Your chance to shape state math standards
If you’ve been looking for ways to get involved in discussions about the future of the state’s mathematics standards, now’s your chance. Next month, the State Board of Education will be seeking feedback as it develops recommendations on changing K-12 math standards for the elementary, middle and high school levels. Focus group meetings will be held July 18 in Spokane, July 23 in Pasco and July 24 in Renton. To find out more, including how to sign up, click here.

Wanted: Your district’s ‘Signs of Success’
One of the many great features of the WSSDA Annual Conference is the sharing that takes place among boards and districts. Participants get a chance to learn about success stories and how those "promising practices" might be applied in their own districts. In keeping with this tradition, the 2007 Conference will serve up a new feature called "Signs of Success." We’re asking districts to create and submit a poster illustrating your favorite success story. The posters will be displayed throughout the Conference to showcase the outstanding ideas, achievements and programs taking place in our public schools. Learn more here.

Scholarships available for Annual Conference
Did you know that the Washington School Boards’ Educational Foundation offers scholarships to school board members and others attending their first WSSDA Annual Conference? The scholarships are part of the Foundation’s continuing efforts to provide development opportunities to school directors and other education leaders in the state. For information and applications, visit the Foundation on the Web.

Registration now open for the WSSDA Legislative Assembly
Nearly 80 proposals for WSSDA legislative positions will be up for consideration when delegates to the association’s annual Legislative Assembly convene in Yakima this September. The proposals, submitted by school boards and the WSSDA Legislative Committee, will be voted on and prioritized by the Assembly in preparation for the association’s advocacy efforts in 2008. Be sure your district is represented at this important meeting. Click here for information and online registration.

Finance measures pass in 9 districts
Congratulations to the following districts for winning voter approval of finance measures in the May special election: Chewelah, Deer Park, Evaline, Federal Way, Nine Mile Falls, Prescott, Queets-Clearwater, Rainier and Sumner.

‘08 presidential primary impacts special elections
If your district is considering using next February’s special election for submittal of a finance measure, be aware that the election date has changed. State law requires that the special election be held in conjunction with Washington’s 2008 presidential primary, which is now scheduled for Feb. 19. This also means that the deadline for filing resolutions for the February special election has been moved to Dec. 28 of this year.

Got technology?
School boards are invited to take part in the fourth annual Digital School Boards Survey, which examines how school boards use technology to better communicate with their communities and govern their districts. The survey, co-sponsored by the National School Boards Association and the Center for Digital Education, should be completed no later than July 20. Click here to participate.

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