Scores of levies pass with simple majority
Tuesday’s special election was the first since Washington voters scrapped the 60 percent supermajority requirement for school levies, and the impact is clear. WSSDA’s quick tally of preliminary election results from around the state shows approximately 60 levies passing with a simple majority. Another 50 are winning with approval rates of 60 percent or more (levies in three districts were failing). A caution – there are many more ballots yet to count. Watch for updated returns in the days ahead – the final results will be certified March 5. To see a listing of levy results statewide, open this PDF file from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Class of 2008 Graduation Toolkit now available
Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson has advised that an updated Class of 2008 communications toolkit is now available. The toolkit includes key dates, details about graduation requirements and options, ways to better communicate with students, families and the media, and handouts and presentations for districts to distribute and use with staff, parents and students. To access these materials, visit the OSPI Web site.

School director advocacy in Olympia and the ‘other’ Washington
School directors from around the state hit the marble running this past month, concentrating their advocacy efforts both in Olympia and Washington, D.C. Here at home, school board members and superintendents met for the annual WSSDA/WASA Legislative Conference, which included a ‘Day on the Hill’ for face-to-face meetings with legislators on key education issues. At the federal level, more than 30 school directors from Washington state joined NSBA’s annual Federal Relations Network conference, which included a day of meetings with members of the state’s Congressional delegation and key staffers to make the case for "fixing and funding" the No Child Left Behind Act. For more on the FRN conference, including links to our photo gallery, click here.

Register now for Opportunities Conference
Sign-ups are now being accepted for the 2008 Northwest Conference on Celebrating Educational Opportunities for Diverse Students, which takes place April 27-27 in Portland, Oregon. This conference, hosted by the school board associations of Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and Washington, showcases innovative programs and strategies that have been successful in improving student achievement across a variety of diverse student groups. Bring a team from your district – learn more here.

Nominations sought for Teacher of the Year
If have a stellar teacher who deserves special recognition, be sure to nominate him or her for the state’s Teacher of the Year program. Washington’s teacher of the year receives an award of $6000, special training and travel opportunities, plus the chance to be considered for national teacher of the year. Nominations must be submitted to your local educational service district by May 30. For more information, visit the OSPI Web site.

RETURN TO TOP