Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions
At Annual Conference you can attend breakout sessions on a variety of important and trending topics hosted by decorated public education figures across the state. You’ll leave with the knowledge you came for and some you didn’t even know you needed.
The list below is still growing as we finalize details. See also the conference agenda for general session and special meeting schedules.
Register for Annual Conference today!
Pre-Conference
Wednesday November 18
| Session Title | Date/Time | Session Description | Presentation Team |
| Board Boot Camp | 11/18/20 12:30-5 p.m. | Being newly elected or appointed to the school board is both exciting and daunting. School directors have many responsibilities, and the first couple years of board service can bring a steep learning curve. Board Boot Camp is a great place to start. Hear from experienced school directors as they cover the basics of board service and answer questions. You’ll also connect with new board members from around the state. Superintendents and veteran school directors are encouraged to attend with their new board members for the best experience. | Amy Cast, WSSDA Consultant; Director, Northshore School District; Lori Oviatt, WSSDA Consultant; Director, Riverview School District |
| Law Conference | 11/18/20 12:30-5 p.m. | Engage with experienced school law attorneys on the pressing legal issues facing public school districts as they work to reopen schools in the midst of pandemic and societal unrest. Learn about the developments, analysis, and insights informing the legal landscape of public education today. Speakers will help you identify pitfalls and minimize the risk of investigations and costly litigation in your district. This is a can’t-miss learning opportunity tailored specifically to K-12 leaders. | Abigail Westbrook, Director of Policy and Legal Services, WSSDA |
| Leading for Equity | 11/18/20 12:30-5 p.m. | Talking about equity is important, but actualizing it requires leading for it. School boards set a tone (and example) with an impact that ripples beyond school buildings to every corner of the community. Therefore, promoting and modeling diversity, equity and inclusion throughout a school district starts with school directors at the governance level. In this session, you’ll learn why having an equity policy is important from board members who have adopted one and understand the processes they used to create it. Understand how to attract, support and empower existing and future board members of color. Leave with samples of equity policies, as well as the tools, knowledge, and desire to bring them to your own districts. | Mary Fertakis, WSSDA Consultant; State Board of Education; Angelica Alverez, Director, Highline School District; Tricia Lubach, Director of Leadership Development, WSSDA |
| Virtual Exhibition | 11/18/20 5-7 p.m. | Be sure to connect with our exhibitors in the exhibit portal! | |
| Opening General Session & Keynote Amy Campbell | 11/18/20 6-7 p.m. | Building Community Through Inclusion: 1 in 5 people experience some form of disability. The range of impact of the disability varies greatly from person to person, and each individual’s experience with a disability is unique. Too often, the largest impact on a person’s experience is other people’s perception of their capabilities. Over time, community expectations are shaped by misguided past practice, socialization from curricula and media, and personal exposure. In this powerful keynote, Amy shares about her own experiences unraveling how she understands disability, as well as the unlearning and relearning she did as a teacher to better serve all students. Community leaders have the unique opportunity to redefine the way we see and serve each student, defined by what they can do, rather than what they cannot. Amy brings passion for innovation and inclusion that promises to help you shine a light on what you are already doing that works and where districts could make changes that will improve outcomes for all learners. | Amy Campbell |
| Student Talent: Jordan Mattox | 11/18/20 6-6:05 p.m. | Jordan Mattox is sharing a poem from her winning recitation at the National Poetry Out Loud competition. | Jordan Mattox |
Conference
Thursday, November 19
| Session Title | Date/Time | Session Description | Presentation Team |
| Leading for Inclusion | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | The experiences and perspectives of decision-makers can inhibit or expand the opportunities of community members. In this breakout session, you will get a unique opportunity to develop your understanding of educational equity for students with disabilities and find ways to support inclusionary practice from a leadership position. You will come away with ideas for how to support learners by prioritizing shared ownership and gaining a better understanding of how the best practices we are using during COVID-19 closures will be useful as we move into the next phases of public education, one where we are better equipped to build systems that serve all learners and strengthen and sustain community. | Amy Campbell, Washington State Teacher of the Year, Camas School District |
