WSSDA Positions

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.  

Two Types

Permanent PositionsLegislative 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…

Updated Annually

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.

What’s the process?

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. 

Recorded March, 2022.

Platform Revision Timeline for 2023

  • January – April
    School boards regularly discuss WSSDA positions and consider proposing a revision to WSSDA’s advocacy platform when the window opens in April.
  • March – April
    School boards take action at a board meeting to finalize and approve any proposal they intend to submit.
  • March 27
    Webinar offered to discuss the platform revision process. (5-6 pm)
  • April 17
    Window opens for WSSDA platform revision proposals.
  • May 12
    Window closes for WSSDA platform revision proposals.
  • May 13 – 18
    Staff organize and forward proposals to appropriate committee.
  • May – June
    Legislative and Resolutions Committees review proposals.
  • June – August
    Staff builds the General Assembly handbook to display all proposals.
  • August 15
    Handbook released.
  • Early September
    Emergency Proposal Window.
  • September 22 – 23
    General Assembly, where boards vote on proposals to revise WSSDA’s platform.
  • September 26 – October 16
    Boards review revised platform and prioritize WSSDA positions.
  • November 3
    Legislative priorities announced.
  • November 3 – January 10
    Share priorities with legislators.
  • January 10, 2024
    First day of legislative session. Incorporate WSSDA positions and priorities into your advocacy.