MASSP News Center

The Executive Budget presented by Governor Jennifer Granholm just last month may already be in trouble, but the problem at this point is not a repeat of last year’s budget impasse between the Executive Office and the Legislature. This time, as it was going into last year’s budget debacle, the issue is again money—or, […]

By Jim Ballard
Executive Director
It’s been an interesting week for MASSP in Lansing. Two of our legislative initiatives have received public support from some very important players.
Most immediate are our efforts to reform some areas of the Michigan Merit Examination. This is being written two days before many of you administer the Michigan Merit Exam […]

By Brad Banasik, Legal Counsel
Michigan Association of School Boards
As a safety measure, many school districts have installed video cameras in school buses, buildings and parking lots. The cameras provide administrators with an extra set of eyes to deter and watch for unacceptable or illegal conduct. Another benefit of video cameras is the strong […]

By Robert Ebersole, Assistant Legal Counsel
Michigan Association of School Boards
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, OH, has recently released an opinion, Brannum v Overton County School Board, ___F3d___, 2008 WL 441436, that concerns the use of surveillance cameras in a school setting. The decision clearly states that there are limits on the […]

This article from the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation explores the relationships, and often the conflicts, between school reform and teacher union contracts.
By Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Michael J. Petrilli

It’s no real surprise that, after years of lurking menacingly in the shadows, The Contract has emerged into the spotlight, indeed has leaped to […]

In July, high school students from throughout the state will attend a highly acclaimed camp that helps them develop their leadership potential. Unfortunately, many schools do not have the funds to help their students attend this life-enhancing camp. And, many eligible students cannot pay their own way.
For the second consecutive year, the SET SEG Educational […]

What Some See As The Goal of MI’s 21st Century Schools
There seems to be little support for Governor Granholm’s education initiative, MI’s 21st Century Schools. Click here for a summary of this initiative as first proposed. The way it’s developed, for many, there is not a lot to like.
Click here to view […]

Governor Granholm has proclaimed the week of February 10, 2008 as PRINCIPALS’ WEEK in Michigan. We at MASSP salute each and every administrator for all the hard work and dedication you display every day for the students of Michigan and the communities they represent. You all deserve a gold star for your efforts. Read […]

If you want to be involved in the association at the next level, have you considered running for office on the Board of Directors?
There are three different ways for you to be a member of the Board:
1st – Be a regional representative. Be the voice of your region. MASSP has 12 regions. […]

By Jim Ballard
MASSP Executive Director
This legislative process really has seasons. There are times when legislation is developed and sent to the floor for consideration, and times to “get’r done.” June and late December are the times when the pressure is on to “make it a law.” So, this is the time […]

From the Executive Director
Jim Ballard

The next ten weeks is the season for non-renewal for school administrator employment contracts. If your contract is at risk, please call us early in the process.
Please, don’t wait. More than once I’ve had members call asking for help and telling me that the Board meeting was scheduled that afternoon!
Please, […]

A divided House Education Committee—split by timing questions rather than concept—has reported legislation that would increase the dropout age to 18.
The measure, House Bill 4042, would require students currently in the 7th Grade to complete all graduation requirements or attain the age of 18 to leave school. The issue was a topic highlighted by […]

By Jim Ballard
MASSP Executive Director
December 27, 2007
Governor Granholm:
Thank you for the invitation to be a member of your high school advisory committee. Like you, the members of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals believe the economic future of our state rests on a well-trained and educated workforce. Like you, we […]

Legal Implications for Searching Student Cell Phones

By Lisa Swem
Attorney, Thrun Law Firm, P.C.

Most schools regulate student cell phone use. Students who violate cell phone rules may be subject to disciplinary consequences, including confiscation of the cell phone. May school officials lawfully “search” the confiscated cell phone to look at stored text messages, photographs, […]

*Personal Curriculum Update Webinar–Only a few seats left! November 13, 2007  3 - 4 PM Online
*Classroom Discipline–Establishing Respect and Responsibility–CLOSED. November 14, 2007  9 AM - 3 PM MELG Building, Lansing, MI
NEW Session Added by Popular Demand–REGISTER EARLY! February 19, 2008   9 AM - 3 PM MELG Building, Lansing, MI
*Performance […]

A MICHIGAN CLASSROOM IS GOING TO DIG FOR DINOSAURS in Thermopolis, Wyoming!
Yes, a week digging dinosaurs in Thermopolis, Wyoming at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center.
Go to www.paleojoe.com or www.MyFoxDetroit.com to enter–open for any Michigan school, grades 1-6…any teacher, any parent, any student can enter to win. The more entries, the better chance you have!
The contest […]

A new publication by the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN), School Crisis Guide: Help and Healing in a Time of Crisis, is being released to coincide with America’s Safe Schools Week and Bullying Prevention Week.
You are encouraged to use it in educating the public about comprehensive efforts in the nation’s public […]

Legal Hazards Of Monitoring Off-Campus Speech In The Internet Age
By Marshall W. Grate
A public school district must exercise caution in monitoring off-campus speech. In Layshock v Hermitage School District, (WD PA 2007), a public school district was held to have violated the First Amendment rights of a senior high school student when it issued a […]

from School Law Matters
California Judge Determines School Dress Code Is Too Strict


by Andre F. Mayes
Upholding the principle that students do not “shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate,” a California state court judge recently blocked a middle school from enforcing a strict dress code policy. Scott v Napa Valley Unified School District, No. 26-37082 […]

Kalamazoo Promise Goes Statewide

The chair of the House Education Committee wants to replicate the so-called Kalamazoo Promise by creating local promise committees and funding them in part with state education dollars.
Rep. Tim MELTON (D-Auburn Hills) looks at the highly successful guaranteed college tuition program for school kids in Kalamazoo and wants to do the same […]

Recent reports on the prevalence of MRSA, and recent unfortunate student deaths associated with MRSA have prompted much telephone activity and many questions regarding available data in Michigan. Additionally questions regarding available educational resources have been received.
Individual case reports of MRSA are not reportable in Michigan; therefore prevalence rates for either Healthcare Associated –MRSA […]

From Jim Ballard
MASSP Executive Director

MASSP is getting more phone calls from legislative staff and other association lobbyists regarding raising the compulsory school age to 18. In the past, when there is this much buzz, something is about to happen. My guess is that the move is about to be made to try to […]