| Governance Frameworks: What are policy governance, balanced governance and coherent governance? | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | Most boards operate within a “traditional governance” structure, but there are other frameworks to consider. Learn about various governance frameworks and hear from board members about the pros and cons. | Rick Maloney, School Director, University Place School District; Sandy Hayes, Director, Northshore School District |
| Pursuing Equity and Culturally Responsive Practices in Arlington Public Schools | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | The pursuit of equity is a journey in Arlington and is characterized by ongoing struggles and victories. We will share what is working and the challenges we are facing. Hear about district decisions and actions that have been implemented and the results so far. | Chrys Sweeting, Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools; Judy Fay, School Board Director, Arlington Public Schools; Mary Leveque, School Board Director, Arlington Public Schools; Mike Ray, School Board Director, Arlington Public Schools; Marc Rosson, School Board Director, Arlington Public Schools |
| Reflect | Reimagine | Relaunch | REGAIN a scale-adjusted Levy Lid | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | Did the post-McCleary legislative “fix” leave your school with declining fund balances and the need to cut programs? What options, legislative and otherwise, do small schools have to remain financially afloat when they cannot collect voter-approved funds? Join this session to discuss this issue and brainstorm solutions. | Christopher Greacen, Director, Lopez Island School District; John Helding, Former School Board Chair, Lopez Island School District; Jennifer Poole, Director, Lopez Island School District |
| Supercharge your Board Meetings | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | How a board meeting is organized has more impact on your work as a school board director than you think. Hear from two WSSDA Leadership Cadre members how your board can streamline some parts of your meetings – but open up others – to boost collaboration and efficiency. | Amy Cast, Director, Northshore School District; Lori Oviatt, Board Chair, Riverview School District |
| Systemic approach to mental health and social emotional learning | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | At this session, participants will receive information regarding the implementation of social-emotional learning strategies, mental health supports, and collaboration with community providers. Discussion will provide how Board Policy and Values led to the strategic implementation of student supports and how the district collaborated with community partners to streamline services. | Jon Holmen, Superintendent, Lake Washington School District; Matt Gillingham, Associate Superintendent of Student and Community Services, Lake Washington School District |
| The Power of Student Voice | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | This session provides attendees with an opportunity to learn about student voice: how to use it, when to use it, and why it’s so | Logan Endres, Strategic Advocacy Coordinator, WSSDA; Rashaad O’Neal, Leadership Development Coordinator, WSSDA; Erin Jones, Independent Education and Systems Consultant; Greg Barker, Executive Director, Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL); James Layman, Program Director, Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) & Student panel |
| The Value of Universal Screening for Social-Emotional Needs | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | Join Snoqualmie Valley’s team to learn from their path towards universal screening for student social-emotional needs. With a King County grant, SVSD has been able to extend the reach and depth of its universal screening efforts and enhance the robustness of its MTSS framework. | RJ Monton, Associate Director Of Behavioral Health, Snoqualmie Valley School District; Megan Botulinski, Principal of Snoqualmie Middle School, Snoqualmie Valley School District; Sarah Delmissier, Success Coordinator at Chief Kanim MS, Snoqualmie Valley School District; Dr. Rob Manahan, Superintendent, Snoqualmie Valley School District |
| Things Don’t Take Time, They Take Courage | 11/19/20 7:15-8:15 a.m. | The truth is, we don’t make decisions; we make commitments. Alexandria breaks down the elements that go into a human decision, and it’s not what you were taught in your average psychology textbook. Courage is the catalyst. Commitment is the glue. Time is simply a witness that watches us do or not do. Discover the not-so-average ingredients to make decisions with ease, turn your dreams into a reality, and make the impossible possible. Let’s play in the field of possibility. | Alexandria Agresta, Chief Purpose Pioneer, Purpose Pioneers |
| Virtual Exhibition | 11/19/20 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Be sure to connect with our exhibitors in the exhibit portal! | |
