The media are key partners in communicating to our communities and can play a large role in shaping public opinion about our schools. MASB’s Media Honor Roll recognizes media representatives who deserve recognition for fair and balanced reporting about our public schools.

Northview Public Schools President Tim Detwiler was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). Tim will serve as the regional representative for school board members in Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Ottawa counties and will help shape the direction of the Association.

Hale Area Schools Trustee Mark McKulsky was selected to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). Mark will serve as the regional representative for school board members in Region 2 (northern lower peninsula) and will help shape the direction of the Association.

The media are key partners in communicating to our communities and can play a large role in shaping public opinion about our schools. MASB’s Media Honor Roll recognizes media representatives who deserve recognition for fair and balanced reporting about our public schools. Click here for a list of 2011 Media Honor Roll Nominees. Thanks to all the districts that nominated media this year.
 

This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and across the state and nation teachers are being recognized for the positive contributions they make in our communities and for the important role they play in shaping the future for our youth. The membership and staff of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) would like to extend our thanks to the teachers of Michigan for making a difference in the lives of children every day.

Many of us are still trying to get over the shock of Gov. Snyder’s recent budget proposal and the devastating impact it will have on school districts. We knew there would be sacrifices from all sectors of the state, but we didn’t expect such a disinvestment in public education. Snyder is proposing in his 2011-12 budget a $300 per pupil cut on top of the current $170 cut. Adding to the damage is an expected increase in retirement costs that could equate to an additional $230 per pupil. Add the numbers together and districts could be facing a $700 per pupil reduction.

Southfield Public Schools President Darryle Buchanan was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). Darryle will serve as the regional representative for school board members in districts with 5,001-11,000 students and will help shape the direction of the Association. In September, Darryle’s position will be up for general election.

January 2011 is School Board Recognition Month and a way to recognize the invaluable contributions local and ISD school board members make to their schools and communities. While honoring our volunteer elected officials should be a year-round process, the month of January gives us a unique opportunity to thank the more than 4,000 school board members who commit countless hours to improving education in our state.

The Belding Area Schools Board of Education has met the rigorous requirements to be named to the distinguished list of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Board Visionary Leadership Award winners. By design, it’s extremely difficult for boards to even qualify to apply for the award, let alone actually win.

School board members from across Michigan earned awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) for their efforts to improve their leadership skills and become more effective school leaders, demonstrating their commitment to student achievement and their own continuous improvement.

For a list of board members from your county, contact Sarah Ford, 517.327.5907.

Schools are being held hostage to the outrageous antics and games with the school budget. Yesterday the state treasurer sent a memo to Gov. Granholm indicating that the predicted shortfall in the School Aid Fund (SAF) was much larger than expected. According to the memo, Treasury now estimates that the shortfall will be approximately $264 million for fiscal year 2009-10.

MASB and the school board members we represent, are outraged at the severe cuts to public education. School districts got a rude shove toward the edge of a funding cliff yesterday when the House and Senate Conference Committee on K-12 Appropriations voted for a $218 per pupil reduction in state funding for the current year. House Bill 4447 represents disproportionate cuts in education.

The Michigan Association of School Boards and Michigan Association of School Administrators stand united to applaud Speaker Andy Dillon for his bold leadership in starting the conversations on the need for reform in the health care system for public sector employees. Moving all public employees, including school employees and legislators, to a statewide health insurance pool will result in savings of at least $900 million per year.

Across the state and nation this week teachers are being recognized for their hard work and commitment to educating our youth.

The Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) will hold its annual urban conference devoted to helping urban school districts close the achievement gap. The Urban Project: Using Data to Close the Achievement Gap, will help under-resourced school districts learn what it takes to achieve the academic performance required by state and national educational standards and mandates.

MASB recently revealed its redesigned Web site. For the past several months, MASB has been working with Lansing-based i2Integration to develop a user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing Web presence that's conducive to its member needs.

The MASB Board of Directors has named Kathy Hayes as executive director of the association. 

MASB named nine school districts as the 2008 Michigan's Best Award winners.