Learn about shaping WSSDA’s platform with this online tutorial

School directors, do you want to help shape WSSDA’s advocacy? Now is the time to meet with your board, discuss any potential changes you would like to suggest for the WSSDA platform, and put any proposals to a vote. Local school boards have the…

School Board Legislative Representatives Lead the Way

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School boards select a president or vice president, but did you know they also select a legislative representative or “leg rep”? School board leg reps monitor legislation that could impact public schools and inform their board of emerging issues and advocacy opportunities. They also…

A Unifying Voice: School Board Directors Plan Advocacy for Washington’s 2023 Legislative Session

You need to be an optimist to advocate. And in about 60 days, a lot of optimists will converge on Olympia when Washington state’s 2023 legislative session begins. When it does, Washington’s 1,477 school board members will have a one-page document to complement their…

School Directors Vote on WSSDA Positions

General Assembly

On September 30 and October 1, school directors statewide participated in the Washington State School Directors’ Association’s (WSSDA’s) annual General Assembly. Directors discussed the pros and cons of over 70 different proposals for adding, subtracting, and updating the contents of WSSDA’s legislative and permanent…

Advocacy Happens Year-Round: Join our Advocacy Insights Discussion

Are you a school board member who hopes to be more effective in advocating for your district’s needs? Do you wish you had stronger relationships with your school board colleagues across the state? Would you like to know how WSSDA’s advocacy can complement and…

Relevance, Clarity, and Representation—Why School Directors have April to Propose Revisions to WSSDA’s Platform

Once a year, all the boards of public school districts in the state can propose revisions to WSSDA’s advocacy platform. For 2022, the revision window will be open April 1-20. Revision occurs if a board submits a proposal in the spring, and WSSDA members…

Insights from students, state officials and legislators—WSSDA’s Advocacy Videos Playlist

2021 Legislative Session YouTube

The WSSDA strategic advocacy team has recorded many videos during the 2021 legislative session, and you can now get them all in one place! There are 20 different YouTube videos featuring WSSDA staff with school board members, students, legislators and education partners. We are excited…

Student Advocate Spotlight: Stella Keating

Stella Keating is a Tacoma Public Schools student advocate, and the first transgender teen to ever testify to the U.S. Senate. A sixteen-year-old high school sophomore, Stella is an aspiring politician who helped launch The GenderCool Project—an awareness campaign turned movement that spotlights positive…

Legislative Session Week 10

We are more than halfway done with the 2021 session. Proposals for our state’s three budgets (operating, transportation, and construction) will be unveiled next week. The Washington State Wire released this insightful piece about the complexities of the budget process. You can also stay up-to-date by…

Legislative Session Week Eight: Bill Highlights

This week, WSSDA has a list of bills that our members may be interested in tracking.  If you or your district would like to provide input, you can do so in a variety of ways. Learn more about how to participate in the legislative process!  Flexibility…