Policy & Legal Services

The key legal responsibilities of school directors include setting policy for their districts, ensuring quality educational programs, overseeing and evaluating the superintendent, adopting budgets, communicating with the community, and upholding laws governing public education. RCW 28A.150.230 – District school directors’ responsibilities, adds even more to that list.

In fulfilling those duties, WSSDA encourages board members to do so through the lens of the Washington School Board Standards, supported by professional development, and enhanced by the self-reflection made possible by taking a free Board Self-Assessment Survey.

How We Help with Law and Policy

Our primary products and services are listed below, but we also refer districts to the Council of School Attorneys, and provide answers to some common questions about board member duties and board operations.

WSSDA’s policy and legal services are a cost-effective way for school districts, especially those without their own in-house legal counsel or sufficient staff, to fulfill their obligations to the community while remaining in compliance with state and federal law.

Model Policy

WSSDA offers subscription-based access to its model policy library to help Washington school districts stay current with legislation, legal decisions, and emerging issues.

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Policy & Legal News

Policy & Legal News is a digital magazine published four times a year. WSSDA communicates through it important developments in school law and updates to its model policy library.

Policy Manual Review

This highly requested service helps boards keep their policies and procedures up to date with current law and rules governing K-12. Our staff can perform a policy manual review in chunks or in full.

Featured Policy

From Oath of Office to Wellness, we offer several “featured” model policies, procedures, and forms so they can be of benefit to every school board.

Legal Guidebooks

We have webpages and guidebooks about OPMA, Parliamentary Procedure, Conflicts of Interest, Basics of School Law, a Budgeting and Bargaining Manual, and more publications to support effective school board service.