Record 52 School Boards Recognized as 2026 Boards of Distinction

A record 52 school boards have earned 2026 Boards of Distinction recognition from the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), demonstrating a strong commitment to effective governance and improved outcomes for students.

“This year’s applications showed Washington school boards leading with clarity, courage, and a steady focus on students,” said Dr. Heather Curl, WSSDA’s director of leadership development. “Reviewers were consistently impressed by boards that demonstrated an understanding of governance as setting the ‘what’ — direction, policy, and budget — while superintendents and staff carry out the ‘how.’”

The annual Boards of Distinction program recognizes school boards that demonstrate governance practices aligned with the Washington School Board Standards and are supported by self-reflection through WSSDA’s free board self-assessment survey. The award application asks boards to reflect on their efforts to address opportunity gaps, the evidence of their impact, and what they’ve learned along the way.

Putting Students at the Center

A common theme among this year’s awardees was a commitment to using data to better understand and address differences in student outcomes.

“Many of the boards put equity at the center, using disaggregated data to see which students are and are not thriving, and then aligning budgets, policies, and strategic plans to close opportunity gaps,” Curl said. This work included a focus on students with disabilities, multilingual learners, students from low-income families, students of color, and tribal students.

Student voice was another recurring theme. Students were at the table through board representatives, roundtables, focus groups, and exit interviews, and the results were clear: with an increased sense of belonging among students came positive effects on attendance and academic success.

The awardees also demonstrated a commitment to listening beyond the boardroom. They engaged families, staff, industry representatives, tribal communities, and other community partners. They used what they heard to inform difficult decisions involving levies, budget deficits, and superintendent transitions.

Across the applications, one other common thread was a culture of continuous learning. Boards emphasized professional development, regular progress monitoring, and honest reflection as essential practices for evaluating their effectiveness and sustaining improvement.

Meet the 2026 Boards of Distinction

Boards of the Year to Be Announced at WSSDACON

One board from each size category will receive additional recognition as a Board of the Year. The awardees will be announced during WSSDA’s annual conference, Nov. 19–21 in Spokane.

Why Boards of Distinction Matters

Effective school board governance plays a critical role in creating the conditions for student success. The Boards of Distinction program encourages boards to put research-based governance practices into action, assess their effectiveness, and continually improve.

Grounded in the Washington School Board Standards, the program challenges boards to focus on long-term student outcomes, examine disaggregated data to identify opportunity gaps, and align their governance decisions with the needs of all students.

The program is more than recognition. It’s an opportunity for school boards to reflect on their work, learn from evidence, and strengthen their leadership on behalf of the students and communities they serve.