In 2010, 15 school boards were honored as WSSDA Boards of Distinction: Auburn, East Valley (Spokane), Evergreen (Vancouver), Franklin Pierce, Issaquah, Mount Baker, Mukilteo, North Mason, Puyallup, Renton, South Kitsap, Sunnyside, Vancouver, White River and West Valley (Spokane). In addition, Vancouver was honored as Board of the Year.
The Boards of Distinction awards program honors school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards. The standards, developed and adopted by WSSDA in 2009, promote researched-based governance practices that lead to high levels of student and district performance.
Award applicants are required to submit an essay and supporting evidence to demonstrate how they are putting the new standards into practice. In 2010, applicants were asked to address the following benchmarks (one from each of the five standards):
- Conducting board and district business in a fair, respectful and responsible manner.
- Articulating the conviction that all students can learn and the belief that student learning can improve regardless of existing circumstances or resources.
- Providing for the safety and security of all students and staff.
- Committing to continuous improvement in student achievement at each school and throughout the district.
- Collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
Applications are evaluated by an independent review panel, and awards are given to those who receive at least 70 points out of a possible 100.
The following is a list of WSSDA Boards of Distinction Award recipients for 2010. Included is a link to each board’s essay:
- Auburn Janice Nelson, Ray Vefik, Craig Schumaker, Carol Helgerson, Lisa Connors. Kip Herren, Superintendent. Essay
- East Valley (Spokane) Kerri Lunstroth, Roger Trainor , Mitch Jensen, Mike Harris, Heidi Gillingham. John Glenewinkel, Superintendent. Essay
- Evergreen (Vancouver) Joan Skelton, Victoria Bradford, Troy Thomas, Todd Yuzuriha, Michael Parsons. John Deeder, Superintendent. Essay
- Franklin Pierce Reva Palmer, Cole Roberts, John Harstad, Mary Sherman, Mark Baumgarten. Frank Hewins, Superintendent. Essay
- Issaquah Jan Woldseth Colbrese, Brian Deagle, Suzanne Weaver, Chad Magendanz, Marnie Maraldo. Steve Rasmussen, Superintendent.Essay
- Mount Baker Ellen Dodson, Jim Freeman, Russ Pfeiffer-Hoyt, David Smith, Trish Hart. Rick Gantman, Superintendent. Essay
- Mukilteo Judy Schwab, Kevin Laverty, Geoff Short, Anna Rice, Jeff Thorp. Marci Larsen, Superintendent. Essay
- North Mason George Fouts, Art Wightman, Laura Boad, John Campbell, Mike Gaudio. David Peterson, Superintendent. Essay
- Puyallup Greg Heath, Diana Seeley, Cindy Poysnick, Pat Donovan, Chris Ihrig. Tony Apostle, Superintendent. Essay
- Renton Dave Merrill, Al Talley, Lynn Desmarais, Todd Franceschina, Pam Teal. Mary Alice Heuschel, Superintendent. Essay
- South Kitsap Keith Garton, Patty Henderson, Christopher Lemke, Kathryn Simpson, Jay Rosapepe, Sarah Brown (Student Representative). Dave LaRose, Superintendent. Essay
- Sunnyside Lorenzo Garza, Steve Carpenter, Rocky Simmons, Miguel Puente, Michelle Perry. Rick Cole , Superintendent. Essay
- Vancouver (Board of the Year) Dale Rice, Mari Greves, Edri Geiger, Mark Stoker, and Kathy Gillespie. Steven Webb, Superintendent. Essay
- White River Susan McGuire, Jean Lacy, Denise Vogel, Cassie Pearson, Mike Jansen. Tom Lockyer, Superintendent. Essay
- West Valley (Spokane) Jim Williams, Bob Dompier, Pam McLeod, Bob Wentworth, Sam Andrews, Shannen Tai Mei Wan (Student Representative), Jaymee Vaughn (Student Representative). Polly Crowley, Superintendent. Essay