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Virtual Leadership Academy Offered February 4, 5, and 7

Designed with feedback from school directors, Leadership Academy bundles professional learning opportunities into a predictable, annual schedule. With in-person (summer) and virtual (winter) offerings, this approach helps school boards effectively plan and budget their time for high-quality training experiences. Three Trainings, Four Options Board members can register for any of…

WSSDA Announces 2025 Boards of the Year

The Chimacum, Oak Harbor, and Spokane school boards have earned Board of the Year recognition from the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). These boards were selected from among a record 49 Boards of Distinction honored at the WSSDA Annual Conference. This top honor recognizes a board that has demonstrated…

WSSDA Welcomes Two New Team Members

The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is excited to welcome two new staff members whose skills, passions, and professional experiences will strengthen our mission to support Washington’s locally elected school boards. With these additions, WSSDA’s professional staff now includes 14 full-time and two part-time employees. Meet Cynthia, Legislative Policy…

WSSDA Announces 49 Boards of Distinction for 2025

The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Boards of Distinction awards. The awards recognize school boards that have demonstrated effective governance aligned with the Washington School Board Standards and show evidence of improving student outcomes. Since its inception, the Boards of…

Three ways to Safeguard Public Education in 2026

On October 30, the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) completed a months-long journey when its board adopted the association’s 2026 legislative priorities. Early in the year, school boards proposed changes to WSSDA’s positions, then voted on those proposals, followed by prioritizing positions that end up as a one-page priorities…

Applications Open for the 2026 Leadership WSSDA Program

Since its inception nearly 20 years ago, Leadership WSSDA has helped more than 200 school directors strengthen their leadership skills and deepen their impact. Designed for school directors with at least two years of experience, the program builds personal and professional capacity while connecting participants with peers and state education…

Strategic Planning Service

Strategic planning is essential in education because of the numerous stakeholders—students, families, community members, and staff—who are invested in educational outcomes. WSSDA offers a workshop that provides an overview of the school board’s role and two different tiers of service to support school districts with developing a strategic plan. Unique…

School Finance Trainings

Build your expertise with this training series on public education funding and budgeting in Washington state. The first three learning experiences are foundational while the fourth and fifth, Tackling Financial Soundness and Vision-Aligned Budgeting, expand upon the others. Each training session takes about three hours.