I am so proud to be an educator. We are the perfect example of what it means to be resilient and adaptable. Last year in Michigan we were hit by a seemingly insurmountable task – evaluating all teachers in the building every year with a complex evaluation system. Due to the hard work and collaboration of principals and teachers, we are making that challenge become a reality. Examples like this can be found frequently in our profession, especially in recent years.

I spent the last three days at the annual conference for all of the NAESSP and NASSP Executive Directors…the two weeks prior to leaving all I could think about was how much I did not want to go. I kept thinking about all of the things on my plate and how much I just wanted to finish the projects I’m currently working on. I actually even considered canceling at the last minute, but I am so glad I went.

After a roller coaster session on Thursday, in which the MPSERS reform bill was heavily amended from its committee passed version, the Senate narrowly managed to move SB 1040 over to the House. The House is already slated to take the bill up first thing next week.

As a member of the MHSAA Representative Council and a fellow Principal, I want to urge all MASSP Members to vote for an amendment to the MHSAA Constitution so that the MHSAA Executive committee may waive the maximum age rule for athletic participation in specific and limited cases for students with disabilities. While an absolute rule has served us well, we believe the carefully worded proposal you have received from the MHSAA is a positive solution to a complex problem.

Personal Property Tax repeal was the big story for last week, but a deal that has been cut on the MPSERS reform bill and upcoming Tuesday hearing on the compromise language may be the bigger headline for most school employees. As reported by MASSP last week, the revised bill drops both the age 60 requirement for receiving retiree health coverage and retroactive application of graded health care subsidies.