The Washington State School Directors' Association is the only organization representing the school board/governance perspective in improving and promoting public education and student learning. Your membership in WSSDA gives you access to a range of services that can help you and your board be successful in your leadership role.
While WSSDA offers a number of fee-based programs, the core of your association membership value lies in dues-supported services—services that would be costly or cost-prohibitive for districts to acquire individually. The benefits associated with WSSDA membership are even more important during difficult fiscal times like these. These include:
Advocacy
School directors consistently identify advocacy as their top priority for WSSDA. And WSSDA delivers with an effective governmental relations effort that works at the state and federal levels ensure the voice of school boards is heard. Our staff is “on the hill” in Olympia every day the Legislature is in session and works throughout the year with state policymakers, advocating on issues that matter to our members. We also support a strong network of school directors who communicate with members of Congress and federal policymakers on matters affecting K-12 education.
Policy support
As set forth in state law, WSSDA is the only organization in Washington chartered to coordinate and facilitate the development of school district policy. WSSDA provides expert support and guidance to assist school boards with policy questions, and is frequently asked by the Legislature to craft model policies for local districts (most recently on online learning, concussion management and cyberbullying).
Leadership development
WSSDA offers myriad resources to help school directors strengthen their leadership skills and work as a team. New school board standards, developed by a WSSDA task force, help our members govern through researched best practices that are proven to promote high levels of district and student performance. School directors rely on WSSDA to learn more about their roles and responsibilities, board/superintendent relations, conflict resolution, data-driven decision-making, closing the achievement gap, and many other topics.
Information
WSSDA delivers information services that help members stay on top of education issues around the state and the country, including our popular E-Clippings service and our daily legislative updates. We now offer Webinars on timely topics and have added online video reports and presentations. As always, we provide a range of printed and online publications on topics ranging from school board advocacy to open public meetings requirements to parliamentary procedure.
Member expertise
One of WSSDA’s greatest strengths is the expertise of the membership itself, particularly as school directors develop and share innovative approaches to challenges in K-12 education. WSSDA leverages this expertise in a number of ways, including our committees and task forces, and our Regional Meetings (which are offered for just the cost of the meal).
Your membership in WSSDA is deeply valued as the association continually strives to give you the best value for your participation. If you’d like to know more about our programs and services, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve you.