| General Session & Keynote Address with Mike Rayburn | 11/19/20 8:30-9:45 a.m. | Every major invention, accomplishment and victory in human history began with the simple, almost childlike curiosity of a “What If…?” question – “What if we could? I know we can’t, but what if we could?” International keynote artist, Mike Rayburn, will share three simple, powerful tools that took him from playing empty bars to headlining Carnegie Hall (eight times!). They work for anyone. And everyone. Always. | Mike Rayburn |
| EP&O and Bond Election Planning: Communicating Funding Needs | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Explore the board’s role in directing operating and capital funding policy. The NTPS team will share their process of community engagement, financial/bond planning, and multiyear capital facility forecasting. | Dave Newkirk, Director, North Thurston Public Schools; Dr. Debra Clemens, Superintendent, North Thurston Public Schools; Monty Sabin, Assistant Superintendent, North Thurston Public Schools; Trevor Carlson, Managing Director, Piper Sandler & Co.; Leslie R+E1:E9ogers, Senior Vice President of Education, Strategies 360 |
| What Now? | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | More details coming soon! | Mike Rayburn, Keynote Speaker |
| Progress by way of the Pandemic–Time for the Cyber Safety Audit | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Schools pivoted to deliver emergency online learning and provided additional wi-fi, loaner devices and video instruction. Now it’s time to ensure students are safe online, even when learning at home. In collaborative groups, we’ll discuss how to mitigate risks, and prepare, respond and recover from issues utilizing the Child Cyber Safety Audit. | Lisa Honold, Director, Center For Online Safety |
| Redefining Equity and Student Success | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Clover Park partnered with 12 key stakeholders in our community to redefine student success by asking this question, “Imagine what a student could achieve if he/she felt fully supported by a community committed to his/her success?” Hear what the police chief, college president, garrison commander of JBLM and leaders of the diverse people groups of Lakewood are doing to respond to that question. It has created a transformative shift in our district and community. | Dr. Marty Schafer, Director, Clover Park School District; Ron Banner, Superintendent, Clover Park School District; Grant Twyman, EDI Specialist, Clover Park School District; Anthony Veliz, Business Owner; Liza Klumpar, Director, Eatonville School District |
| Stressed out students: one district’s wake up call and response | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Do you know how stressed out your students are? Surveys show 10th and 12th graders have high rates of anxiety, depression and suicide ideation. Riverview School District found out the hard way with a wake-up call of multiple deaths within a nine-month period. What did RSD do to support their students, staff, and community through this challenging time? Come learn about the resources, tools and steps to build a supportive community for all. | Lori Oviatt, Board Chair, Riverview School District; Carol VanNoy, Board Director, Riverview School District; Dr. Anthony Smith, Superintendent, Riverview School District; Sierra Owens, Student Rep, Riverview School District |
| The 3 Ships: Relationships, Leadership and Partnerships | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Each member of the school board-superintendent team is responsible for both themselves and their team. The 3 Ships focuses on our RelationShips, LeaderShip, and PartnerShips to help you grow and develop, resulting in being happier both as a person and as a leader. | Randy Russell, Superintendent, Freeman School District; Annie Keebler, Board Chair, Freeman School District; Bill Morphy, Board Vice-Chair, Freeman School District; Neil Fuchs, Board Member, Freeman School District |
| The Basics of State Budgeting & What to Expect in 2021 Session | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | This session will cover how the state prepares and adopts its biennial budget and how it forecasts revenue and major expenditures. We’ll look at where state funds are allocated and what drives those expenditures. Then, given those constraints, we will discuss what to expect from the 2021 session that adopts the 2021-2023 biennial budget. | Marissa Rathbone, Director, WSSDA |
| The History We Never Learned: Washington State History Through a Racial Equity Lens | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Many of the equity issues policymakers face today have their roots in intentional laws, policies, and practices that impact every sector. A hard truth is that many discriminatory policies in education were created and upheld by superintendents and school boards. Knowing our history equips School Directors to use their policy-making and resource allocation authority to eliminate structural barriers that continue to negatively impact historically-marginalized students and communities today. This session provides an overview of a WSSDA research project that recounts Washington State’s history from an equity perspective. | Mary Fertakis, WSSDA Consultant; State Board of Education |
