WSSDA Boardcast

Candidate filings now open for SBE election

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 14:56:49 -0700

School directors in western Washington will vote on one position on the State Board of Education this fall. Position 3, currently held by Connie Fletcher of Issaquah, is up for a special election to complete an unexpired term. Declarations of candidacy are now being accepted by OSPI. For forms and election information, visit the OSPI website.

Sullivan appointed WSSDA Director of Governmental Relations

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 14:54:27 -0700

WSSDA Executive Director Jonelle Adams has announced the appointment of Marie Sullivan as the association’s new director of governmental affairs. Learn more about Marie in this online article.

WSSDA Online Learning: Putting Your Data to Work for Student Achievement

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 14:52:52 -0700

WSSDA is pleased to offer a new program of online learning for school directors around the state, geared toward building an online community in which participants strengthen their knowledge and skills through presentations, conversations and sharing. Our first course, which will take place Sept. 8 to Oct. 6, will focus on understanding and using data to improve student achievement. Details and online registration are available here.

Legislative review committee to act on school district size/cost study

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:21:43 -0700

WSSDA is again reminding state policymakers that decisions about school district consolidation should be made locally and not mandated from Olympia -- and that those decisions should be based on the best interests of the affected students. The comments were made in response to a preliminary report on the relationship between school district size and costs, a report that will be up for action by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee June 16. Learn more here.

Register now for the WSSDA Legislative Assembly

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:20:18 -0700

There will be plenty of K-12 issues on the agenda when the state Legislature reconvenes in January. With that in mind, be sure your district is represented when the WSSDA Legislative Assembly meets in September to craft the association's legislative positions for 2011. The Assembly will be held Sept. 24-25 in Vancouver, Washington. Information and online registration can be found on the WSSDA website at www.wssda.org/assembly.

2010 Legislative Summary now available

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:19:29 -0700

WSSDA's comprehensive summary of the recently concluded 2010 legislative session is now complete and available online. The summary provides a recap of education-related bills that passed and failed, as well as a detailed breakdown of state budget revisions approved by lawmakers. Printed copies of the summary are being sent to school board legislative representatives and district superintendents statewide. An electronic copy is available for viewing and download on the WSSDA website.

Apply now for WSSDA's Boards of Distinction awards

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:17:45 -0700

Entries are now being accepted for WSSDA's annual Boards of Distinction awards program, which recognizes board/superintendent teams that are putting the Washington School Board Standards into practice for the improvement of student learning. Applications are due Sept. 27, 2010. Detailed instructions and a printable entry form are available in our Awards and Recognition section.

Call for WSSDA legislative proposals

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:15:56 -0700

It's time to start developing proposed WSSDA legislative positions for the next session in 2011. The WSSDA Legislative Committee has just issued its annual call for proposals and materials have been mailed to all school board legislative representatives around the state. We've also posted instructions and submittal forms on the WSSDA Web site. Be sure to set aside time for your board to discuss legislative issues for the coming year. Submittals are due by May 28.

RTTT meetings coming in April

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:11:53 -0700

There will be two meetings in April to review a proposed Memorandum of Understanding that districts would approve to join in Washington state's forthcoming RTTT application. The meetings will take place April 8 in Renton and April 12 in Spokane. Both meetings start at 6 p.m. and both will be available as a videoconference on the K-20 network. For details, click here.

Deadline nears for comment on Common Core Standards

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:14:04 -0700

If you have feedback on the proposed Common Core Academic Standards, now is the time to offer it; the public comment period ends this Friday (April 2). To provide input online, go to www.corestandards.org.

Input sought on CORE 24 implementation issues

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:52:49 -0800

The State Board of Education’s CORE 24 Implementation Task Force is meeting next Monday (March 15) as it works to finalize recommendations to the SBE. In advance of that meeting, task force member Karen Madsen is asking for feedback on five issues under consideration. Karen has created an online survey, which can be accessed here. For Karen’s report on recent activities of the task force, click here.

Draft common core standards released

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:51:51 -0800

Now is your opportunity to weigh in on proposals from the national Common Core State Standards Initiative. Led by governors and chief state school officers, the project has just released draft standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. The draft standards and public comment information are available at www.corestandards.org. Public feedback will be accepted up to April 2.

