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March 2008 --
from MESPA President Richard Oscarson
Are you going to the NAESP convention in Nashville (Leadership and Learning for the Next Generation, April 4-8)? I am, but I’m the only principal out of the 12 elementary and middle level principals from my school district who is going. It isn’t due to lack of interest. It’s because the Lakeville School District had $7 million in budget reductions this school year. One of the cuts was to eliminate reimbursement for all out-of-state professional improvement conferences for all staff, including principals. I’m only able to attend the Nashville convention because MESPA pays the expenses for the state president.
My guess is that a number of you have had budget cuts and are looking at future budget cuts in your school districts. Out-of-state conferences might no longer be an option unless you pay for it yourself. That’s too bad as it takes away one more positive professional growth opportunity for principals.
We are living in a time of higher expectations for school accountability with fewer quality dollars available to schools. Minnesota K-12 budgets have to compete with dollars for health care, higher education, preschool education, social services, roads, and fixing bridges. It seems even more complicated at the federal level -- and recently the “R” word, recession, has entered into the vocabulary of respected economists. That “R” word seems to be fueling the fears of our elected representatives at the federal, state, and local levels.
During my mid-year principal evaluation in February, my superintendent shared feedback received from area legislators at a recent educational forum. Due to future budget forecasts for lower economic growth in Minnesota, schools shouldn’t expect new dollars this legislative session and most likely no new dollars on the formula for 2009-2011.
When I told my wife about future education lack of funding, she asked if I wanted to retire earlier than I’d planned. I told her, “No, my students and staff will need me now more than ever.” While I’m sure I will have future challenges and likely disappointments, I also believe I have what it takes to lead my school during the difficult times, as well as the good times. And I do believe good economic times will return.
The purpose of my article is to remind you that our MESPA organization will continue to be available to Minnesota principals during the good and difficult times with a variety of resources. I encourage you to stay informed, connected and positive. Stay informed by continuing to read the weekly E-News, and Roger’s Legislative Updates. Stay connected with colleagues by attending your division meetings and the professional development seminars offered by MESPA. And if you have a legal question or any other education-related question, call our Executive Director Fred Storti. Fred and his staff are there to serve and support you. Stay positive by believing in yourself. Always remember that you have what it takes or your school district wouldn’t have hired you in the first place.
I believe that our Minnesota students, teachers, and families will need a strong and positive principal leader more than ever over the next few years. As a student of history, I have observed that anyone can be a good leader during good times, but great leaders emerge during challenging times. From what I saw at our Institute in February, we have hundreds of great principal leaders. Are you one of them? MESPA is here to help you be the great leader your students need.
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