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From the Operations Director,
Laurie Pumper:
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As Erin noted in her column last week, she is hosting a large family group starting today. So in place of her usual column, we’re sharing a few photos from a record-breaking Best Practices Conference. Watch for more photos on our social media channels in the next few days. We are delighted that so many of you (around 375 people) were able to join us at Madden’s for education, networking, and some fun.
Below: Phyllis Wolfram, CASE Executive Director, was our opening keynote presenter. While Special Education faces many challenges at the federal level, Phyllis shared that our voices make a difference.
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Below: Along with some great lessons about dealing with difficult people, closing keynote speaker Sherlonda Sharp provided lots of laughter.
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Below: We recognized Samantha Steinman with the MASE New Leader of the Year Award on Thursday evening. Congratulations, Sam!
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Below: The MNSELF bingo FUNdraiser brings the energy! Whenever someone won a game, everyone deployed their glowsticks, the music came on, and the winner chose from a variety of purses and other bags (including a Menards bucket with home repair items). Thanks to the MNSELF Board members for a memorable evening!
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We are taking a break from MIYM next week in advance of Memorial Day. We will be back on May 29!
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🎉 MNSELF Funding Is Available — Apply Today!
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Did you know that funds raised at MNSELF events go directly back to YOU? MNSELF is now accepting proposals through our Professional Development Funding RFP — and we want to see your boldest ideas. Think beyond the typical district PD cycle: use funding for AI training to strengthen IEP quality, a book study on A Principal's Guide to Special Education, executive coaching, data literacy intensives, or legal fluency workshops. If it builds your leadership skills, we want to support it. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and reimbursement is issued after your final report is approved. Visit the MNSELF Website to access the RFP and submit your proposal — your next breakthrough in leadership development could be one application away!
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MDE Special Education Directors’ Forum: Register Now
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Join MDE on Friday, June 5, for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Directors' Forum, a full-day event filled with essential learning, updates, and community gathering. A hybrid option is available for the morning session.
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Due Date Extended for Full-Service
Community School Strategy Grant
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Applications must be submitted electronically by May 28, 2026, no later than 5 p.m. Central Time. Applications, instructions, scoring, funding priority guidance, timelines, and further information can be found on the 2027 Full-Service Community School (FSCS) grant opportunity site.
The 2025 MN Legislature invested $10,000,000 for grants to schools to start-up or expand the full-service community school strategy under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.231. Grant funding will expand systemic supports for students, families, and communities across Minnesota. Grant amounts may range from $350,000 to $600,000 per site.
There were two competitive grant opportunities through this funding:
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$4.9M was available in FY26 for three-year implementation grants between March 1, 2026 (or later) and June 30, 2029. Grant Opportunity is Closed. Grant award offers are being negotiated.
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$4.9M is available in FY27 for three-year implementation grants between September 1 (or later), 2026 and June 30, 2030. Accepting applications now.
MDE is recruiting reviewers for the 2027 FSCS grant opportunities. For more information, please contact Jackie Blagsvedt (jacqueline.blagsvedt@state.mn.us), 651-582-8805.
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Recap: Legislative Update
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With adjournment coming on May 18, the legislature still had significant ground to cover as of May 11. The progress of budget negotiations remained undetermined across most areas, and while conference committees were beginning to meet on a few bills, much remained outstanding. How, and if, the remaining pieces come together by the end of the session is very much an open question.
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State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 Tuition Billing Final Calculation – Federal Funds Tuition Payments
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The final calculation for SFY 2025 state aids with tuition adjustments have been completed. The federal funds have been applied to the non-reimbursed costs. Resident districts that requested to use their federal finance 419 funds for tuition have been applied to the districts serving the resident districts’ students. The federal funds are anticipated to be paid to the serving district at about the same time the negative adjustments will be made in the Integrated Department of Education Aids System (IDEAS).
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Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Finance and Federal Funding
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Tuesday, June 16 | 12 p.m.
The topic for our next SLICE webinar is Finance and Federal Funding, with presenters Cherie Johnson and Robert Dehnert. 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
The MASE Professional Development Committee is working on plans for the 2026-27 SLICE schedule. Watch for details in the coming weeks!
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CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
Update: At the CASE Annual Membership meeting, a link was shared for the CASE Professional Learning Needs Assessment. While it is lengthy, please complete this survey to provide valuable feedback to CASE.
Registration for the Special Education Leadership Summit (SELS) is open. This event takes place July 19–22 in Washington, DC. MASE sends a group (executive director, CASE representative, president, and president-elect) to this event to learn and advocate on federal issues and their impact in Minnesota. We would love to have others join us! If you would like information regarding our travel plans, reach out to me at melissa.schaller@isd917.org and I will send you details. This event fills up quickly, so it is important to register early.
There are proposed changes to the SPP/APR - Parts B & C. More information will come from Myrna. Comments are due May 22. If you want to check them out, go to www.regulations.gov. For Part B, enter ED-2026-SCC-0661 and For Part C, enter ED-2026-SCC-0628.
CASE will host advocacy training for state units. This was developed under the leadership of our own Cherie Johnson. This is planned for June 18 at 4 p.m. More to come.
Also, please go the Action Center on the CASE website... Act Now. Act Again.
Keep these two issues on the forefront for legislators:
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Keep all education programs in the U.S. Department of Education; and
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Oppose privatization of education through any voucher mechanisms.
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Special Education Funding Training Webinars, May–July
Registration is open for several webinars. Presentation material and information on joining the webinar will be sent to registered participants the day before each training.
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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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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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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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