Volume XLIV                           June 2023

No. 329

In This Issue...

  1. MCASE President Message
  2. SAM Executive Director Message
  3. SAM Professional Learning Opportunities
  4. SAM Membership Renewal 
  5. DaRud Golf Scramble Registration
  6. CoSN Update 
  7. SAM Business Partners


Upcoming Conferences,   
Meetings, & Events

SAM Week of Excellence

June 7, 2023: 
  • DaRud Cup Golf Scramble
June 8, 2023:
  • SAM Board Meeting, 8:00am - 2:00pm
  • SAM Delegate Assembly Caucuses, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
  • SAM Evening of Excellence, 5:30pm - 9:00pm
June 9, 2023:
  • SAM Delegate Assembly, 8:00am - 12:00pm

SAM Administrators Institute 2023

  • July 24-26Great Northern, Helena

** View the full SAM Calendar**   

Thank you to this month's featured Business Partners! 


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SAM Leadership

SAM
Shelley Andres
President
Sara Novak
President Elect
 
MASSP
KJ Poepping
President
Sheri Heavrin
President Elect
Rhiannon Beery
Vice President
Shawn Hendrickson
Past President
 
MAEMSP
Ted Miller
President
Julie Hornby
President Elect
Mark Goyette
Vice President
Nicole Trahan
Past President
Kelly Kinsey
Barb Droessler
SAM Representatives
 
MASS
Dave Wick
President
Dale Olinger
President Elect
Rick Duncan
Federal Relations Coordinator
 
MCASE
Sara Novak
President
 
MACSS
Erin Lipkind
President
 
META
Carol Phillips
President
 
SAM Office
Dr. Rob Watson
Executive Director
 Kim Scofield
Director of Member Services & Professional Learning
 Marcus Meyer
Director of Operations, Membership & Finances
 

 

 

 Year End Reflection

by Sara Novak, MCASE President/SAM President Elect

Just like that, the school year is over and my favorite season is drawing near. As I look forward to some
summer work in preparation for the next year, I reflect on this year in hopes to make things better. This
reflection brings gratitude for my family and friends and especially for my employees. We had to say
goodbye to some and we welcome others. Colleagues everywhere are in a similar mode, while others
are moving along. Whatever your status is, I wish you well.

As I reflect on my professional work, I also reflect on my organizational work. I am winding down my
time as MCASE President. While I have learned so much over the past 2-year term, I have also gained so
much appreciation for all the many hats so many folks wear. When I was asked to step up and consider
the President-Elect position, I recall the leaders at that time saying “You will gain so much more than
you give.” I quickly saw what they were talking about. I am thankful to those whom I have met along
the way and the friendships that have been forged.

Little did I know that shortly after accepting their advice, running for the position, and getting elected,
the President would find himself needing to step back from things beyond his workday. My path to be
the President became very short. However, my fellow Special Ed Directors and MCASE members gave
much grace. I am so blessed to be part of the larger MCASE team. While miles spread us apart across
the state, I feel we are a tight group and I am proud to be part of it. I am very grateful for Taylor Salmi
and her willingness to be the President Elect the past 2 years. She is a strong advocate and will be a
great MCASE President as well as a great addition to the SAM Board of Directors.

Last year in my role as the MCASE President, I had the opportunity to run for leadership on the SAM
Board. I was encouraged to do so and after giving it some consideration I jumped in. Thanks to my
fellow board members having faith in me, I will be switching that leadership role to the SAM Board of
Directors as of July 1st as your new President. I am honored to follow in Shelley’s footsteps and continue
with the great work being done. Rob, Kim and Marcus are top notch and work tirelessly and make sure
things are seamless in all we do.

I tell my story in hopes that you will see leadership values within yourself. Rob’s message last week was
similar in terms of letting others know what opportunities there are within SAM and our individual State
affiliates and our regional groups. There are many opportunities for involvement. We are in some
tough times for public education and specifically as educational leaders. The support of your
professional organization makes a positive difference. I hope that I can inspire others to become
involved. Together we can accomplish so much. I challenge you to reach out, to step up and/or to
encourage someone to get involved.

Hopefully I will get to see many of you in the coming weeks in Helena for the Delegate Assembly and/or
the SAM Administrators Institute. Most importantly, I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing
summer.

Sara Novak
MCASE President
SAM President Elect

Education Policy in the 2023 Montana Legislature

by Dr. Rob Watson, SAM Executive Director

Education policy was a key issue and here are some of the hot-button topics and contentious debates that took center stage during the 2023 Montana Legislature regarding education policy. As with any legislative session, passionate discussions surrounding education policies played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Montana's educational landscape. Let's take a closer look at some of the key controversial issues that sparked intense deliberations.

