Washington State School Directors' Association

School directors, looking to set goals and grow? Take our FREE Board self-assessment survey! WSSDA’s online Board Self-Assessment survey is an easy-to-use tool that helps school boards assess and strengthen their performance in governing for improved student learning.

Learn more: WSSDA.org/Take-The-Free-Board-Self-Assessment-Survey

WSSDA members, use your voice!

Help us select the Annual Conference breakout sessions you’d most like to see by providing your feedback in the member survey! Check your email and take just a few minutes to indicate those you’re most likely to attend.

Newly elected school board members, Don't miss out on our upcoming event! 📢 Join us for our new director network webinar on Tuesday, June 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Gain valuable insights, connect with peers, and empower your leadership journey.

Learn more and register: Bit.ly/New-Director-Network

Ready to elevate your leadership skills? Registration for the WSSDA Annual Conference is now open! ✨

This year's conference is themed ’Perspective’ and will be held at the Spokane Convention Center and Davenport Grand on November 21-23. Join us for inspiring keynote speakers, informative workshops and networking opportunities with education leaders from across Washington State.

Register now through September 26 to secure early bird rates: WSSDA.org/Events/Annual-Conference/Annual-Conference-Registration

School board members — July board meetings are just around the corner! Make sure to set aside time during your meeting to review the 2024 General Assembly Handbook.

Later this summer, find the handbook here: WSSDA.org/Events/General-Assembly

School directors — wondering how to recruit more Student Board Reps? Join us for the June Leg Rep Network Meeting on Tuesday, June 4! We'll be discussing innovative approaches to recruiting and onboarding Student Board Representatives. Mark your calendars and join us for this valuable session!

Learn more and register: Bit.ly/Leg-Rep-Network-Meeting

Monday is the last day to submit a presentation proposal for the 2024 WSSDA Annual Conference. Know something that school directors could use in service to their school community? Learn more about becoming a presenter and submit a proposal here: https://wssda.org/events/annual-conference/call-for-presenters/

Looking to navigate the role of technology in education? Dive into this insightful article exploring how schools can play a pivotal role in guiding children's digital engagement. Discover strategies for fostering a healthy relationship with technology while promoting learning and well-being.

Read more: GettingSmart.com/2024/04/09/beyond-bans-schools-role-in-a-hard-reset-on-the-phone-based-childhood

Now taking applications for the next executive director of WSSDA!

The Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) seeks an Executive Director who is a consensus builder and an effective communicator with a passion for equipping the leaders who make a substantive impact on the education of over 1M children across the state. The Board desires a diplomatic and innovative Executive Director to steer the organization to the next level of impact and efficacy. As an advocate of all school board members statewide from districts with varying sizes, needs, and resources, the WSSDA Executive Director will support balanced perspectives and find common ground among members with competing or opposing priorities.

To learn more about this leadership role that works a hybrid schedule based in Olympia, WA view: https://bit.ly/Executive-Director-WSSDA

Ready to make an impact in education advocacy? Start today because it's a year-round process. Get our Advocacy Cycle Planner (pictured), which shows a school board's key steps throughout the year as WSSDA members. Plan ahead, engage your board's legislative representative, and advocate effectively for Washington's public schools.

Get your copy:https://wssda.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Advocacy-Cycle-2024.pdf

Science Daily reports that a landmark study reveals teens who are encouraged to think about broader social, personal and systems-level implications when analyzing situations show more brain development over time. Exploring deeper meaning, historical contexts and civic significance can have lifelong benefits.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Qryxaq

Exciting news! 🌟 Check out our lineup of keynote speakers for the WSSDA Annual Conference. Get ready to be inspired and informed by thought leaders in education, including Jeff Utecht, Washington Teacher of the Year – Blaire Penny, and returning as general session emcee – Erin Jones. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with peers.

Learn more about our keynote speakers: WSSDA.org/Events/Annual-Conference/Keynote-Speakers

News Alert 📢 : School districts across the state are gearing up to start swapping out their diesel school buses for electric ones.

