About M.A.S.S.
The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) originated in 1973 and is the only statewide organization in Massachusetts dedicated to the unique professional and advocacy concerns of School Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents.
Our members include Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Executive Directors, as well as retired and associate members. M.A.S.S. holds two general membership meetings each year, eight monthly regional roundtables, a three-day July Executive Institute, a two-day October Technology Leadership Conference, and a joint conference with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees in November. There are also a variety of professional development Leadership Institutes offered throughout the school year.
Our Strategic Plan
In March 2023, M.A.S.S. began a year-long strategic planning process to create a Five-Year Strategic Plan. M.A.S.S. engaged with internal and external stakeholders to identify the Association’s strengths and outline opportunities for growth. Some of these opportunities quickly emerged as immediate priorities. To address them, M.A.S.S. initiated a Bridge Year Strategic Plan by July 1, 2023, allowing for the implementation of these priorities while the comprehensive five-year plan was being developed. By July 1, 2024, M.A.S.S. completed the Five-Year Strategic Plan, which integrated the work done during the Bridge Year.
Guided by member input, the Strategic Plan centers around our Theory of Action, which emphasizes “District Leadership for Student Belonging and Learning.” Our overarching strategy is to “design a multi-tiered framework of support” that caters to all stakeholders, including individual superintendents and assistant superintendents. This framework is supported by our Standing Operations.
The Five-Year Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap, offering clear guidance on how to operationalize our initiatives and allocate resources effectively. It is a living document that can adapt to unexpected events and trends affecting district leaders. This flexibility enables M.A.S.S. to seize new opportunities and navigate the evolving educational landscape. To ensure ongoing progress, we will conduct an annual review of the Strategic Plan to evaluate M.A.S.S.’s advancements and make any necessary adjustments.
Our Mission
To provide all Massachusetts children with a world class education by:
- Seeking strategies to continuously improve public education;
- Speaking with a cohesive, powerful voice on behalf of laws, policies and funding;
- Supporting Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents with information, including professional development and a network of peers.
Our Vision
M.A.S.S. is a vibrant and engaging network of school Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents that:
- educates and inspires the public to support our efforts to provide a public education system that meets the learning needs of all children;
- enhances the leadership capabilities and management capacities of school superintendents;
- delivers services, information and support in anticipation of the challenges, expectations and requirements confronting our members;
- generates the necessary financial resources to achieve our vision and goals;
- influences the development of state education policy, legislation and funding; and
develops and sustains a wide range of education leadership coalitions and alliances.
Our Core Values
- Our public education system has a responsibility to provide a high quality education to each and every one of its students.
- Effective leadership and management are essential to the future of public education. Therefore, we will invest in the ongoing learning, support and development of local education leaders.
- Engaging all our members is necessary to accomplish our mission and achieve our vision. Therefore, we must be inclusive and value equity.
- Proposed education reforms, application of technology and changes in practice should be based upon the best available research.
- The Association has a responsibility to actively advocate for a public education system that sets high expectations for all students and is responsive to their learning needs.
- Appropriate and deep integration of technology in instruction and direct management will enhance effective teaching and efficient operation of public education.
The Association will enable our membership to provide: an informed, powerful, cohesive voice to influence state legislation, policies and funding; systems of professional support and collegiality and strategic leadership for the continuous improvement of public education for all children.
Click here for a directory of M.A.S.S. Staff