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PURPOSE
MASE strives to:
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Offer information that is concise, consistent and predictable to support the work you do in your communities
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Streamline our communications and reduce the number of messages in your mailbox
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A message from Erin Toninato,
MASE Executive Director:
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 Wrapping Up a Successful Conference
Thank you to the MASE staff and to those of you who attended the MASE Fall Leadership Conference — what a GREAT few days it has been! Spending time with the best group of leaders in the state, observing the close connections you have, and seeing you all support each other is a demonstration of the power of MASE.
Enjoy your weekend and as always...thanks for all you do!
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✨ Sharing a Glimmer ✨
“I have many micro moments of joy on the job, thankfully. If I didn't, I would likely be doing something else. Above all else, my work needs to give me meaning, AND life is too short not to feel joy. My glimmer today — my micro moment of great joy — came quite simply. I have a new team of special education teachers/case managers. It was before school, and they were all greeting students in the hallway. What brought me great joy was the camaraderie among them already. They have become a genuine team in a very short period. We're happy and ready to serve our students. Be still my heart.”
From Jillynne Raymond, Math & Science Academy
✨ Bonus Glimmer ✨
It was such a treat to share the fun of bingo at the Fall Leadership Conference! Watch for more photos on social media and in next week’s newsletter. And share your photos with us!
Share your own “MASE Moments of Awe.” These are the stories—the glimmers—that highlight the beauty and importance of what we do.
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NEW
Supporting Minnesota’s Students with Disabilities Through Federal Transitions
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A message from Sonia Smith, MDE Director of Special Education
I’m reaching out as a follow-up to a recent message sent to all Superintendents and Charter Directors from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Please see the message titled Tracking Federal Investments in Your Community (included below) for additional context.\
As the State Director of Special Education, I want to also take a moment to specifically address recent federal reductions in force (RIFs) within the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
The MDE Division of Special Education recognizes the uncertainty these developments may create for both state and local leaders. We want to acknowledge the concerns that accompany national-level changes, while also offering clarity and reassurance regarding Minnesota’s commitment and ongoing responsibilities to children and youth with disabilities.
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Load of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026 Estimated Allocations
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To: Directors of Special Education, School Business Managers, SEDRA Contacts
From: Division of School Finance, Special Education Funding
This is to notify you the SFY 2026 allocations have been loaded into the Minnesota Education Grant System (MEGS) for the Finance Codes (FIN) listed below. Keep in mind these allocations are estimated allocations. Final allocations will be calculated and loaded into MEGS in March 2026, based on current year’s child count information. Do not draw all of your funds before the final allocations are loaded into MEGS. Allocations can decrease, therefore causing overpayments that will need to be recovered by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
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ONGOING
MASE Membership Renewals
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Thanks to all who have renewed already. Important: If you are part of a district with a central billing office, we need to have your billing contact in our system so that they receive notifications if you have chosen the invoice option for your membership (or for conference and event registration).
Also, if you want to sign up for a CEC/CASE membership and it doesn’t already appear on your invoice, please contact Laurie Pumper at laurie.pumper@mnase.org. It’s an easy fix. We are also working through some issues with CEC regarding memberships.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out; staff are all happy to assist!
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Minnesota Setting IV Program Leaders
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Attention Setting IV Leaders: We are continuing to meet quarterly (and virtually!) as a statewide group this year. The MN Setting IV Program Leaders meeting provides an opportunity for leaders from federal Setting IV programs across the state to convene, ask questions, discuss topics of interest, and share resources, ideas, and strategies.
If you or someone you know would like to be added to the meeting invitations for this year, please reach out to Kate Hulse at kate.hulse@isd917.org.
The remaining 2025-26 meeting schedule is as follows: Dec. 4, Feb. 5, 2026, and April 9, 2026, from 8:30–10:00 a.m.
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The first SLICE session is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, on the topic of Data Collection. Watch for additional details soon! View a full list of dates for the 2025-26 year.
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NEW
Help MASE Recognize Outstanding Members
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Each year, MASE provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding members who are dedicated leaders and advocates for children and education communities across the state. We encourage you to consider nominating yourself or a colleague for recognition. Nominate someone who reflects the qualities of a leader committed to education and who is an exemplary representative of MASE. Please remember that anyone can nominate for MASE awards. Please feel free to share award nomination information with your staff and community. Information about each of the awards is linked below:
MASE Award candidates may be self-nominated or nominated by someone else.
Access the award nomination form here.
Nomination deadline is November 28, 2025.
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Advanced Placement (AP) Summit Hosted at MDE—Nov. 6
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Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), in collaboration with the College Board and the Minnesota AP Advisory Council, is hosting a full-day summit to advance access and success in the Advanced Placement (AP) program. Participants will attend breakout sessions on different topics and share ideas with other schools via presentations, a panel, and networking. Districts are encouraged to bring a team, if possible. Intended audience includes superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of curriculum/teaching and learning, principals, assistant principals, school counselors, AP coordinators or AP teachers.
Visit the MDE Calendar to register for this free in-person event. If you have questions, please contact mde.postsecondary@state.mn.us.
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Register for MASE Finance Academy
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The MASE Finance Academy is geared to current and new Directors of Special Education!
Our all-day in-person sessions will provide an overview and deep dive into special education finance. It will include timely reporting, state and federal aid, tuition billing, third party billing, and much, much more.
Our virtual sessions will consist of "just in time" information. In October, the session will focus on setting up time and effort, aligning it to codes in SEDRA, and ensuring you maximize your tuition billing based on coding.
The Finance Academy kicks off with a virtual session on Oct. 28. The first in-person session is scheduled for Nov. 10 in Bemidji.
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Register Now for the CASE Conference
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The CASE Conference in Oklahoma City is right around the corner—November 5-7 in Oklahoma City to celebrate 50 years of the IDEA. CASE puts on a great conference and it is well worth your time to attend. If you are interested, you can find registration and hotel information on the CASE website. Many people attended the conference last year and we would love to have another big group from Minnesota in OKC!
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Although we have provided the names of those who signed up for committees to the respective committee chairs, you are still welcome to sign up for committees for the 2025-26 year! Go to the Member Compass and click on the Profile tab on the left side of the screen.
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NEW
MASE Annual Meeting | November 19
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Watch for more information soon — save the date!
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ONGOING
Resources to Prepare for Title II of the ADA
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CASE/CEC Open Resources:
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Helpful Links
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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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