Mandated Reporters Reminder: Reporting of Suspected Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Explained
Michigan law requires certain school personnel to immediately report suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult. Mandated reporters should be aware of their reporting responsibilities to avoid civil or criminal liability for failing to report suspected abuse or neglect. Child Protection Law The Michigan Child Protection Law, MCL 722.621 et seq., requires certain persons (commonly referred to as “mandated reporters”) to report sus¬pected child abuse or neglect. Although many…
Regulation is Outpaced with Emerging Nicotine Innovations and Exposing Youth to Increased Public Health Risks.
Commercial tobacco companies[i] continue to transform their products, allowing them to evade regulation and policies. Circumventing regulation increases allurement to new and emerging tobacco products among youth, leading to addiction, adverse health effects, and rising public health concerns. Since 2007, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)/e-cigarettes have nearly tripled in nicotine strength (6% or greater), dropped in price by 70%, and have increased e-liquid compacity by twenty-nine times.[1] Historically, there has been low…
May CREC 2026: Stable Balances, Shrinking Buying Power, Falling Enrollment
Michigan’s May 2026 Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) produced a school finance outlook that depends heavily on how you read the numbers. Viewed from the balance sheet, things look fairly stable. The School Aid Fund (SAF) continues to grow modestly and is projected to reach nearly $19.65 billion in FY 2026-27. Revenue estimates also came in slightly above January projections for both the School Aid Fund and General Fund. But two other…
Representing Michigan, Returning from Washington, D. C., Inspired
When I was boarding the plane for the National Education Leadership Awards Conference, I had no idea what to expect. Upon arrival, I took a look at the conference schedule and saw very little “sit and get” and a lot of networking sessions. As a naturally introverted person, I was immediately concerned. However, that concern quickly evaporated when I started talking to the other award winners at the conference and realized I…
Leadership Lives Here | Building the Bench: Celebrating Districts Growing Leaders From Within
By Heidie Ciesielski, MASSP Associate Director of Leadership Preparation and Certification In a time when the education job market is lean and the search for strong administrator candidates is more competitive than ever, some districts are choosing not to wait for leadership talent to appear from the outside. Instead, they are building it from within – identifying promising educators, investing in their growth, and providing scholarships to aspiring leaders enrolling in Path…
To Graduation and Beyond: Helping Students Stick the Landing After Commencement
Commencement is a beautiful lift-off. Caps fly. Names echo. Families cheer. For a few shining hours, everything feels complete. But here’s the truth we don’t say out loud enough: Graduation is not the finish line, it’s the runway. Right now it might feel like a narrow balance beam. As principals, part of our leadership responsibility is not only to help students take off, but to ensure they can stick the landing in…
A New Chatbot Experience is Launching Soon
MASSP has partnered with Skybound Innovations to bring a new feature to MASSP.com. During an upcoming visit, you will notice an AI chatbot located in the lower right corner of the homepage. If you are an MASSP member, make sure you are logged in first, as your experience with the chatbot will adjust based on your level of access to site content and resources. So, how does it work? The chatbot is…
Bridging Innovation and Flexibility: The Northern Michigan Innovation Academy
The Northern Michigan Innovation Academy represents a forward-thinking shift in how East Jordan Public Schools serves its students. Offered in partnership with U-Tech Prep Academy, the program provides a personalized, flexible learning environment for students in grades 7–12. By combining high-quality online curriculum with the support of a local district, NMIA offers a unique path for families seeking alternatives to traditional seat-time education. Addressing a Growing Need The impetus for NMIA was…
Attention, Admin, You are Going to Washington, D.C. … Copy?
“Admin, Mr. Rummel, Mrs. Fayad. Admin, you are needed - emergency main office!” the walkie-talkie blared. Mid-evaluation, my assistant principal, Maha Fayad, and I side eye one another and rush out. As we shuffle down the hall we are met half way by our office manager, “Mr. Rummel, there is an issue in the atrium.” “Now?! It’s 20 minutes until the end of the day. Who is it? Kids? Adults?” Light stuttering…
Restoring Trust After a Miss
Leadership in Motion: Navigating Change, Shaping Culture, and Driving Impact Opening Reflection Even the most disciplined leaders miss. A decision lands wrong. A message is unclear. A response comes too quickly, or not quickly enough. What felt aligned in the moment creates confusion, frustration, or unintended consequences. These moments are part of the work. But what happens next matters more than the miss itself. Trust is rarely lost because of the mistake…