Welcome to Boardcast, a new e-newsletter from the Washington State School Directors’ Association. Boardcast provides "quick takes" on association activities and K-12 education news, with links to more in-depth information from other sources. We’ll be publishing twice a month, usually during the second and fourth weeks. Let us know what you think about this new resource … your feedback is appreciated!

David Brine
WSSDA Communications Director

Legislative Assembly sets the stage for 2006 session

Unfunded mandates, all-day kindergarten, simple majority, special education and alternative assessments are among the top concerns of WSSDA’s Legislative Assembly, according to a vote of delegates taken at their meeting in Spokane this past month.

Delegates wrapped up the annual Assembly with an advisory vote to rank 76 legislative proposals and positions in order of priority. The WSSDA Web site now has a complete list of the priority ranking (PDF file). The results of the priority vote will be considered by the WSSDA Legislative Committee and Board of Directors as they establish they association’s 2006 legislative package, which forms the “short list” of WSSDA’s highest priorities.  The board is scheduled to adopt a package at its November meeting in Seattle.

The biggest debate of the Assembly centered on proposals to delay or eliminate the WASL as a graduation requirement.  Both proposals were rejected by substantial margins.  For more on the debate and the outcome, see our story on the WSSDA Web site.

Get ready to vote!

School board members have three important elections coming up in November.  Of course, there’s the state General Election Nov. 8, featuring several statewide ballot measures and many local races.  But don’t forget the other two elections — one for the State Board of Education and the other for WSSDA officer and committee positions.

School directors will elect five positions on the reconstituted State Board, two from eastern Washington and three from the west side.  The twelve candidates (Judith Billings recently dropped out) are featured in a voter information guide published by OSPI (PDF file).  Candidates are also visiting WSSDA’s Regional Meetings and will be attending several “get-acquainted” sessions at the WSSDA Annual Conference in November.  Be sure to learn about the candidates and vote!

School board members will also elect officers and committee members at the Annual Conference.  The nominees for officer positions are: President-elect – Cindy McMullen (Central Valley-Spokane); Vice President – Rudy Edwards (Snoqualmie Valley) and Ted Thomas (Longview).  For candidate information and a list of committee positions subject to election, see our online voters guide and the October issue of WSSDA.ORG.

Weighted vote, IAC proposals go to Delegate Assembly

The WSSDA Board of Directors has endorsed a proposal to update the association’s weighted vote structure, but has stopped short of supporting a plan to make the association’s Interscholastic Activities Committee (IAC) a standing committee. Both proposals will go to the Delegate Assembly in November.

The board gave a “do pass” to the recommendation of the WSSDA Weighted Vote Task Force. The proposal that will go to the Assembly would create a new structure with 11 tiers of weighted votes. It would also establish a new threshold for invoking a weighted vote and create a mechanism for review in three years.  For more information, see the article on the WSSDA Web site.

Meanwhile, the board gave a “do not adopt” recommendation to another proposal that would write the IAC into the WSSDA bylaws as a standing committee.  The current standing committees, which are elected by Director Area, are Legislative, Resolutions and Nominations. IAC members are also elected but the committee is not designated a standing committee.  For more on this story, click here…

‘Paperless’ board meetings

Tired of lugging around that board book and stacks of documents for your school board meetings?  Think about “going paperless” with a new service soon to be offered by WSSDA.

The Kent, Monroe and Central Valley (Spokane) districts gave a thumbs up to paperless board meetings after piloting the service for WSSDA during the past year.  With the paperless system, board members have all meeting-related documents instantly available in electronic format.  The system eliminates the need for cumbersome board books and extensive photocopying.  It also provides a more convenient way for citizens to access public documents related to board meetings.

The paperless service will range from $600 t0 $800 per month, depending on the district’s enrollment.  For more information, contact WSSDA’s Marilee Scarbrough (360/252-3017).

Getting to Annual Conference

If you'd rather avoid driving and parking in downtown Seattle for Annual Conference, you’ve got options! For those flying in, Gray Line of Seattle at (206/626-6088, graylineseattle.com/airportexpress) can get you from SeaTac airport to the Seattle Westin. One-way fares start at $10.25 one way with reduced rates for the round trip. Taxis from the airport range from $28 - $40.  For those who are driving, you may want to “park and ride” with WSSDA’s shuttle service from Olympia and Ellensburg. If you’re interested in this option, please contact WSSDA’s Bill Warrington (360/493-9231). Every effort will be made to design a schedule to accommodate those who register in advance. (Please note: Safe parking locations will be arranged, but WSSDA will not be responsible for parked vehicles.)

October’s Regional Meetings

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