WSSDA
2010 Legislative Assembly

September 24-25 • Hilton Hotel • Vancouver, Washington

School directors will approve and prioritize WSSDA's legislative positions at the association's 2010 Legislative Assembly set for Sept. 24–25 at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Washington. The Legislative Assembly is part of the association’s annual process of establishing legislative priorities that will become the focus of the association's advocacy efforts in the coming year.

Registration
Pre-registration is $195 through Sept. 3. 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. After Sept. 3, registration is $220 and must be completed onsite at the Assembly.

There will be a $50 charge for cancellations received after Sept. 3. No-shows are not eligible to receive refunds.

Accommodations
Hotel arrangements should be made directly with the Hilton Vancouver Hotel at 360.993.4500 or 1.800.HILTONS. When reserving, indicate that you are attending the WSSDA Legislative Assembly. Rates start at $126 single/double occupancy per night, excluding applicable taxes, on a space available basis. To receive the conference rate, rooms should be reserved no later than Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Program
The Pre-Assembly program begins at 1:00 p.m. Friday (Sept. 24), and will feature a number of presentations and panel discussions related to upcoming K-12 legislative issues. (A detailed agenda will be posted once it is finalized — see the Preliminary Assembly Handbook for a preliminary agenda).

The Assembly will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 25). A list of proposals and positions up for consideration is available in the Preliminary Assembly Handbook.

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 Sheila Chard in the WSSDA office at 360.252.3011.

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