transition Programming
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Tuesday, April 7 | 12 p.m.
The topic for our next SLICE webinar is Meaningful Work Experiences in Post-Secondary Transition Programming, with presenters from Area G. Join us at Noon for informal conversations with your colleagues from across the state. These sessions are open to members only. You'll receive the link to join in your confirmation e-mail.
Reminder: You must login to our website to see the registration button for this event.
You can register for additional SLICE sessions on the MASE website—check our Calendar.
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Welcome, Silver Business Partner!
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CEC 2026 Virtual Convention
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April 8–July 9
Each year, over a thousand special education professionals from around the world access our amazing virtual convention content to learn, share, and grow. With 40+ on-demand (and a few live) sessions, CEC’s virtual convention is THE best way to get professional development for special educators on research, tips, and strategies you can actually apply to support students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.
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Click the button above to submit your news and/or job openings! Also, please whitelist info@mnase.org and laurie.pumper@mnase.org to ensure that you receive your newsletter without interruption.
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