| The imperative for affordable, high speed internet access for everyone | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | Distance learning has placed school districts at the forefront of providing high-speed internet for all students. This should not be the responsibility of K-12 education, but rather the internet should be a utility for all, just like electricity or water. WSSDA legislative members have been working on solutions with the WA Dept. of Commerce’s Broadband Office. Learn what’s happening and how you can become a part of the movement. | Cindy McMullen, Chair, WSSDA; Sandy Hayes, Board President, Northshore School District and WSSDA Leadership Consultant; Rebecca Stillings, Vice-Chair, WSSDA Leg Committee, Board Member, Rainier School District; Luckisha Phillips, Board Member, Federal Way School District and WSSDA Leg Committee Member; Russ Elliott, Director, Office of Broadband and WA Department of Commerce |
| “Literacy: More than just reading, just students, or just a library” | 11/19/20 10:15-11:15 a.m. | In early 2020 as schools pivoted to online/blended services, some immediately warned of the “COVID-19 slide.” Research shows that access to books and a modest amount of daily reading can negate any loss students might experience. Hear how some communities rose to the challenge and made literacy a community thing. | Dr. Gene Kerns, Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Renaissance |
| Interactive Networking Groups | 11/19/20 11:15-4:30 p.m. | More details coming soon! | |
| Awards Ceremony General Session | 11/19/20 12:15- 1 p.m. | Presenting: Diversity Awards, Boards of Distinction Awards, and Boards of the Year Awards | Brenda Rogers, WSSDA President and Director for Bethel School District; Tim Garchow, Executive Director, WSSDA; Tricia Lubach, Director of Leadership Development, WSSDA |
| Student Talent: Jordan Mattox | 11/19/20 12:15-12:20 p.m. | Jordan Mattox is sharing a poem from her winning recitation at the National Poetry Out Loud competition. | Jordan Mattox |
| Virtual Exhibition | 11/19/20 1-4:30 p.m. | Be sure to connect with our exhibitors in the exhibit portal! | |
| WSSDA Onboard: Deciphering District Budgets | 11/19/20 1:30-4:30 p.m. | Get to know the structure and basic terminology used in the district budget. Become familiar with the five funds used in district accounting and learn about the system used to code district revenue and expenditures. Making sense of “Section A” of a district budget and unlocking the basics of the budget coding system will allow you to decipher many types of information. The knowledge you gain will help you ask key questions when the board is involved in developing and monitoring the district budget. | |
| Small Schools Forum | 11/19/20 1:30-2:30 p.m. | One of the unique aspects of small school districts is their strong sense of community. Schools are often the heart of small communities, with much of the activity centered in and around them. Join this live forum to share solutions for current challenges, including declining enrollment, student and staff mental health, and navigating politicized environments in a non-partisan way. | Elissa Dyson, Director, Onion Creek School District and WSSDA Small Schools Advisory Committee; Ronda Litzenberger, Director, Eatonville School District and WSSDA Small Schools Advisory Committee Chair; Randy Russsell, Superintendent, Freeman School District; Tricia Lubach, Director, Quincy School District, Director of Leadership Development, WSSDA |
| Replay of 7:15 a.m. breakout sessions | 11/19/20 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Watch the breakout sessions you may have missed! | |
| Dinner Break | 11/19/20 4:30-6 p.m. | Finish up work for the day, say hello to your family, enjoy dinner…whatever is needed! | |
| Legislative Listening Tour | 11/19/20 4:30-6 p.m. | More details coming soon! | Marissa Rathbone, Director of Strategic Advocacy, WSSDA |
| Hot Topics with Tim Garchow & Chris Reykdal | 11/19/20 6-7 p.m. | WSSDA Executive Director Tim Garchow and WA State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal will field questions from the audience on a variety of hot topics facing WA State and K-12. | Tim Garchow, Executive Director, WSSDA; Chris Reykdal, Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI |
| Replay of 10:15 a.m. breakout sessions | 11/19/20 6-7 p.m. | Watch the breakout sessions you may have missed! | |
| Director Area Election Meetings | 11/19/20 7:05-8:05 p.m. | Join other board members from your Director Area to nominate and vote for WSSDA board directors and committee representatives and discuss topics of interest to your group. Zoom links for each DA coming soon! |
Friday, November 20
| Session Title | Date/Time | Session Description | Presentation Team |
| Virtual Exhibition | 11/20/20 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Be sure to connect with our exhibitors in the exhibit portal! | |
