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Chimacum Board’s Persistent Focus Pays Off

With a relentless focus on engagement, the Chimacum School District has improved student attendance, academic achievement, behavior, and community support. The district nestled in the scenic Olympic Peninsula is WSSDA’s 2025 Board of the Year, Small-Sized District. ‘Relentless Focus’ Brings Results Chimacum leaders and staff credit their gains in school…

WSSDA Issues Request for Proposals for Strategic Planning Facilitation

The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) invites qualified professionals to submit proposals to facilitate a comprehensive strategic planning process for the organization. About This Opportunity WSSDA is embarking on a strategic planning process to clarify organizational priorities, strengthen services to school boards, and position the association for continued impact…

Read Our Winter 2026 Direct Newsmagazine

WSSDA Direct collects success stories from school districts around the state, recaps or promotes upcoming events, and offers insights into some of the vital practices of school boards. The hard copy with beautiful annual conference photos will arrive in school directors’ physical mailboxes soon, but until then, here’s the digital…

Beyond the Meetings: Understanding and Appreciating Your School Board

Every January, communities across the country take a moment to recognize the people who help guide and shape their local public schools: school board members. In Washington state and beyond, School Board Recognition Month offers a chance to understand what these folks do, why their work matters, and how we…

Virtual Leadership Academy Offered February 4, 5, and 7

Designed with feedback from school directors, Leadership Academy bundles professional learning opportunities into a predictable, annual schedule. With in-person (summer) and virtual (winter) offerings, this approach helps school boards effectively plan and budget their time for high-quality training experiences. Three Trainings, Four Options Board members can register for any of…

WSSDA Announces 2025 Boards of the Year

The Chimacum, Oak Harbor, and Spokane school boards have earned Board of the Year recognition from the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). These boards were selected from among a record 49 Boards of Distinction honored at the WSSDA Annual Conference. This top honor recognizes a board that has demonstrated…

WSSDA Welcomes Two New Team Members

The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is excited to welcome two new staff members whose skills, passions, and professional experiences will strengthen our mission to support Washington’s locally elected school boards. With these additions, WSSDA’s professional staff now includes 14 full-time and two part-time employees. Meet Cynthia, Legislative Policy…

WSSDA Announces 49 Boards of Distinction for 2025

The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Boards of Distinction awards. The awards recognize school boards that have demonstrated effective governance aligned with the Washington School Board Standards and show evidence of improving student outcomes. Since its inception, the Boards of…

Three ways to Safeguard Public Education in 2026

On October 30, the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) completed a months-long journey when its board adopted the association’s 2026 legislative priorities. Early in the year, school boards proposed changes to WSSDA’s positions, then voted on those proposals, followed by prioritizing positions that end up as a one-page priorities…

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