I’m an Executive Assistant

Welcome!

Executive assistants (EAs) are essential partners in Washington school districts. This page is dedicated to supporting your important work — because when you succeed, boards succeed, and that helps students thrive.

Your Role in School Board Governance

Executive assistants help boards fulfill a wide range of responsibilities and ensure regular business meetings run smoothly while complying with OPMA. They serve as the bridge between the superintendent and the board, between the district and the public, and between governance policy and day-to-day operations.

This role sits at the intersection of relationships and information. Success depends on cultivating trust with the superintendent, supporting the board effectively, and ensuring critical materials reach the right people at the right time.

What Supporting the Board Includes

  • Calendaring & Planning — Managing the annual board calendar — from meeting dates and policy review cycles to recognition events and reporting deadlines — keeps governance on track throughout the year.
  • Board Meetings & Procedure — Preparing agendas, understanding Robert’s Rules of Order, and navigating the Open Public Meetings Act are foundational skills that support effective, legally sound board meetings.
  • Onboarding New Board Members — Welcoming new school directors and guiding them through their first weeks and months is one of the most impactful things an executive assistant does, setting the tone for a productive term.
  • Policy Management — Tracking policy updates from WSSDA, supporting annual reviews, and keeping the board informed about changes to state law and model policies are critical governance responsibilities often supported by EAs.

Onboarding: Key to New Director Success

When new school directors join the board, the executive assistant often becomes their first guide. A thorough and welcoming onboarding experience makes a lasting difference — not only for the individual director but also for the board’s cohesion and effectiveness.

  • Confirm their contact information, set up their district email and communications.
  • Orient new members to your district’s board meeting platform (BoardDocs, etc).
  • Review the Open Public Meetings Act and Robert’s Rules of Order, if used in your district.
  • Complete required legal filings — including the Oath of Office, Public Disclosure Commission paperwork, and county certification.
  • Update the district website with the member’s bio, photo, and term information.
  • Order name plates and other materials for meetings and public spaces.
  • Schedule introductory meetings with Cabinet members.
  • Create a new member orientation notebook with meeting schedules, board policies, the strategic plan, and key contacts.

State Resources

Policy Management and Compliance

Executive assistants play an important role in helping districts remain compliant with evolving laws, policies, and governance requirements.

Receive our Latest Updates

We email weekly or as-needed updates for school boards. Make sure you and your board-superintendent team receives them by updating contact info with WSSDA, including a preferred mailing address. Our physical mailings are few, typically a post card to remind about our two major events (General Assembly and WSSDACON) and copies of our newsmagazine that comes out about three times a year.

Update Contact Info for You or your Board

Peer Networks

One of the most valuable things an executive assistant can do is connect with peers who understand the unique demands of this role. Regional networks are forming across Washington for sharing resources, asking questions, and learning from one another’s experiences. Educational Service Districts (ESDs) play an important role in supporting these connections. If you’re not connected to a regional network of peers, reach out to your local ESD to ask about opportunities in your area.

Find Your ESD

Knowledge to Support Your Work

WSSDA offers a range of resources, services and opportunities that are valuable for both executive assistants and the board members you support. We encourage you to explore what’s available and share relevant materials with new and returning board members throughout the year.

  • eClippings: Get the latest local and national education news, research, op-eds, and select blog posts delivered daily to your inbox Monday through Friday.
  • Publications: Including the new Leading with Purpose and the School Board Standards, these resources are essential for new and veteran directors alike.
  • Legislative & Policy Updates: Timely information about bills, model policy revisions, and changes to state law that affect school governance.
  • Finance & Equity Trainings: Offered annually at the conference and through virtual sessions.
  • Regional Meetings: Spring gatherings to foster networking and learning that are held in all 11 WSSDA regions (“Director Areas”) throughout Washington.
  • Member Update: These emails provide school directors with timely, easy-to-scan list of events, resources and opportunities.

Executive Assistants at Annual Conference

Each November, WSSDA brings together school board members, superintendents, and education leaders from across Washington State for one of the largest gatherings in K–12 governance. We are committed to making the conference meaningful for executive assistants and expanding opportunities designed with your work in mind, for example:

  • EA-focused pre-conference sessions
  • Breakouts on board support and governance
  • Networking opportunities with your peers across the state
  • Professional development opportunities

Executive Assistants’s Presenting at #WSSDACON

We hope executive assistants from across Washington will consider presenting at our annual WSSDACON, the biggest networking and learning event of the year for Washington’s school board members. Sessions on onboarding, calendaring, meeting management, governance support, and board dynamics are valuable opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Presenting is an excellent way to:

  • Share successful practices
  • Grow your leadership skills
  • Build professional connections
  • Support fellow executive assistants statewide
Submit a presentation proposal