1. Education Savings Accounts: One of the most contentious topics debated during the legislative session was the proposal to implement education savings accounts (ESAs) for special education students. Proponents argued that these programs would provide parents with more educational choices, including private schools, by redirecting public funds. However, critics expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on public school funding and the potential for increased inequality and lack of accountability in the education system.

2. Charter School Expansion: Another divisive issue revolved around the expansion of charter schools in Montana. Supporters of charter schools advocated for increased options and autonomy in education, citing their potential to drive innovation and address the specific needs of students. However, opponents raised concerns about the potential diversion of resources from traditional public schools, lack of oversight and transparency, and the potential for increased segregation and inequity.

3. Sex Education Curriculum: The Legislature engaged in intense debates over the development and implementation of sex education curriculum in Montana schools. Discussions revolved around the content of the curriculum, including topics such as gender identity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and comprehensive sexual health education. Supporters emphasized the importance of providing accurate and inclusive information to students, while opponents expressed concerns about age-appropriate content and differing values within communities.

4. Indigenous Education: Another point of discussion was accountability related to Indigenous education (IEFA) within the curriculum. Advocates stressed the importance of incorporating accurate Native American history, culture, and contributions into the education system to promote cultural understanding and respect. Bills were introduced to hold schools accountable for IEFA implementation, including new reporting requirements for all school districts.

5. Parents Rights: Many bills were introduced related to the inclusion of parents in educational decisions. Advocates spoke to the importance of involving, notifying, and allowing parents to opt in and opt out of controversial education issues. Opponents expressed concerns about the implementation of confusing processes, the rights of minors under Montana’s constitution, and the top-down legislative approach that would remove power from local control, a right that is expressly provided to elected trustees.

These controversial issues highlighted the diverse perspectives and values within Montana's education system, reflecting the complexity of creating policies that meet the needs of all students. While the Legislature engaged in robust discussions, it is important to note that not all issues were resolved during this session, and ongoing dialogue will continue to shape the future of education in the state.

As engaged members of our community, it is crucial to stay informed, voice our concerns, and actively participate in shaping education policies. By remaining engaged and fostering respectful dialogue, we can contribute to finding balanced solutions that prioritize the well-being and success of Montana's students.

Rob


 Upcoming SAM Professional Learning Opportunities: 

SAM Administrators Institute 2023:  Resilient Leaders, Healthy Schools

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The Conference is July 24-26, 2023  in-person at the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel in Helena.  This event will focus on the importance of resilient leadership in creating and maintaining strong and successful schools.

We have a lineup of outstanding speakers including

  • Pete Hall, author of  Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation: Trauma-Invested Practices for Fostering Resilient Learners, who will be providing the pre-conference workshop hosted by MTASCD that will focus on instructional planning as a team. This would be a great opportunity to bring your instructional team for some collaborative time together! Pete Hall will also provide the opening conference keynote presentation as well as breakout presentations.
  • James Bailey, co-author of The Daily SEL Leader, will deliver a keynote presentation and breakout session highlighting the significance of leaders cultivating resilience within themselves before they can foster resilience in others. By reducing workplace stress and burnout, leaders can improve retention rates. The presentation will emphasize the importance of developing resilience, building relationships, maintaining positive communication, and implementing effective collaborative practices. By doing so, leaders can enhance school cultures that prioritize effective learning and well-being.  
  • We have partnered with MTASCD again to bring back several instruction related sessions.  This would be a great opportunity to bring your instructional team for some collaborative time together!

You can expect additional keynote presentations and many breakout sessions focused on Leadership, Behavioral Health, Curriculum and Assessment throughout the conference including hot button topics like ChatGPT/AI, The Graduate Profile, & Behavioral HealthSAM AI is a great opportunity for education leaders to network with other leaders and gain inspiration for the school year ahead. 

To learn more about the event and for room block information, please visit the SAM Administrators Institute webpage or register directly by submitting the SAM Administrators Institute Registration Form.

SAM SEL for Education Leaders PLC

Take time to focus on yourself and your own resiliency skills. We are recruiting 25 leaders from across the state to participate in SAM's first ever PLC. This cohort will be 100% virtual. It will be led by two national experts in leadership and resiliency. As a typical PLC, you will have an opportunity to share and collaborate with other MT leaders, while building your own skills in the area of SEL Leadership. Space is only open to the first 25 who register, so please do not delay. Info and Registration here:  SAM SEL Leaders, Professional Learning Cohort

Mentoring/Coaching:  SAM LPLP

SAM will continue the long standing tradition of providing a low cost 1-1 coaching/mentoring model with the Leaders Professional Learning Program. If you are new to your position OR if you would benefit from a mentor, this is the right program for you. LPLP provides each person with an experienced mentor that will provide support through 1-1 conversations and check-ins throughout the school year. Remember that leadership can be a lonely job. The LPLP provider can be a great resource for quick guidance or a confidential ear to provide a sounding board in difficult situations. Register here:  SAM LPLP:  1-1 Leadership Coaching & Mentoring, 2023-24 school year.


