LegalEase February 2026 | Compliance Requirements Under Section 164k of the State School Aid Act
On October 7, 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the State School Aid Act (Public Act 15 of 2025) for the 2026 fiscal year, which includes Section 164k (MCL 388.1764k). On December 11, 2025, the Michigan Department of Education ("MDE”) released a memorandum providing additional clarification. Section 164k introduces several compliance obligations for school districts and intermediate school districts (“ISDs”) with significant consequences for failing to comply. If a violation is reported and confirmed by…
Legislature Passes New Law on Student Wireless Devices: What Principals Need to Know and How to Use It Well
HB 4141 and SB 495 have passed the Michigan Legislature and are awaiting Governor Whitmer's signature. Because she is expected to sign them, Michigan schools will begin the 2026–27 school year under a new law that requires local school boards to adopt policies restricting the use of wireless communications devices during instructional time and tweak their emergency operations plans to account for wireless devices. MASSP supported this legislation because it provides principals…
Supporting Student Mental Health Through High‑Quality Instructional Resources
Where students feel seen and teachers feel supported Written by MASSP Partner in Education, Cengage Across Michigan schools, student mental health continues to be one of the most pressing concerns for principals. Mental health challenges among youth are rising, “according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to one in six children ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year, but only 20% receive care…
Membership Matters | Support When It Matters Most
Every membership concierge session I’ve had reminds me of one simple truth: leadership is more rewarding when you’re connected and supported. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, looking for meaningful support for your school context, or thinking ahead to grow future leaders, MASSP has programs designed to meet you where you are. Below are a few real-world scenarios I’ve heard recently, plus resources and events tied to each. Scenario 1: The…
Don’t Get Penalized: New Survey Disclosure Rules Under the State School Aid Act
To avoid state aid penalties under a new section of Michigan law, school administrators must publicly share student survey questions and results, post them on the website, and notify parents/guardians of a survey, all while ensuring that posted survey results comply with student privacy laws. State School Aid Act Section 164k(d) Effective October 7, 2025, State School Aid Act (“SSAA”) section 164k(d), MCL 388.1764k(d), requires schools to: make student survey questions and…
A Restorative Framework to Address E-cigarette Use Within K-12 Students
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) Tobacco Section observes and recognizes the challenges that can arise when addressing youth vaping within K-12 schools. To address this significant public health concern, MDHHS utilizes data from various sources, including the Michigan Youth Tobacco Survey (MYTS), to assist schools and communities with sustainable strategies to assist in building restorative care. According to the MYTS, e-cigarettes are the common tobacco nicotine delivery system…
The Culture We Deserve: A January Reset on Trust and Leadership
January has a way of telling the truth about a school’s culture. The excitement and anticipation of a new school year has worn off. Daily routines are established. The stress points such as attendance, behavior, morale and communication have resurfaced. And in these moments, what becomes most visible isn’t the poster of our mission statement or strategic plan but the level of trust that exists within our organization. Every school has a…
Perfect Match for Inclusion: One Mentorship Sparked a Cross-School Celebration of Belonging
From a wide-open, carpeted gymnasium with a huge screen where dozens of students raced, cheered and played together – to a heated pool with every safety feature needed to ensure security for all involved, students from Highland Pines and Schall Elementary Schools engaged with their cross-school partners while their teachers observed and facilitated. This Inclusion Celebration was the vision of Stephanie VanPetten, Highland Pines School Assistant Principal and her staff. There to…
Alison Hildebrand, Academy Administrator & Associate Principal, Shares All About Stevenson MADE
Eleven years ago, Utica Community Schools sent a group of educators to visit the Academies of Nashville, a high school model partnered with Ford Next Generation Learning to provide career-focused academies. When teacher, Mark LaCombe, got off the bus immediately following a tour of one of the Nashville schools, he excitedly asked Associate Principal, Alison Hildebrand, “When are we doing this?!” Now, eight years into their work at the Stevenson Center for…
Inviting the Superintendent into Your School Community and Elevating Student Voice
As secondary principals, we often act as the primary liaison between the "District Office" and the daily life of our students. While our Superintendents are deeply invested in student success, the nature of their role—filled with board meetings, budget cycles, and policy—can sometimes make them feel like a distant figurehead to the average teenager. When students see a Superintendent as a person rather than a title, trust grows. When Superintendents hear directly…