Deliberately Leading Through the Disruption of Change
Tony Chatman

Changes comes fast and disruption comes out of nowhere. It rattles us to our very foundations. It makes us wish that it would just go away and we could get back to what we know.  The problem is that the good ol' days are gone.  Join us to learn (1) how to turn the resistance of people stuck in their comfort zone into enthusiastic buy-in and (2) how to transform change and disruption into greater innovation, higher efficiency, and better customer experience.

BREAKOUTS

The 199 Way, A Community Commitment
Michele Carroll, Inver Grove Heights ISD 199 & CESO
Teacher turnover is a critical issue in school districts across the state, characterized by the frequent departure of educators from their roles, either to other districts or entirely out of the teaching profession. High turnover rates disrupt student learning, strain school resources, and increase recruitment and training costs. This presentation will explore what Inver Grove Heights School District has done over the course of the past eight years to create a culture of trust, compassion, and support to improve teacher retention, motivation, engagement, and enjoy work.

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Beyond Borders: Attracting and Hiring Educators Worldwide
Liz Windingstad, Willmar Public Schools
Kristin Dehmer, Ed.D., Moorhead Area Schools

In today’s challenging hiring environment, school districts increasingly struggle to find qualified applicants to fill teaching vacancies. This presentation explores an innovative solution: leveraging J1 and H1B Visa programs to attract and hire educators from around the world. Drawing on real-world examples and experiences, attendees will gain insights into the process, from costing and timelines to supporting international hires with benefits, housing, and cultural acclimation.

Participants will learn practical strategies for integrating international teachers into their schools successfully while addressing the challenges that come with this approach. Whether you're considering this option for the first time or looking to refine your current process, this session provides valuable tools to enhance your district's recruitment strategy.

Puppy Pause

In a room full of chatter, of laughter, and paws,
We invite you to join us for the "Puppy Pause."
When the sessions grow heavy, your brain starts to stew,
Take a break, meet some puppies, and maybe folks too!

Managing Employee Morale: Help Staff Feel Seen, Valued & Heard

Jeff Bergholtz and Dr. Rob Lang, District 99 - Downers Grove, IL

Join us as we share our journey through HR challenges, their impact on staff morale, and the strategies we’ve adopted to address them. We'll discuss targeted approaches for specific groups, organization-wide initiatives, and how these efforts support employee recruitment and retention. Gain insights from our experiences and leave with practical ideas to boost staff morale—or at the very least, the comfort of knowing you're not alone in facing these issues.

Top Ten Emerging and Recurring Legal Issues for School Personnel Administrators
John Edison, Shareholder, Squires, Waldspurger & Mace, P.A.
Mick Waldspurger, Shareholder, Squires, Waldspurger & Mace, P.A.

Hot off the presses and MASPA Listserv, join Mick and John for an entertaining and informative presentation on the top issues on the mind of Minnesota School Personnel Administrators, including but not limited to:

• How to respond to requests for investigation notes and what to do when a data breach occurs.
• What factors should schools consider when creating a sick leave bank.
• How to avoid mistakes when terminating a probationary teacher mid-year and non-renewing a coach.
• When and how may school administrators question the use of ESST?

Register today to hear the rest!

Presentations eligible for credit from BOSA and MCLE.