| WSSDA Onboard: Tackling Financial Soundness | 11/20/20 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Learn about the key budget drivers for districts and the Financial Health Indicators developed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Examine the concepts underlying each indicator, identify how district profile scores are determined, and learn to navigate OSPI’s website to access your district’s profile. All this information will help you provide board-appropriate guidance for financial soundness when developing and monitoring the district budget. | |
| A Vital Position: Student Representatives on School Boards | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | This session provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about how school boards can engage, inform, and benefit from having student representatives. | Logan Endres, Strategic Advocacy Coordinator, WSSDA |
| How Eatonville is maintaining Achievement, Staffing, and Financial Capacity in these challenging times | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Eatonville School District has achieved recognition for graduation rates of 96% over the last five years and is focused on data-driven decision making. Explore how a small district has leveraged historical and comparative data, introduce multiyear projections, and used performance, testing, and achievement data to improve results for all children. | Krestin Bahr, Superintendent, Eatonville Schools; Jeff Carew, Managing Director, Forecast5 Analytics, Inc.; Kim Knight, Director of Business and Human Resources, Eatonville Schools; Liza Klumpar, Director, Eatonville Schools |
| Instructional Review: Addressing Barriers to Student Achievement | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Instructional Review is a process to analyze the instructional core in order to improve student learning at scale. In an Instructional Review session, leaders engage in observational classroom experiences. The team identifies areas of strength and improvement and derives an action plan clearly identifying high-leverage strategies and district support areas. | Ian Saltzman, Superintendent, Everett Public Schools; Peter Scott, Ed. D., Deputy Superintendent, Everett Public Schools; Sally Lancaster, Ed.D., Regional Superintendent, Everett Public Schools; Jeanne Willard, Ed.D., Regional Superintendent, Everett Public Schools; Larry Fleckenstein, Regional Superintendent, Everett Public Schools |
| Large Schools Caucus | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Board directors of school districts with more than 14,500 students are invited to join in a conversation regarding the challenges and successes facing these large school systems. | Tim Garchow, Executive Director, WSSDA; Harlan Gallanger, Director, Issaquah School District; Siri Bliesner, Director, Lake Washington School District |
| Laying the Foundation for Courageous Conversations | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Board members from the Northshore School District outline how their implementation of community engagement best practices and a structured approach to civility in the boardroom laid the groundwork to support challenging conversations within the district. | Amy Cast, Director, Northshore School District; Sandy Hayes, Director, Northshore School District |
| Leading as Board Chair | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Serving as board chair/president is a great way to expand your leadership capacity while moving your district forward. There are specific skills and knowledge that help you provide the leadership necessary to lead efficient meetings with collaborative teams. A panel of experienced board chairs will share their wisdom. | Tricia Lubach, Director of Leadership Development, WSSDA |
| Moving the Needle for Black, Latinx, AI/AN, and L-I Students | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | How are schools reducing or eliminating achievement gaps? Through an educational landscape and systems analysis across Washington’s 295 districts, 31 “outlier” schools were identified then engaged in gaining a deep understanding of the highly effective continuous improvement efforts positively influencing outcomes for Black, Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native, and/or low-income students. | John Steach, Chief Executive Officer, The Center For Educational Effectiveness; Greg Lobdell, Chief Research Officer, The Center for Educational Effectiveness; Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel, Deputy Director of US Programs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation |
