All New Virtual Board Boot Camp

Now you can get learning on demand with WSSDA’s virtual Board Boot Camp! What to expect With registration you gain access to the seven-part course curriculum, which includes: Part 1: Welcome to Virtual Board Boot Camp Part 2: School Board Governance & the Governance…

Spring 2021 Direct Newsmagazine

Hard copies will reach mailboxes in the coming days. Until then, here is the electronic version of our Spring 2021 issue. To see past issues, visit wssda.org/direct.

Director Spotlight: Drayton Jackson

All school board members are also members of WSSDA. We hope that shining a spotlight on individual school directors will contribute to a sense of community and connectedness among WSSDA’s members. These “director spotlights” are also a way to share knowledge and reveal the variety of backgrounds…

Register for the Virtual Equity Conference

The WASA/WSSDA/AWSP Equity Conference is coming to you virtually on May 18-19, 2021. Over two half-days, this conference features amazing keynoters and headliners focusing on research-based high-leverage core practices necessary for organizational growth in leadership for equity. The buttons below will take you to the…

Insights from students, state officials and legislators—WSSDA’s Advocacy Videos Playlist

2021 Legislative Session YouTube

The WSSDA strategic advocacy team has recorded many videos during the 2021 legislative session, and you can now get them all in one place! There are 20 different YouTube videos featuring WSSDA staff with school board members, students, legislators and education partners. We are excited…

Student Advocate Spotlight: Stella Keating

Stella Keating is a Tacoma Public Schools student advocate, and the first transgender teen to ever testify to the U.S. Senate. A sixteen-year-old high school sophomore, Stella is an aspiring politician who helped launch The GenderCool Project—an awareness campaign turned movement that spotlights positive…

WSSDA Sends Letter to the Governor and Secretary of Health Urging New Social Distancing Guidance

This afternoon, WSSDA Board President Rick Jansons and WSSDA Executive Director Tim Garchow sent a letter to the governor and Washington’s secretary of health urging them to quickly reevaluate current social distancing guidance for Washington’s schools in light of the latest recommendation by US…

Legislative Session Week 10

We are more than halfway done with the 2021 session. Proposals for our state’s three budgets (operating, transportation, and construction) will be unveiled next week. The Washington State Wire released this insightful piece about the complexities of the budget process. You can also stay up-to-date by…

Proposal Window opens March 15

position proposal window is open

Once a year, school board members have the opportunity to submit proposals to amend existing positions or create new ones. The 2021 window for submitting proposals opens March 15 and closes May 14. Learn more about WSSDA positions. Here’s the approximate 2021 timeline from proposal to adoption: March…

Register for OnBoard Today

WSSDA’s virtual OnBoard is building skilled leaders and effective boards. Registration is open and limited, so register today! Have you heard of OnBoard? OnBoard is an interactive learning experience designed for both individual school directors and board-superintendent teams. OnBoard’s aim is to help school…