SAM Week of Excellence:  June 8-10

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It's not too late to register for the 2023 DaRud Golf Scramble on Wednesday, June 7 at Bill Roberts Golf Course in Helena.  The golf tournament marks the beginning the annual SAM Week of Excellence.  

  • June 7, 2023: 
    • DaRud Cup Golf Scramble
  • June 8, 2023:
    • SAM Board Meeting, 8:00am - 2:00pm
    • SAM Delegate Assembly Caucuses, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
    • SAM Evenig of Excellence, 5:30pm - 9:00pm
  • June 9, 2023:
    • SAM Delegate Assembly, 8:00am - 12:00pm

For more information, including hotel room blocks for the events, visit the SAM Week of Excellence webpage.


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Reminder: 
Renew Your SAM Membership for Next Year

As you close out the school year, please check with your district clerk to see if your SAM membership dues have been paid and that you are renewed for FY24. For most of you, your district clerk is the key contact who can renew your membership online. Members not associated with a school district must renew their own memberships. You will want to update your membership soon to ensure that your benefits remain active.

Please share membership information with administrators new to your district or region.  We want to get them connected to the many resources offered by SAM as soon as possible.  All questions can be directed to the SAM office.  

Montana Digital Academy/EdReady Montana Symposium

The inaugural Innovation Runs Through It symposium July 11-13, 2023, at
the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education on the University of Montana campus in Missoula is an opportunity for you to invest in the professional development of your educators and help them drive innovation in their schools and classrooms.

The symposium will delve into timely focus areas, such as proficiency-based
education, embracing artificial intelligence in education, adopting the best practices for online and blended learning in every classroom, and the revolutionary power of EdReady to help students fill gaps
achieve.  

For more information and registration details, please visit the event website:  
https://innovationrunsthroughit.com/

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cosn logo.jpg - 42.49 KbThe Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and its Montana state affiliate chapter, Montana Educational Technologists Association (META) are pleased to continue to support the work of current and
aspiring superintendents and district leadership teams in leading all aspects of digital learning transformations.

EmpowerED Superintendents edLeader Panel Series

The EmpowerED Superintendents edLeader Panel monthly broadcast series, co-hosted by CoSN, AASA and
edWeb.net and sponsored by ClassLink, just wrapped up its fifth season with the May 11 broadcast on
Succeeding with Digital Equity: CoSN’s 2023 Award Winning District's Leadership Strategies. CoSN annually awards a school district with the association’s Community Leadership Award for Digital Equity to honor and recognize those districts that are working to eliminate inequities and narrow the gap when it comes to digital
access. Corpus Christi ISD in Texas was the recipient of CoSN’s 2023 Community Leadership Award for Digital
Equity. The May 11 edLeader Panel broadcast featured the Superintendent of Corpus Christi ISD, AASA
member, Dr. Roland Hernandez, who was joined by the district’s Director of Instructional Technology, Ms.
Cary Perales, and the district’s Director of Technology Services, Ms. Marilyn Doughty. Dr. Jill Brown, CoSN’s
Director of Professional Learning, also joined the broadcast panel.

If you were not able to attend the live broadcast you are welcome to view the recording or access the podcast
version by visiting The EmpowerED Superintendent edLeader Panel web page at https://home.edweb.net/supers where you can also access recordings of multiple other broadcasts in this series that were featured over the past 18 months.

A few of the titles featured in recent broadcasts include:

  • Leading and Implementing Educational Technology Innovations: Hurdles, Accelerators, and Tech Enablers
  • Addressing Technology’s Diversity and Equity Through District Policies, Practices, and Personnel
  • Leveraging Technology Tools to Provide Equitable Learning Opportunities for ALL Students
  • Planning and Sustaining Technology Innovations: Aligning Priorities, Costs, and Outcomes
  • Leadership Challenges and Solutions Regarding Data Privacy in Technology-Enriched Learning Environments

Continuing Education Credits

Participants in edWeb.net’s edWebinars and edLeader Panels broadcasts may earn continuing education (CE)
credits after viewing the live or recorded broadcasts. The edWeb CE credits also meet the qualifications for
several professional associations for license, membership, and certification renewal, including CoSN’s CETL re-
certification program. To learn more about earning edWeb.net’s CE credits please visit
https://home.edweb.net/edweb-tips/.

CoSN Membership:
If you, your school or district would like more information about joining CoSN, please contact [email protected].


Thank you to SAM's Business Partners!  

Please take time to visit their websites.