| School Wellness Best Practices for Academic Success | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Research shows that students perform significantly better academically in school environments that effectively support student nutrition and physical activity. This session reveals key strategies schools can implement to provide better wellness supports to their students and enhance educational impacts. | Bianca Smith, Nutrition Specialist, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| Using the School Improvement Planning Process to support Educational Equity for English Language Learners | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Participants will engage in a focused approach to School Improvement Planning that includes using a limited data set to frame problems, protocols for developing consensus among a school team, and a process to link school improvement plans and inquiry cycles across multiple schools. We will engage you in a process you can use with school/district teams to analyze data, identify opportunities for improvement in relation to the Washington School Improvement Framework, specifically for English Language Learners, establish shared responsibility among a team to improve outcomes, and bring teams together from different schools to develop common School Improvement Plan goals and work together on cycles of inquiry throughout the year. Participants will leave with protocols to engage school and district teams in collective inquiry and reflection related to school improvement. | Robert Manahan, Superintendent, Snoqualmie Valley School District; Geoff Doy, School Board Member, Snoqualmie Valley School District; Dr. Ginger Callison Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Snoqualmie Valley School District; Dan Schlotfeldt, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Snoqualmie Valley School District; Monica Philllips, Associate Director of Equity and Categorical Programs, Snoqualmie Valley School District |
| Election and Finance Basics: Information Every School Board Director Should Have | 11/20/20 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Piper Sandler & Co. will provide school directors with background knowledge to enable thoughtful discussions surrounding levy, capital and bond elections. Piper Sandler partners will lead directors through the planning process, discuss recent election trends and share communication strategies that lead to successful outcomes. | Ryan Swanson, Vice President, Piper Sandler & Co.; Trevor Carlson, Managing Director, Piper Sandler & Co |
| Stretch Break | 11/20/20 10:15-11 a.m. | Take a break and have a stretch! | |
| Beyond the Walls of Education to Increase Success | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | We will discuss the present situation in South King County in individuals and families struggling with meeting basic needs and paying bills, which can lead to homelessness. We will discuss how the home situation can overflow into the success or lack of success for kids going to school. | Leslie Hamada, School Board President, Kent School District; Pat Gray, Founder, KentHope |
| Equity and Access Caucus | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Any and all WSSDA members are invited to the annual Equity and Access Caucus meeting. Each caucus provides time to share best practices in educational equity. | Tim Garchow, Executive Director, WSSDA; Tricia Lubach, Director of Leadership Development, WSSDA |
| Governing your district through Board Meetings | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Your board meeting is the platform to share your message and accomplish the most important work. How do you do that? Join us to learn how to use your agenda and annual board calendar to keep your meetings focused on student well-being and achievement while effectively governing your district. | Patty Wood, WA State Board of Ed; CEO of Education Northwest; Cindy McMullen, Director, Central Valley; WSSDA Leadership Consultant; WSSDA Past President |
| Inclusionary Practices: Moving Toward System Coherence | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Inclusion is the belief and practice that all students have the right to meaningfully access academic and social opportunities in general education settings. Research consistently supports a positive link between access to instruction in general education settings and improved outcomes for students. The State Legislature made a significant investment, through the 2019-21 Biennial Budget, to assist educators in planning for and implementing inclusionary practices. Board directors will be provided with information about the inclusionary practices professional development being delivered by our respective associations/organizations to increase outcomes for students with disabilities and to build coherence within districts throughout the state.about the inclusionary practices professional development being delivered by our respective associations/organizations to increase outcomes for students with disabilities and to build coherence within districts throughout the state. | Helene Paroff, WASA Inclusionary Practices Project Director; Nasue Nishida, CSTP Executive Director; Tricia Lubach, WSSDA Director of Leadership Development; Chris Espeland, AWSP Inclusion Project Manager; Cassie Stevens, NWESD 189 Inclusionary Practices Coordinator; Annie Lamberto, WEA Special Programs Director |
