Publications
The Washington State School Directors’ Association offers these guidebooks, manuals and publications. If you don’t see the materials you are looking for, please contact the WSSDA office at 360-890-5781 or mail@wssda.org. For information on subscription services, see Policy Services and OnCall.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest: A Guide for School Board Members and Superintendents, rev. 2016
Reviews basic conflict of interest issues, with emphasis on structuring district policies and board practices to comply with state law when board members or superintendents have an ongoing personal financial interest in their district’s operations.
Staff Contact:
Kelsey Winters
Policy and Legal Services Coordinator
360-522-0903
The Basics of School Law: A Guide for School Board Members, rev. 2010
Provides an introduction and overview of some of the legal issues school directors may encounter in their board service. Topics covered include Legal Requirements for School Board Meetings, Policy Adoption and the Law, Financial Conflict of Interest, Personnel, School Districts and Collective Bargaining, and Student Rights and Responsibilities.
Staff Contact:
Kelsey Winters
Policy and Legal Services Coordinator
360-522-0903
WSSDA Budgeting and Bargaining Manual
A resource for school directors as they navigate their roles and responsibilities related to school district budgeting and collective bargaining. Production of this publication was informed by unprecedented participation levels in feedback sessions throughout Washington at WSSDA Regional Meetings following the 2018 collective bargaining season.
Educational Acronyms and Terminology 2021
This guide is a handy reference listing the acronyms school directors are most likely to hear.
Effective Advocacy for School Directors
Advocacy is one of the primary responsibilities of a school board member. This 62-page manual covers the fundamentals of advocacy in the community and with state and federal legislators/policymakers. Includes tips on organizing advocacy programs and working with the news media.
Get on Board: Information flyer for school board candidates
This short, two-page flyer explains what a school board does, what characteristics make for a great school board member, and how to file to run for the local school board.
The 2021 filing period is May 17-21.
Open Public Meetings: A Guide for School Board Members and Superintendents, rev. 2016
Focuses on provisions of the State Open Public Meetings Act, and addresses other legal requirements and nonlegal issues surrounding effective and responsible public meetings.
Staff Contact:
Kelsey Winters
Policy and Legal Services Coordinator
360-522-0903
Serving on Your Local School Board: A Guide to Effective Leadership
For new and prospective school board members. Topics include the governance role of school boards, the board-superintendent relationship, leadership techniques, ethics, employee relations, legal requirements, and education reform.
Washington School Board Standards
Standards for School Boards and School Directors, developed by the WSSDA Board Standards Task Force.