SBE seeks applicants for CORE 24 task force
The State Board of Education is forming a CORE 24 Implementation Task Force and school board members are encouraged to apply for appointment. The task force will be studying and making recommendations regarding what strategies will be needed to implement the CORE 24 High School Graduation Requirements Framework approved by the SBE last July. Applications are due by close of business Monday, Dec. 1. For details and an application form, click here.

SBE ballots due Wednesday
A reminder to school directors in Western Washington: Ballots for the election of SBE Position #4 must be returned or postmarked no later than this Wednesday (Nov. 26). Also, be sure you are using the ballots that were re-issued by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Learn more here…

WSSDA’s 2009 legislative priorities approved
Transforming and fully funding the state’s K-12 finance system will be among WSSDA’s top legislative priorities when the gavels fall for the start of the 2009 session this coming January. Acting on the recommendations of the association’s Legislative Committee and Legislative Assembly, the WSSDA Board of Directors adopted a package of priority issues during its meeting in Spokane last week. The package backs the Full Funding Coalition’s proposal for redefining and fully funding basic education while urging the Legislature to address unfunded mandates and other critical issues. Details are on the WSSDA Web site.

Accountability resolution adopted by WSSDA board
Reinforcing another position included in the ’09 legislative package, the WSSDA Board of Directors has adopted a resolution affirming its support for a K-12 accountability system that respects the "ultimate authority" of local school boards. Approval of the resolution comes as the State Board of Education is preparing to provide the Legislature with guiding principles and key components for a new statewide accountability system. The resolution acknowledges that the State Board has been responsive to several of WSSDA’s concerns about an effective accountability system, but also emphasizes the need to recognize the funding challenges and operational constraints placed on local districts. A copy of the resolution is available here…

Learning from our award winners
WSSDA’s Boards of the Year and Diversity Awards not only recognize great accomplishments, they provide a way to share promising practices with school district leaders around the state. This year’s award recipients — Kent, Sunnyside, Bridgeport and Kelso — submitted thoughtful descriptions of their efforts to promote student achievement and diversity/multicultural education. Be sure to read both the Boards of the Year essays and the Diversity Award essay.

WSSDA elects officers, board, committees
Congratulations to Martha Rice (Yakima), Karen Madsen (Everett) and Deborah Heart (Goldendale), who have been sworn in as the association’s officers for 2009. School directors chose Madsen as president-elect and Heart as vice president during balloting at the Annual Conference this past week; Rice was elected president-elect last year and automatically becomes WSSDA President for 2009. For complete results, including those elected to the WSSDA board and committees, click here.

Two more open government workshops in December
Feedback and turnout have been excellent during the first two workshops held this month on the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act. Two more are on the schedule for early next month, both in western Washington. The first is in Lakewood (Dec. 2), followed by Mount Vernon (Dec. 3). These workshops are co-sponsored by WSSDA and a number of other local government associations. Registration and details are available here…

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