Learn more about the new law and how it's shaping the future of transportation for our schools: Spokesman.com/stories/2024/Apr/07/washington-school-districts-are-poised-to-start-sw

WSSDA is committed to empowering school boards with resources and ideas that enhance student well-being. Check out how farm-to-school programs are flourishing in Washington, enriching our students' lives and promoting healthy eating habits. 🌱

Learn more: Columbian.com/News/2024/Apr/09/Farm-To-School-Programs-Flourish-in-Washington

Do you know about the crucial role of a school board legislative representative (leg rep)? They're the link between the board and topics percolating among local legislators and at the capitol. They make sure boards catch every opportunity to have their district's voice heard.

Watch our video to learn more about becoming and fulfilling the vital role of board leg rep: Bit.ly/LegRepsLeadingTheWay

School Board members, mark your calendars for the 2024 WSSDA annual conference! This year's conference theme is ’Perspective’ and will be held at the Spokane Convention Center and Davenport Grand on November 21-23. Join us for inspiring keynote speakers, informative workshops and networking opportunities with education leaders from across Washington state.

Registration opens June 7. Register by September 27 to secure early bird rates. Learn more: WSSDA.org/Events/Annual-Conference/Annual-Conference-Registration

Calling all education innovators and leaders! ✨ Showcase your expertise and contribute to the WSSDA Annual Conference as a presenter. 🎤 Share your insights, best practices, and strategies to help school boards across Washington state lead with excellence and support student-centered solutions.

Learn more: WSSDA.org/events/annual-conference/call-for-presenters

Boards annually review superintendents, but they can also gain valuable insights about themselves by doing a yearly board self-assessment. Better understand your board's strengths and areas for growth, empowering you to better serve your students and community.

Learn more: WSSDA.org/Take-The-Free-Board-Self-Assessment-Survey

Don't forget to this week!

School Directors: Dive deep into uncovering educational disparities at our workshop in Spokane, WA! We'll explore what they are, how to detect them, and how they may be related. Join us as we grow our ability to address inequities in our schools and empower every student to succeed. 📚

Register now to be a part of this crucial conversation:
Bit.ly/DiscoveringEducationalDisparitiesTraining

SPOKANE-area school directors: be the first to pilot our latest training! We’ve done 3 mini-pilots where we offer just a portion of the full training, and now we’re ready to offer the complete experience and get you credit toward required training. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/877783041707?aff=oddtdtcreator

The May 7th Leg Rep meeting will feature experts on how to advocate effectively for an increase to the Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC) funding. The meeting starts at noon and will be recorded.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3xwLIAc

School directors! Don't miss out on our remaining regional meetings designed to connect, collaborate and equip our regional school boards for success.

Join us as we discuss pressing issues, share best practices, and gain skills to encourage conversation in place of conflict.

Visit the schedule and register today: WSSDA.org/Events/Regional-Meetings

WSSDA's Legislative Representative Network empowers board members to become even more effective advocates at the local, state, and federal levels. Join us for the next virtual meeting May 7!

Learn more about Network resources. https://bit.ly/3xwLIAc

After 7 years with WSSDA, our current director of policy and legal services, Abigail Westbrook, has taken a position with the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District effective June 3, 2024. Please share this job posting with your networks to help us find her successor: https://wssda.org/about-us/careers-and-contracts/director-of-policy-and-legal-services/

We’re happy to introduce five new board members to WSSDA this year. Melissa Beard from Tumwater School District, Kate Espy from South Kitsap School District, Jill Oldson from Richland School District and Liza Rankin of Seattle Public Schools. Whitney Smith was appointed to the board to assume the seat previously held by Aurora Flores of the Manson School District.

To learn more about our board members visit: http://bit.ly/WSSDADirectors

Protect your students, staff and parents with these top ten best cybersecurity practices from North Central Educational Service District!

✔ Secure, offsite backup solution
✔ Two-factor authentication for email systems
✔ Password complexity and history

Learn more: NCESD.org/News/Cybersecurity-Best-Practices

From Conflict to Conversation. School boards are often at the center of political and ideological conflicts. This spring, WSSDA’s Regional Meetings will give school board directors the chance to learn from each other and develop skills to encourage conversation in place of conflict.

Learn more and register: WSSDA.org/Events/Regional-Meetings