2021 Boards of Distinction are Announced
WSSDA is pleased to announce a record number of Boards of Distinction! Tied with the 2019 tally, WSSDA is recognizing 34 school boards as Boards of Distinction for 2021. All 34 boards will be honored on Nov. 19 during the WSSDA Annual Conference.
This year’s focus
In this third school year of shifting instructional models and continued health and safety challenges, this year’s Boards of Distinction application asked school directors to illustrate how their actions exemplified visionary leadership and helped their school districts close opportunity gaps.
To be awarded, boards had to show a clear link between their leadership in applying the Washington School Board Standards and closing gaps that impact student success.
Dedication, professionalism and tremendous leadership
“Despite historic challenges this year, school boards displayed tremendous leadership in bringing students back to in-person learning safely and creatively,” said WSSDA Director of Leadership Development Tricia Lubach. “Given the obstacles districts have had to face, I think being able to recognize so many boards this year is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our school directors.The boards that are being honored developed unique approaches that reflected the needs of their students and families and relied on careful analysis of data that indicated those needs.”
The 2021 Boards of Distinction
Large School Districts
(9,001+ student FTE)
| Auburn |
| Battle Ground |
| Clover Park |
| Everett |
| Federal Way |
| Issaquah |
| Lake Washington |
| North Thurston |
| Northshore |
| Pasco |
| Peninsula |
| Spokane |
| Tacoma |
| Yakima |
Medium School Districts
(2,001-9,000 student FTE)
| Anacortes |
| Arlington |
| Bainbridge Island |
| Bremerton |
| Ferndale |
| Kelso |
| Lakewood |
| Mount Vernon |
| Pullman |
| Quincy |
| Riverview |
| Shelton |
| Steilacoom |
| Walla Walla |
| Wapato |
| Washougal |
Small School District
(Up to 2,000 student FTE)
| Castle Rock |
| Goldendale |
| La Crosse |
| Mabton |
Thank you to our selection panel
WSSDA also extends its appreciation to the selection panel who read and scored the applications this year. “Our education partners at the State Board of Education and the Educational Service Districts were generous, once again, with their time and guidance in helping to select the boards that were honored,” said Lubach.
Boards of the Year to come
WSSDA will also announce Boards of the Year in the coming days, which will be selected from among the 34 districts above. Three boards will be recognized for particularly strong performance within their respective category of small, medium, and large school districts.