Minnesota Association of School Personnel Administrators & State Negotiators upcoming events

Assertive Communication: Boundaries in High-Demand Systems (11/04/2026)

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Assertive Communication for School HR Leaders

Facilitated by H&S Wellness Consultants

School HR professionals navigate emotionally charged, high-stakes conversations every day—balancing compliance, compassion, and capacity. This quarterly virtual series offers practical, immediately usable communication tools designed specifically for school HR leaders.

Each 30-minute session focuses on clear, respectful assertiveness that protects relationships and prevents burnout.

Session 4 – Boundaries in High-Demand Systems

Using clear communication and role boundaries as a burnout-prevention strategy.

What to Expect

30-minute virtual sessions (Zoom)
Practical frameworks + real HR examples
Skills you can use the same day
Sessions build on one another, but attendance at every session is not required

Why Attend?

Communicate clearly without escalating conflict
Set limits without guilt or over-functioning
Reduce avoidance and people-pleasing
Protect your energy in a high-demand role

This series is offered free of charge to MASPA members as part of a partnership with H&S Wellness Consultants.

State Negotiators November Meeting (11/06/2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Todd Mensink, Director of Labor Relations and Benefits, Anoka-Hennepin Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
From Grievance to Arbitration: What Negotiators Need to Know

Stephen Befort, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota Law School. Professor Befort is an experienced arbitrator. He will share his perspective on contract grievances and arbitration. The session will explore which disputes are well suited for arbitration; when another path may produce a better result; and what negotiators can do before and during the grievance process to strengthen their position or avoid arbitration altogether. Topics will include past practice, evidentiary considerations, preparing for arbitration, and common mistakes that can affect the outcome.
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

KickUp Meet & Learn After State Negotiators

Join KickUp following the November State Negotiators meeting for a Meet & Learn!

Founded by former educators, KickUp is on a mission to help every educator thrive throughout their career. Our educator growth platform connects professional learning, coaching, and evaluation for every staff role, so each educator gets the right support at the right time.

We’re proud to sponsor MASPA and look forward to meeting more of Minnesota’s leaders in person!

Plan to be there?
Please RSVP

Want to learn more about KickUp?
Schedule a time to connect with our team.

MASPA Webinar: Minnesota School HR Tech Benchmarks (11/11/2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

How Does Your HR Technology Stack Up? A First Look at Minnesota’s School HR Technology Benchmarks

Which HR systems are working well for Minnesota schools? Where are teams struggling with training, vendor support, or products that fall short of expectations? And what can you learn from colleagues before renewing a contract or considering a change?

Join Chris Hoehn, Executive Director of MASPA, for the first look at findings from the Minnesota School HR Technology Benchmark Survey. Explore what participating school HR leaders report about applicant tracking, employee records, benefits enrollment, time and leave tracking, substitute scheduling, and teacher performance evaluation.

Together, we’ll examine:

How HR satisfaction compares with reported supervisor experiences.
Where products meet schools' needs and where improvement is most needed.
Common training challenges and experiences with vendor support.
Why schools replace systems and what those experiences can teach others.

Chris will also introduce the MASPA HR Tech Benchmark Explorer, an interactive resource for browsing the findings, examining categories in greater depth, and connecting with willing peers through consent-based introductions.

Attendees get first access to the results and the opportunity to explore beyond the presentation. Bring your questions and the products you’re curious about. Leave with a clearer picture of your options and a way to keep digging into the findings, with deeper response and contact access governed by participation, membership, and respondent permission.

This webinar is open to all Minnesota school administrators. Radar Talent Solutions is the co-host and an active MASPA Business Member.

State Negotiators December Meeting (12/04/2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 17:30:00 GMT

In-Person Meeting Information:
Quora Education Center
Conference Rooms A/B
70 County Road B2 W
Little Canada, MN 55117 (map)

In-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30.
Virtual attendees join beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Todd Mensink, Director of Labor Relations and Benefits, Anoka-Hennepin Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Legislative Preview: Dust from the midterm elections has settled. Join a panel of school issue advocates for a review of their legislative priorities and a preview of the 2027 Legislative session with a focus on employment and education. Featuring Scott Croonquist (AMSD) and Valerie Dosland (MASA & MASBO).
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

State Negotiators January Meeting (01/08/2027)

Fri, 08 Jan 2027 17:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Julie Coffey, Executive Director Human Resources, Mounds View Public Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

MASPA 2027 Winter Conference (01/22/2027)

Fri, 22 Jan 2027 14:30:00 GMT

Save the date for the MASPA Winter Conference!

MASPA's Winter Conference is a full-day event designed to provide high-quality learning for school human resources leaders and staff.

Who Should Attend?

HR Directors
HR Staff
Superintendents
Assistant Superintendents
District Recruiters

State Negotiators February Meeting (02/05/2027)

Fri, 05 Feb 2027 17:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Todd Mensink, Director of Labor Relations and Benefits, Anoka-Hennepin Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

State Negotiators March Meeting (03/05/2027)

Fri, 05 Mar 2027 17:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Julie Coffey, Executive Director Human Resources, Mounds View Public Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

State Negotiators April Meeting (04/09/2027)

Fri, 09 Apr 2027 16:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Craig Holje, Chief Human Resources & Administrative Officer, Richfield Public Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

MASPA 2027 Spring Conference (04/30/2027)

Fri, 30 Apr 2027 13:30:00 GMT

Save the date for the MASPA Spring Conference!

MASPA's Spring Conference is a full-day event designed to provide high-quality learning for school human resources leaders and staff.

Who Should Attend?

HR Directors
HR Staff
Superintendents
Assistant Superintendents
District Recruiters

State Negotiators May Meeting (05/07/2027)

Fri, 07 May 2027 16:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Craig Holje, Chief Human Resources & Administrative Officer, Richfield Public Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

State Negotiators June Meeting (06/04/2027)

Fri, 04 Jun 2027 16:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Craig Holje, Chief Human Resources & Administrative Officer, Richfield Public Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

State Negotiators July Meeting (07/09/2027)

Fri, 09 Jul 2027 16:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Matt Mons, Director of Human Resources, General Counsel, White Bear Lake Area Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.

State Negotiators August Meeting (08/06/2027)

Fri, 06 Aug 2027 16:30:00 GMT

This in-person meeting begins with lunch from 11:30 to 12:30. The presentation portion of the meeting is available via virtual attendance beginning around 12:30.

Location:

Lunch start: 11:30 a.m.

Meeting start: 12:30/12:45 p.m.

Facilitator:

Matt Mons, Director of Human Resources, General Counsel, White Bear Lake Area Schools

Meeting Agenda:

Introduction, review of norms, and meeting agenda
Special Presentation - Topic TBD
Reports and Updates on Settlements, Arbitration, and BMS Rulings.

** Closed Session - available to only those actively representing school management in negotiations **

Moderated group discussion: members share a brief update as to where they are in the process of negotiating teachers’ and other contracts. Includes main issues they have brought to the table as well as any other issues or proposals you feel would be of interest to the group.
Attendees are invited to share about arbitration results and BMS rulings such as representation votes and contract scope rulings.