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From the Executive Director,
Erin Toninato:
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As we wrap up another school year, I found myself reflecting on many of the messages that have found their way into MIYM over the past several months.
During this past school year, we've talked about advocacy, leadership, staffing challenges, funding concerns, changing guidance, celebrations, relationships, and occasionally coffee. (Let's be honest—probably more than occasionally.)
But if I had to summarize this year in a few words, it would be this: progress happens because people keep showing up—for students, for families, for staff, and for one another.
Throughout the year, I have watched special education leaders across Minnesota continue to do what they do best. You solved problems that didn't have easy solutions. You navigated uncertainty. You advocated for students and supported colleagues. And through it all, you continued moving your districts forward.
The progress we've made—through advocacy efforts, professional learning, stronger partnerships, and the willingness to share ideas and support one another—has happened because of the collective commitment of this community.
As summer approaches, I hope you find opportunities to rest, recharge, spend time with the people who matter most, and celebrate the accomplishments of the year. The work we do is important, but so is stepping away long enough to remember what day of the week it is.
MIYM will continue to arrive in your inbox throughout the summer with important updates and reminders, but you may notice that I won't include a personal message every week. Like many of you, I'm hoping to spend at least a little less time in front of a screen and a little more time enjoying Minnesota's all-too-short summer.
Thank you for the conversations, collaboration, and partnership throughout the year. It continues to be one of the greatest privileges of my role to learn from you, advocate alongside you, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our state.
Have a wonderful summer. You've earned it.
As always...thanks for all you do!
Are you hoping to make time to read for pleasure this summer? Here are some of my latest (no leadership books included 😊):
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West with Giraffes, Lynda Rutledge
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Theo of Golden: A Novel, Allen Levi
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Horse, Geraldine Brooks
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Maame, Jessica George
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Facing the Mountain, An Inspiring Story of Japanese Patriots in World War II, Daniel James Brown
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The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, Anna Johnston
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How to Read a Book, Monica Wood
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Don’t Let a Missing Fee Pause Your Career!
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The school year is winding down, and BOSA want to make sure your license stays active. If your $100 annual BOSA fee for 2025–2026 is still outstanding, your license is at risk of suspension on July 15.
Why it matters: A suspended license legally prevents you from serving in your administrative role. To help you stay on track, a final reminder email will be sent on May 30 (with a copy to your Superintendent).
Important Dates:
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June 15: Deadline to pay and stay off the suspension list.
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June 22: The Board meets to formally approve suspensions for any unpaid fees.
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July 15: Official suspension date for unpaid administrators
Check this off your list today:
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The Fast Way: Pay online via the BOSA License Renewal Portal
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The Traditional Way: Mail a check to: BOSA Office, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Suite 306, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Call BOSA at 651-582-8888 or email Karen.Schaub@state.mn.us for any questions. Let’s get this resolved so you can enjoy your summer worry-free!
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MASE New Leaders Cohort, 2026-2027
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Join the MASE new Special Education Leaders Cohort and become part of a supportive community of leaders growing together. Build lasting personal and professional connections and learn from some of the most respected leaders in the state! Gain practical tools to help you navigate the many demands of special education leadership at both the local and state levels. Your learning will be enhanced by having a veteran mentor who will support you and learn alongside you.
The 2026–2027 cohort will be facilitated by Dr. Heidi M. Hahn, an experienced educational leader with more than 30 years in public education, including service as both a Director of Special Education and Superintendent. She previously co-facilitated the New Special Education Leaders Cohort for 10 years and served for more than a decade as adjunct faculty at St. Cloud State University, preparing special education directors, principals, and superintendents. Dr. Hahn is known for providing practical, relevant learning in a supportive environment with a good dose of humor to deepen the learning and create life-long connections.
Watch for registration information this summer!
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Reminder: Helpful Resources for Data Reporting
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Early Learning Services now has a Program Reporting Calendar, with deadlines for all early learning reports in one place. They also offer a list of key contacts to support your reporting needs.
Thank you for helping keep the data strong, timely, and coordinated!
