LegalEase October 2025 | Facility Dogs– They’re Not Service Dogs, But They Still Provide A Service
With the temperature dropping and the sunlight waning, there is perhaps no better time than the present to consider the addition of four legged friends in the educational environment. While it seems everyone has experience with service animals, more and more school districts are welcoming a different type of trained dog—facility dogs—to their campuses. Service Animals The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides that a service animal is a dog or miniature…
A Principal’s Guide to Understanding Michigan’s School Aid Fund
Michigan school leaders are often asked the same tough questions:“Where does all the lottery money go?”“Why does record funding not always mean more money for schools?”MASSP’s recent webinar, A Principal’s Guide to Understanding and Explaining the Raid on School Aid, unpacked these issues in practical terms. Presented by Bob Kefgen (MASSP) and Jennifer Smith (MASB), this session helped administrators gain a clearer picture of how Michigan’s school finance system actually works—and why…
O.L. Smith Leaders Capture MI 2026 Middle School Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year Honors
History was made with a double surprise announcement when the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals recognized two outstanding administrators at O.L. Smith Middle School in Dearborn. Mark Rummel captured Middle School Principal of the Year and Maha Fayad won Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year in front of their colleagues, friends and families. “We’ve never had the principal and assistant principal from the same school win this recognition in a…
Mason Leader Named Michigan 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year
Tara Becker-Utess, Mason High School Assistant Principal, was surprised by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies and her district during a staff meeting to announce she was selected as the award recipient for Michigan’s 2026 High School Assistant Principal of the Year. “As a member of the second cohort of Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows, Tara demonstrates what strong Assistant…
Region 10 Shows Us the Power of Principal-Lawmaker Partnerships: Here’s How to Start Yours
On a vibrant fall morning in Dearborn, school leaders from across Region 10 gathered at Edsel Ford High School for a dynamic and solutions-focused MASSP regional meeting. The event was hosted by principal Rima Hassan and organized in partnership with Region 10 Representative Jay Vesperman, Woodhaven High School Principal, and MASSP At-Large Board Member Nicole Rabac, Woodworth Middle School Principal. The day’s agenda reflected the priorities of today’s school leaders, with collaborative…
Leadership in Motion | Intent vs. Behavior: Closing the Leadership Credibility Gap
Navigating Change, Shaping Culture and Driving Impact Opening Reflection Last month, we explored how trust multiplies speed, how it lowers friction and accelerates progress in every corner of a school. But speed without credibility doesn’t last. Stephen M. R. Covey writes, “We judge ourselves by our intent, but others judge us by our behavior.” That line stopped me in my tracks because it perfectly captures the leadership tension every principal faces. We…
Federal Shutdown to Disrupt Food Assistance Beginning Nov. 3
By Colin Ripmaster, Deputy Executive Director and Bob Kefgen, Associate Director of Government Relations As the federal government shutdown enters its fifth week, the USDA has instructed all states, including Michigan, to pause the issuance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting November 1. SNAP helps nearly 1.4 million Michiganders, including about 492,000 children, put food on the table each month. In Michigan, benefits are automatically issued directly to recipients' EBT…
Refreshing Roles: Re-Evaluating Responsibilities to Re-Energize Your Team
Every so often, it is worth hitting “refresh,” not just on your inbox, but on the roles and responsibilities of those you work alongside every day. As principals, we know how easy it is for duties to expand, overlap and evolve without much reflection. Taking time to intentionally evaluate who does what and why can boost empowerment, reduce burnout, and bring renewed energy to your leadership team. Step 1: Pause and Reflect…
QUICK TIPS November 2025 | Time to Check In and Show Gratitude
November brings cooler days and the wrap-up of the first quarter. It’s a season that often brings the very real fatigue of fall, but also a chance to pause in gratitude for the hard work of staff, the growth of students, and the support of families. With a holiday break on the horizon, this month’s checklist will help you stay focused by keeping up with teacher observations and feedback, reviewing student progress…
Beyond the Desk: A Strategic Approach to Showing Up – Why Principals Belong on Field Trips
In the bustling world of education, it's easy for a school principal to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of managing a building. Schedules, budgets, discipline—the list goes on. But what if one of the most impactful things a principal could do has nothing to do with a spreadsheet or a meeting? What if it's as simple as getting on a school bus? The image of a principal on a field…