WSSDA
2008 Legislative Assembly

SEPTEMBER 26-27 • WENATCHEE CONVENTION CENTER

School directors will approve and prioritize WSSDA's legislative positions at the association's 2008 Legislative Assembly set for Sept. 26–27 at the Wenatchee Convention Center. The Legislative Assembly is a pivotal part of the association’s annual process of establishing legislative priorities for school boards, priorities that will become the focus of next year’s advocacy efforts.

Registration
Pre-registration is $195 through Sept. 5. If you are paying by district purchase order, you may register online or use the printable registration form. If you are paying by check, please register by mail using the printable registration form. Late registration is $220 and must be completed onsite at the Assembly. There will be a $50 charge for cancellations received after Sept. 5. No-shows are not eligible to receive refunds.

Accommodations
Hotel arrangements should be made directly with the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel at 800/663-1144 or 509/662-1234 (the hotel is adjacent to the Convention Center). When reserving, indicate that you are attending the WSSDA Legislative Assembly. Rates start at $103 single/double occupancy per night, excluding applicable taxes, on a space available basis. Rooms should be reserved no later than Thursday, August 28.

Program
The Pre-Assembly program begins at 1:00 p.m. Friday (Sept. 26), and will feature a number of presentations and panel discussions related to upcoming K-12 legislative issues. The Assembly convenes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 27). Program highlights include:

• K-12 funding and tax reform – Funding issues continue to be a major focus for school directors, especially in light of the budget reductions many districts had to undergo recently. The Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance continues to meet and will soon recommend potential major changes to basic education and funding formulas. The Assembly will review the progress of the task force and carefully consider school directors’ positions on funding changes. Additionally, the Assembly will assess school directors’ budget priorities and their position on a possible restructuring of the state’s tax system.

• Promoting student achievement – In the last few sessions, the Legislature has adopted positive changes to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, allowing students more retake opportunities, developing alternative assessments, and providing additional funding to assist struggling students. The Assembly will address these changes and debate other possible modifications to the state’s assessment system.

• School district governance – State-level discussions regarding the development of a public education accountability system continue. And this year the State Board of Education will provide its recommendations on accountability to the Legislature. Included in the discussions have been possible interventions, which could range from the withholding of state apportionment, to forced curriculum changes, to “takeovers” of districts. The authority of elected school boards is being challenged on many levels. The Assembly will consider the challenges facing local school board authority and discuss possible solutions.

Attendance and Participation
School directors and district staff are encouraged to attend the Assembly, although only school directors may address the assembly and only one director per district may vote on an issue. While School Board Legislative Representatives normally serve as delegates, it is permissible to appoint an alternate. Any of the districts' directors may serve as an alternate and if desired, a different alternate may be designated for each issue.

About the Assembly
The process of establishing WSSDA's legislative positions and priorities begins by asking school boards for proposals on legislative issues that affect K-12 education. WSSDA's elected Legislative Committee then meets twice during the summer to review and make recommendations on those proposals (and to suggest proposals of its own).

All proposed positions are forwarded to the full Legislative Assembly for action, and become WSSDA legislative positions for the coming year if adopted. Positions are also prioritized by the Assembly as a guide to the Legislative Committee and the WSSDA Board of Directors in finalizing a "package" of legislative priorities – issues which will receive the greatest emphasis in the association's advocacy efforts.

If you need additional information or assistance, or if you have a disability or a special need, please contact WSSDA's Sheila Chard at 360/252-3011.

#  #  #