Resources for creating an online learning policy

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:50:02 -0800

WSSDA’s recent Webinar "Creating an Online Learning Policy" is now available as on-demand video on our Web site. This 50-minute presentation from WSSDA’s Marilee Scarbrough and OSPI’s Dr. Judy Margrath-Huge provides succinct information to help your board develop an online learning policy by the Aug. 1 deadline. To replay the Webinar, click here (a sample policy and procedure are available here). Also, OSPI’s Digital Learning Department is offering a series of online trainings on this topic. Visit the DLD Web site for more information.

Spring Regional Meetings underway

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:49:13 -0800

WSSDA’s spring series of Regional Meetings got underway this week with a great session in Renton. Next up is Port Angeles (3/13), followed by Tumwater (3/15), Gig Harbor (3/16), Stevenson (3/17), Chattaroy (3/23), Granite Falls (4/8), Pasco (4/19), Sunnyside (4/20), Ellensburg (4/21), Cashmere (4/26) and Colfax (4/27). These meetings are a great opportunity to learn about current issues and network with your colleagues. Be sure to register and attend a meeting near you.

PDC F-1 due next month

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:47:51 -0800

School board members: If you held office in 2009 and your district has 1,000 or more registered voters, you must file a Personal Financial Affairs Statement with the state Public Disclosure Commission no later than April 15. The form, commonly known as the F-1, can be filed electronically, by mail or in person. Forms and detailed instructions can be found on the PDC Web site. If you have questions, contact the PDC at 360.753.1111 (toll-free 877.601.2828) or pdc@pdc.wa.gov.

Applications now being accepted for WSSDA Executive Director position.

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Tue, 2 Mar 2010 09:36:37 -0800

The Washington State School Directors’ Association is seeking an accomplished, dynamic leader to serve as its next Executive Director. Applications are now being accepted via the Association's executive search consultant, Hagel and Company. For a full position profile and application information, visit the Hagel Web site

WSSDA Board update: Executive Director position to be advertised in March.

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:18:34 -0800

Applications for WSSDA's Executive Director position will be accepted starting in early March following a special WSSDA Board meeting to refine the position profile. Details here.

WSSDA IAC recommends positions on WIAA Handbook amendments

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:13:51 -0800

WSSDA's Interscholastic Activities Committee has adopted recommended positions on the 11 proposed rulebook amendments that will be under consideration by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association this spring. Learn more here.

WSSDA Board meets this Saturday.

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:39:04 -0800

The WSSDA Board of Directors will hold a special meeting this Saturday (Feb. 20) at the Radisson Gateway Inn in SeaTac. The primary purpose of the meeting is to continue work on the executive director search. Details -->

Adopting an online learning policy

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:55:35 -0800

School districts are required to adopt an online learning policy no later than Aug. 1 of this year. WSSDA has just published a sample policy and procedure to assist school boards in this effort. The documents and detailed background information are now available on our Web site.

Workshops for new school directors

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:54:04 -0800

WSSDA Is offering a half-day new board orientation workshop at six locations around the state – three on Feb. 20 and three on Feb. 27. This is a great opportunity to get up to speed fast on the essentials of successful school board service. For details and online registration, visit the WSSDA Web site.

WSSDA Executive Director search update

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:52:47 -0800

WSSDA will select a new executive director by the end of May under a timeline finalized during the WSSDA Board of Directors’ meeting last month. The search is progressing on a number of fronts, including the selection of an executive search consultant and appointment of a search committee. Learn more here.

WSSDA shares national Shannon Award honors

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:51:38 -0800

WSSDA is among five state school board associations selected to receive the prestigious Thomas A. Shannon Award from the National School Boards Association. The associations were honored for their collective work on the Targeting Student Learning 5-State Project, which focuses on helping school boards craft policies that directly relate to improving student achievement. Read the story here.

Sign up now for WSSDA Spring Regional Meetings

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:49:52 -0800

Twelve WSSDA Regional Meetings will be held around the state starting the second week in March. This is your opportunity to hear about legislative issues and education hot topics while networking with your colleagues. The schedule and online signup are now available here.

Iseminger plan endorsed by WSSDA Board

d.brine@wssda.org | Washington State School Directors' Association — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:47:38 -0800

The K-12 education finance plan developed by Lake Stevens School Director David Iseminger got another boost this past week as the WSSDA Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the proposal. Iseminger's plan lays out five core elements for transitioning the state to full funding of basic education over the next eight years -- without creating a new tax. For more on the board's action and the Iseminger plan, click here.