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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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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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June 1 Deadline for Special Education SFY 2027 Application Materials and Eligibility for Program Approval Special Education
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The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet, is conducting a statewide survey to better understand Minnesota’s early care and education (ECE) workforce.
Can you help by sharing the ECE Workforce Survey with ECE professionals that you know? DYCF wants to hear from as many ECE professionals as possible so that the results reflect a full range of experiences in the field—your strong connections can help make that happen.
How to help
Please share the survey link with your contacts by email. Download a sample email and flyer now. To protect the survey from bots and ensure high-quality results, please do NOT post the link or flyer on public websites or social media.
About the survey
The survey asks ECE professionals about their experiences, the support they have, and what they need for the future. Results will help the State and its partners better support programs and people in the field. In the past, the results have informed efforts such as professional development opportunities, grant programs, and legislative proposals. This survey is being conducted by The Improve Group.
Who should take the survey?
Anyone working in Minnesota’s ECE field is encouraged to take the survey. This includes licensed family child care, licensed child care centers, tribally licensed child care, school-based early childhood programs (public, charter, VPK, ECFE, ECSE), Head Start, Early Head Start, Tribal ECFE, and license-exempt programs. Participants will receive a $10 gift card as a thank you.
If you have any questions or need additional materials, please reach out to Taryn Mortimer at tarynm@theimprovegroup.com.
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Early Childhood Education Outcomes Screening Report Now Open
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The Early Childhood Education Outcomes Screening Report is now open. Districts and schools should enter annual screening data by September 30. Find helpful resources and a link to the data entry page on the screening webpage under the reporting tab. If you are a district or charter school that screens and you would like a link to a recorded training webinar, please email Margaret.Chresand@state.mn.us.
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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
With MASE membership renewals in progress now, we strongly encourage you to keep or add a CEC/CASE Professional Basic Membership as part of your renewal! If the CEC/CASE membership is not included in your invoice, please contact Laurie Pumper at the MASE office to get your record updated; it’s a quick process. Less than half of our Active Members currently have opted in (or out) for CEC/CASE membership—let’s get our numbers up!
Myrna Mandlawitz will be moving away from her role with CASE. We will miss her dearly. If you would like to write a message to her, please do so here. CASE will share these with her in a manner yet to be determined, as they are still in the process of planning how to honor her contributions to the field.
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, June–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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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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Whole Child Classroom Management Workshops
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Struggling with student behavior that's creeping into learning time? Join MASE Member Till360 for this professional development workshop designed to help educators get ahead of it. Participants will explore research-based strategies for proactive classroom management, supporting students with mental health needs, reducing discipline disparities, and building school-wide systems that work for students, staff, and families. The course also addresses adult self-care and staff environment, because sustainable behavior support starts with educators, too. Attendees will leave with practical, immediately applicable tools to strengthen social-emotional outcomes and boost academic achievement. Six BOSA CEU or PELSB credit hours are available.
Watch the video invite from Curt Slater, CEO of Till360. Or register for one of the upcoming Whole Child Classroom Management workshops:
June 9: Twin Cities – Register here
June 10: Rochester – Register here
June 1: Sartell – Register here
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ECFE and School Readiness in Ed-Fi
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ECFE and School Readiness data is due to the Department of Education by the end of day on Wednesday, July 15. Join open office hours to get help with your reporting:
Save the date for MDE’s welcome and welcome back fall training:
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DCYF Invites You to Share Your Story
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Metro Surge
The Governor’s Office is inviting individuals and organizations across Minnesota to share stories about how the Federal Metro Surge has affected their communities. These stories help inform the Governor’s understanding of impacts experienced throughout the state.
Individuals, communities and partners are encouraged to submit their stories directly through the Governor’s Office contact form.
Early Childhood Screening
The state is collecting stories about family experiences with Early Childhood Screening. Stories will help staff learn how to improve access to screening for children and families across the state. Share a screening story.
Early Childhood Family Education
Did Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) make a difference in your life or for a family you know? Share an ECFE story
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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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