Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents
Organizational Capabilities

The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) is the only statewide organization dedicated to the unique professional and advocacy concerns of school superintendents and assistant superintendents. Membership includes all 288 Massachusetts superintendents, 160 assistant superintendents, 220 retired superintendents, and 70 associate members, for a total of 738 members.

Association Goals. M.A.S.S. originated in 1973. According to its charter, the purpose of M.A.S.S. is to improve education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by:

1. working to strengthen the position and serve the professional needs of district school leaders;
2. studying and developing programs for the improvement of instruction and education;
3. cooperating with other organizations and groups dedicated to the improvement of instruction and education;
4. making the public aware of effective programs of instruction and education;
5. enabling the improvement of administrative practices.

M.A.S.S. continues to fulfill these goals. The Executive Director and the Executive Committee of M.A.S.S. work closely with state legislators and committees involved with legislation that effects school superintendents, their districts, and education in general. The association helps district leaders solve professional problems that may effect the fulfillment of superintendent responsibilities. M.A.S.S. staff constantly works to develop programs responsive to the needs of all of its membership. Currently, M.A.S.S. is developing a mentoring program to support new superintendents as they adjust to their new responsibilities. This mentoring program will focus on issues of technology integration, education reform, law and policy, and strategic financing.

Staffing and Committees. The Executive Director works closely with a staff that includes a Director of Professional Development, a Director of Technology Initiatives, a Legislative Agent, and an Association Attorney. The Executive Committee is comprised of 16 regularly elected members from throughout the Commonwealth. There are also eight local "Round Table" groups of superintendents that meet each month to share ideas and discuss problems in their school districts. The Professional Development Committee and the Technology Task Force are comprised of superintendents and assistant superintendents who assist in planning and facilitating many of these association activities.

Meetings, Activities, and Evolving Initiatives. The association holds three general membership meetings each year, eight monthly regional roundtables, a three-day July Executive Institute, and a two-day October Technology Leadership Conference. The association staff publishes a monthly newsletter for its membership. News and information is continuously posted on the association web site. Recent technology initiatives include the association web site called the M.A.S.S. Exchange, and the annual Superintendents Technology Leadership Conference.

The association's web site, the M.A.S.S. Exchange (http://www.massupt.org) is being developed as a superintendent online learning community for M.A.S.S. members. It provides these educational leaders with access to the resources they need, when they need it. It includes information about the association's positions on education reform, finance and accountability, legal and policy updates, technology leadership, and other district and school leadership topics. Eventually the Exchange will not only provide a greater opportunity for superintendents to collaborate online about timely educational issues, but also more structured learning opportunities through moderated netseminars.

The Superintendents Technology Leadership Conference (STLC) originated in 1998 to help Massachusetts' superintendents and their district leadership teams learn how to use technology to improve teaching and learning, and how to strategically invest in technology to ensure a valuable return. At the next conference, STLC 2000: Teaching and Learning in the Net(Worked) World, M.A.S.S. expects 500 attendees, including district leadership teams comprised of superintendents, assistant superintendents, curriculum directors, principals and lead teachers.

With its goals and evolving initiatives, M.A.S.S. continues to be an advocate and an influential service provider for the key education leaders in the Commonwealth.

Contact information:
Christopher Martes, Executive Director
Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents
132 Lincoln St., Suite 6L
Boston, MA 02111
phone: 617-451-1151
email: martes@massupt.org

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