Who We Are

The “Members”

WSSDA is people. WSSDA is the 1,477 locally elected school board members across the state. They elect their own WSSDA Board of Directors and members of WSSDA standing committees.

All public school board members are WSSDA “members” by default. Per RCW 28A.345.020, “The membership of the school directors’ association shall comprise the members of the boards of directors of the school districts of the state.” That means all board-superintendent teams are eligible to take full advantage of the supports, services, and opportunities that WSSDA provides.

Think of WSSDA as a school director’s professional association, though it is also a state agency (without regulatory authority).

The Staff

To facilitate networking, professional development, and legislative advocacy, WSSDA employs a non-partisan staff of approximately 15. The staff provide services and supports for school board members with oversight from the WSSDA Board of Directors via WSSDA’s Action and Accountability Plan.

Platform

By a vote of its members, WSSDA has adopted the following:

Equity is foundational to the work of WSSDA. Educational equity can only exist when a student’s level of opportunity and achievement cannot be predicted based on race, characteristics, or circumstances. Therefore, we must identify and eliminate any discriminatory practices and prejudices within our state’s public education system.

All Washington school directors effectively govern to ensure each and every student has what they need to be successful within our state’s public education system.

WSSDA builds leaders by empowering its members with tools, knowledge and skills to govern with excellence and advocate for public education.

  • WSSDA’s organizational culture and structure continuously improves service to school directors and their districts.
  • WSSDA’s premier membership development cultivates and strengthens school director leadership skills and effective governance.
  • WSSDA’s advocacy fosters and promotes partnerships with other education leaders and stakeholders and initiates or enhances legislation to advance education policy.
  • WSSDA leads in policy development to promote safe, secure and respectful learning environments for each and every student.
  • WSSDA expands public awareness of local school district governance and public education.
  • WSSDA provides concise, timely information and meets the communication needs of its members.
  • WSSDA promotes innovation to address new educational advances and the future needs of students and school districts.
  • WSSDA leads in advocating, modeling and promoting equity to address the educational needs of each and every student.

  • Public education is the foundation to the creation of our citizenry, and locally elected school boards are the foundation to the success of public education.
  • High-functioning, locally elected school boards are essential to create the foundation for successfully impacting the learning, development and achievement of each and every student.
  • Ethical, effective and knowledgeable school directors are essential for quality public schools.
  • Focusing on and addressing educational equity is paramount to assure the achievement of each and every student.
  • Public school directors are best served through an innovative, responsive and flexible organization which provides exceptional leadership, professional learning and services in governance, policy, and advocacy.

Permanent positions represent WSSDA’s beliefs and values and indicate WSSDA’s stance on issues of widespread concern for its membership. Legislative positions are WSSDA’s call to action directed at the state Legislature. Learn more…