The legislative and permanent positions, together with the bylaws and operating policies, form the governing foundations of WSSDA.
Washington’s 1477 school directors are all members of the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). Through democratic processes that occur via the assembly of school board members annually, two types of positions are established for WSSDA. These positions, combined with WSSDA’s legislative priorities, form WSSDA’s advocacy platform. See our “engagement cycle” graphic to learn how the platform is built.
Permanent Positions | Legislative Positions |
These positions represent WSSDA’s beliefs and values and indicate WSSDA’s stance on issues of widespread concern for its membership. The permanent positions are advisory to individual school boards and the greater community. Learn more… | Legislative positions are WSSDA’s call to action directed at the state Legislature. These member-ratified positions define and direct the work of WSSDA’s staff as they engage with legislators in Olympia to support public education. Learn more… |
Each spring, school directors have the opportunity to “spruce up” WSSDA’s advocacy platform. This year, the window to do so is April 17-May 12, 2023. WSSDA’s platform consists of legislative and permanent positions. To keep the platform relevant and effective, all school board members are encouraged to first review WSSDA’s positions before recommending revisions or additions to the platform.
Currently, WSSDA has 239 positions that have been adopted by its membership, which consists of all 1,477 school directors statewide. When the window opens, WSSDA gives directors an online form to submit recommendations, if they have any. The recommendations that emerge from the “spring cleaning” of positions are studied by WSSDA’s Legislative and Resolutions committees and then put in front of members for a vote at the WSSDA General Assembly. The assembly takes place each fall.