Board of Directors Election Information

Membership on the MASSP Board of Directors is a professional experience that is both challenging and rewarding. It is an opportunity to serve education through a leadership role in Michigan’s largest building administrator organization. The effective presence of MASSP as a positive influence on Michigan’s secondary schools depends in large measure upon the guidance of a highly qualified, well-informed Board of Directors and professional staff.

Every professional member (or higher) of MASSP – principal or assistant principal – is eligible to become a candidate for membership on the Board of Directors regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status.

Members of the Board take justifiable pride in the leadership they provide to the diverse membership, as well as for the thousands of middle level and high school students. Board members must be aware of, and attuned to, the regional needs and concerns of Michigan; the variety of job responsibilities of individual members; rural, urban, and suburban education; minority considerations; and MASSP’s relationship with other professional organizations and our state government. 

The MASSP Board of Directors exists to help steer the direction of the Association. A prime requisite of candidates who wish to serve on the MASSP Board is a strong commitment to serve, as each term is three years in length.

It is necessary that the candidate’s Superintendent, Board of Education, other building administrators, faculty and family support the candidate through their term on the Board.

Board members are expected to be present at four meetings per year and also be in attendance at other events, specifically EdCon (all board members) and the AP & Dean Summit (board members in roles of assistant principals/deans).

Board Members are asked to give additional input when needed on legislative and policy issues, and write at least one article for an MASSP publication each year. 

Available Board Positions for 2027 Spring Elections are Noted with (*):

• President 
  State-wide representative who is the presiding officer at Board Meetings and is the official spokesperson and representative for the Board of Directors in partnership with the Executive Director
  
• *President-Elect
  State-wide representative on the Executive Board. Candidates must have previously served on the MASSP Board of Directors and after serving one year as President-Elect, will become President of the Board of Directors
  
• Past President
  State-wide representative, who the previous year served as President of the Board of Directors, and oversees the Executive Director’s evaluation
  
• *Region 1 Representative
  Represents: Entire Upper Peninsula
  
• Region 2 Representative
  Represents: Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco counties
  
• *Region 3 Representative
  Represents: Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent, and Ionia counties
  
• Region 4 Representative
  Represents: Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Isabella, Midland, Bay, Gratiot, Saginaw, Tuscola, and Huron counties
  
• *Region 5 Representative
  Represents: Sanilac, Lapeer, Genesee, and St. Clair counties
  
• Region 6 Representative
  Represents: Clinton, Shiawassee, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, and Jackson counties
  
• *Region 7 Representative
  Represents: Allegan, Barry, VanBuren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties
  
• Region 8 Representative
  Represents: Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties
  
• Region 9 Representative
  Represents: Macomb county
  
• Region 10 Representative
  Represents: Wayne county
  
• Region 11 Representative
  Represents: Oakland county
  
• Middle Level West Representative
  Represents Middle Level Members in Regions 3, and 7
  
• Middle Level Central Representative
  Represents Middle Level Members in Regions 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8
  
• *Middle Level East Representative
  Represents Middle Level Members in Regions 5, 9, 10, and 11
  
• Assistant Principal West Representative
  Represents Assistant Principal Members in Regions 3, and 7
  
• *Assistant Principal Central Representative
  Represents Assistant Principal Members in Regions 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8
  
• Assistant Principal East Representative
  Represents Assistant Principal Members in Regions 5, 9, 10, and 11
  
• *At-Large Representative (2 Appointed)
  State-wide representatives of under-represented members and raise awareness around diversity and inclusion
  
• CTE Representative (1 Appointed)
  State-wide representation of Career Technical Educations members
  
• *NASSP Coordinator
  Represents the state of Michigan at the National Association of Secondary School Principals and is the liaison between the two associations, must be a member of both MASSP and NASSP

For reference, please see MASSP Region Map.

All candidates must fill out the Candidate Submission Form* to apply and be placed on the ballot. Before accessing the form, please review the Candidate Information Sheet* regarding commitment, eligibility, requested information and be prepared to provide answers to the following questions. Each candidate’s response will be published on the ballot. Limited word count per question: 175 words or roughly 800 characters. 

• Experience: What is your current administrative position? How long have you served in that capacity? What was your path to obtain it?
• Performance: Tell us about any awards, accolades or important points of pride related to your career.
• Education: What post-secondary degrees have you obtained and from where? What additional continuing education have you received? Do you have a particular area of focus/expertise?
• Statement of Intent: Why are you seeking this position on the MASSP Board of Directors?
• Required Documents: Candidates must also supply a letter of support from their Superintendent, as well as a headshot (high quality – 300 dpi –  professional headshot or school photo) to be included on the ballot. 

**President-Elect candidates must have previously served on the Board of Directors and must obtain petition signatures from 20 eligible voting members, in addition to completing the candidate submission form noted above. Please email maggie@massp.com for additional information regarding the petition form. 

**NASSP Coordinate candidates must have previously served on the Board of Directors, in addition to completing the candidate submission form noted above.

Electronic ballots are typically made available to MASSP members during a two- to three-week voting window. 2027 Voting Period: Monday, March 22 through Friday, April 9 at 3 PM.

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*Updated form and information sheet for 2027 election will be made available in January 2027. Link to 2026 Candidate Information sheet can be found here.

Considering running for a Board of Directors position? Please use the forms below and note the important deadlines related to this year’s election process. 

2026 One-Page Info Flyer (2027 Flyer will be made available in January 2027)

Candidate Submission Form due on March 5 by 3 PM (link to form will be made available January 2027)
If a Candidate is running for President-Elect, their petition signatures are also due by this date and time.

Meet the Candidates on the 2027 Election Ballot (Link Forthcoming)

Electronic Ballots will be distributed Monday, March 22 through Friday, April 9 at 3 PM.
MASSP eligible voting members (Professional, Professional Plus & Executive) will receive ballots for the open seats that represent them on the Board; not all members will receive a ballot.

NOTE: Newly elected board members are expected to attend:

• New Board Member Virtual Training via Zoom held on Thursday, April 29, 2027 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
• EdCon2027 on June 28-30, 2027 at Grand Traverse Resort. We recommend registering for EdCon27 and booking your hotel if you plan to run for the Board of Directors. Please note we have a board meeting at GTR on June 27.

Questions?
Please contact Maggie Helmer at maggie@massp.com 

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Information updated in December/January. Candidate Submission Forms typically due early March. Electronic ballots typically sent to eligible voting members late March/early April for a two week voting period – extended by one week as it falls over Spring Breaks. 

2027 Election 

• President-Elect
• Region 1 Representative
• Region 3 Representative
• Region 5 Representative
• Region 7 Representative
• Assistant Principal Representative – Central
• Middle Level Representative – East
• NASSP Coordinator
• At-Large Representative (Appointment)

(Next Election for these seats will be in 2030)

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2028 Election 

• President-Elect
• Region 2 Representative
• Region 4 Representative
• Region 6 Representative
• Region 10 Representative
• Assistant Principal Representative – West
• Middle Level Representative – West
• CTE Representative (Appointment)

(Next Election for these seats will be in 2031)

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2029 Election 

• President-Elect
• Region 8 Representative
• Region 9 Representative
• Region 11 Representative
• Assistant Principal Representative – East
• Middle Level Representative – Central
• At-Large Representative (Appointment)

(Next Election for these seats will be in 2032)