OnBoard at Annual Conference

OnBoard at Annual Conference

OnBoard, WSSDA’s interactive learning experiences designed especially for WA school directors, is available at no extra cost as part of your regular conference registration.

Facility limitations allow a maximum of 64 participants in each classroom, so early registration is encouraged. Once the 64-attendee limit has been met, registration will close. Registered attendees will receive a ticket for the class when they check in at the registration booth at conference and must be checked into the class five minutes prior to start time, or their seat may be given to someone on the waitlist.

Educational Equity

The educational equity courses count toward satisfying state-legislated requirements for school directors.

Foundations of Cultural Proficiency
2:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 16, 2023

Culture is to people what water is to fish. We tend not to think about culture because it surrounds us all the time. In this learning experience participants will explore culture within the context of a school district and its impact on students, staff, and families. By considering the opportunities and benefits of cultivating cultural proficiency throughout a school district, school directors will be equipped to promote cultural proficiency within the unique context of their own districts.

Advancing Inclusion Through Belonging
2:00-4:30 p.m.
Friday, November 17, 2023

Belonging is an essential condition of an inclusive environment. Here, participants will explore the relationships between belonging, engagement, dignity, and student growth/success more deeply. The significance of shaping and maintaining a district-wide culture of dignity across all dimensions of difference is emphasized.

Identity Discrimination: A Look at Federal Involvement
1:45-4:15 p.m.
Saturday, November 18, 2023

All individuals have multiple identities that contribute to how they are perceived and treated by others. Uncover the complexities of federal involvement over time in efforts to eliminate these various types of identity discrimination. Explore historical images, significant federal laws, and several representative case studies that have impacted current anti-discrimination progress. The knowledge you gain will inform your participation in the unique work of your district’s commitment to equity.

District Finances

Deciphering District Budgets
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 16, 2023

Get to know the structure and basic terminology used in the district budget. Become familiar with the five funds used in district accounting and learn about the system used to code district revenue and expenditures. Making sense of “Section A” of a district budget and unlocking the basics of the budget coding system will allow you to decipher many types of information. The knowledge you gain will help you ask key questions when the board is involved in developing and monitoring the district budget.

Vision-Aligned Budgeting
2:15-5:15 p.m.
Friday, November 17, 2023

See the significant connection between the allocation of resources and progress toward your district’s vision. Explore three board commitments that research shows to be essential in the development of budget guidelines that are aligned with the board’s vision. These guidelines, along with financial soundness guidelines, are central to developing, monitoring and when necessary, adjusting the district budget. Review legally required budget status reports and customized district budget supplements that specifically support the board’s responsibility for monthly monitoring. All this information will help you provide board-appropriate guidance in budget development, ask key questions during monthly budget monitoring, and maintain the district’s vision through the budget.