Montana Big Sky Sponsors

Health Insurance
PO Box 4579
Helena, MT 59601
[email protected]
406-457-4401

Total Education Solutions in Technology (T.E.S.T)  
PO Box 2900
Missoula, MT 59805
[email protected]
888-401-6950

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Empowering Teachers To
Drive Their Own Professional Learning
84 Sherman Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
 [email protected]

Montana Glacier Sponsors

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Infinite Campus is the largest American-owned student information system  
[email protected]  
763-458-1752
 
 
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A turn-key library of interactive lessons that enrich K-12 instruction

Erin Murphy
[email protected]
406-929-1903

 

 

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School property & liability insurance      
1200 North Montana Ave.
Helena. MT. 59601
[email protected]  
406-533-1035
 
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K–12 online curriculum and blended learning solutions
Chet Riddle
[email protected]
480-347-6008 
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A leading provider of cloud-based education products
45 E Madison Ave, Ste 7 
Clifton, NJ 07011
888-963-7550
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Helping Families and Schools Create Two- and Four-Year College Graduates With Minimal Debt 
211 N. 14th Street, Suite 315 
Lincoln, NE 68508
402-475-7737

https://www.ontocollege.com/contact-us/

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4500 N. Lewis Dr.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
[email protected]
605-606-0147

 

Montana Mountain Sponsors

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solutions
34 West 6th Avenue, Suite 2B
Helena, MT 59601
[email protected]
406-461-7432

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Partners in Clean, Safe & Healthy Buildings
2525 Overland Avenue
Billings, MT 59102 
[email protected]
800-652-1020
 
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Targeted Professional Development
Daniel Sybrant
557 Cow Creek Lane
Corvallis, MT 
[email protected] 
888-413-3669, ext. 5776
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Nexxus
Next generation education ecosystem
38 Grenville Street, Suite 4403
Toronto, ON M4Y1A5
[email protected]
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Corebridge Financial (formerly Valic)

Annuities, life insurance
430 Ryman St., #102
Missoula, MT 59892
[email protected]
corebridgefinancial.com
406-329-5500

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Reach Higher Montana
Jason Butcher
Outreach Director
406-366-0777
406-422-1275 Ext. 801
[email protected]
 
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Standards-based digital curriculum resources for
K–12 classrooms 
Emily Keith
[email protected]      
847-337-9546
 
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Online Learning for students grades 6-12
One East Broward Blvd. Suite 1599

Ft. Lauderdale FL 33301

[email protected]
754-778-2617

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Auto, homeowners, life insurance and financial services
617 W Stolley Park Road
Grand Island, NE 68801
[email protected] 
866-517-6870
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School Workers’ Compensation & Liability
 Coverage
PO Box 7029 - Helena, MT 59601
[email protected]
Phone: 406-457-4418

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Provides Orton-Gillingham Sonday System Programs and Training
Amanda Burnette                                
3001 Metro Drive, Suite 480
Bloomington, MN. 55425
[email protected]
 

School portraits, yearbooks & sports portraits
2110 Overland Ave., #115A 
Billings, MT 59102 
800-862-7183

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C&C School Accounting
Software For Schools In Montana Since 1980
[email protected]
800-442-6107 
 

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Safe, Easily Managed School
Networks
106 East Sixth Street, Suite 500
Austin TX 48701
[email protected]  
512-904-0544   

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Protecting every child's digital journey 
11545 W. Bernardo Court Suite 204 
San Diego, CA 92127
844-723-3932
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National provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions 
Spectrum Enterprises Local Contacts
 

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Powering Your School’s Identity

2201 Brookwood Dr. Suite 115
Little Rock, AR 72202
[email protected]egy.com
501-472-5636

CommunicationResources.png - 15.80 KbProviding tech solutions to Montana since 2004
Karl Moritz
[email protected]
406-552-2374
 

Montana Meadow Sponsors

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Substitute Staffing Service
Maya Burnaugh
3001 Metro Drive, Suite 200
Bloomington, MN. 55425
[email protected]
 
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Collaborating with you to innovate
1627 W. Main Street Suite #325
Bozeman, MT 59715
[email protected]   
406-577-2345
 

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Technology planning, project  &
solution  services
2135 Charlotte Street
Bozeman MT 59718
[email protected]  
406-294-5470   
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K12 Montana, Inc.
Creator of K12 Panel -
Making IT work for you!

Jeff Patterson
[email protected]
 
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Systems and applications to reduce
the financial burden of federal student loans
[email protected]
833-468-9666   
 

 

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Therapy Your Way
811 E. Washington Ave,
Suite 500
Madison, WI 53703
844-536-8266
[email protected]
 
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Managed IT Services, Advanced Cybersecurity Services, Product Procurement
500 N Higgins Ave #201
Missoula, MT 59802
406-721-6462
[email protected]