| Keeping Up With Another Year of Property Tax Law Changes and Trends, With COVID-19 Implications | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Learn how changes in the property tax law to $2.50 have impacted school districts and review the effect of past recessions on property tax collections and election results. | Cory Plager, Senior Vice President, D.A. Davidson & Co.; Jon Gores, Managing Director, D.A. Davidson & Co.; Trisha Schock, Executive Director for Admin. Svcs, North Central Educational Service District; Jim McNeill, Bond Attorney, Foster Garvey, PC |
| LIT (Library Informational Technology) Programs Matter! | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | In our technology-driven, misinformation age, students need to be able to interpret information and verify sources at lightning speed. Required in every District by Washington State, it is imperative to have Library Information Technology Programs that rise up and meet those ever-changing needs! LIT programs are proven to increase student achievement and boost graduation rates! But what is a LIT program? How is your District meeting the state requirements? What have WA districts done to create and support successful LIT programs? Come and share your success stories! Not sure? We can help! Together we can make all of our WA School Districts LIT programs the best in the Evergreen State! | Hillary Marshall, School Library Division Chair, Washington Library Association; Ryan Grant, Teacher Librarian, Michael Anderson Elementary School; Craig Seasholes, Teacher Librarian, Dearborn Park International Elementary School; Mary-Catherine McElroy, Teacher Librarian, Ogden Elementary School |
| One district’s journey to a race and equity policy | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Quincy School District is a rural district in central Washington with 3,000 students, 87% of whom are Latinx. The board and district leaders embarked on a journey to adopt an equity policy nearly two years ago. The process grew to include students, staff, community members and district leadership, who ultimately crafted a Race & Equity Policy that is a unique reflection of the community and the only race & equity policy in eastern Washington. | Susan Lybbert, Director, Quincy School District; Chris Baumgartner, Director, Quincy School District; Nik Bergman, Asst. Superintendent, Quincy School District; Tricia Lubach, Director, Quincy School District, Director of Leadership Development, WSSDA; Eduardo Diaz, Student Rep, Quincy School District |
| Inclusionary Leadership: A Path to Liberation | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | More details coming soon! | Kurt Hatch and Chris Espland, AWSP |
| Using a data strategy to evaluate school closure impacts | 11/20/20 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | At this session, participants will receive information regarding the implementation of a data strategy (Microsoft PowerBI) and how the data strategy was used during the COVID-19 school closures to make rapid decisions to support the academic, social, emotional and health needs of students. | Jon Holmen, Superintendent, Lake Washington School District; Tim Krieger, Executive Director of Data, Research and Accountability, Lake Washington School District |
| Utilizing Design Build for Your Capital Projects | 11/20/20 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | How to use the Design Build project delivery method to successfully leverage limited capital funds and reduce the time for overall project delivery. | Brian Aske, President, Design Build Institute Of America, Northwest Region; Morris Aldridge, Executive Director of Planning and Construction, Tacoma Public Schools; Steve Tatge Executive Director, Project Delivery Group University of Washington |
| Lunch Break | 11/20/20 12:15-12:45 p.m. | Take a stretch, grab some lunch, and come back for a dynamic general session with Ijeoma Oluo! | |
| General Session with Keynote Ijeoma Oluo | 11/20/20 12:45-1:45 p.m. | More details coming soon! | Ijeoma Oluo |
| Breakout Session with keynote speaker Ijeoma Oluo | 11/20/20 2-3 p.m. | More details coming soon! | Ijeoma Oluo |
| Replay of 9:15 a.m. breakout sessions | 11/20/20 2-3 p.m. | Watch the breakout sessions you may have missed! | |
| WSSDA Onboard: Vision Aligned Budgeting | 11/20/20 2-5 p.m. | See the significant connection between the allocation of resources and progress toward your district’s vision. Explore three board commitments that research shows to be essential in the development of budget guidelines that are aligned with the board’s vision. These guidelines, along with financial soundness guidelines, are central to developing, monitoring and when necessary, adjusting the district budget. Review legally required budget status reports and customized district budget supplements that specifically support the board’s responsibility for monthly monitoring. All this information will help you provide board-appropriate guidance in budget development, ask key questions during monthly budget monitoring, and maintain the district’s vision through the budget. | |
| 2021 Legislative Session: A New Reality in Defense Mode | 11/20/20 3:15-4:30 p.m. | This session provides an opportunity for conference attendees to hear perspective & legislative strategy ideas from WSSDA & partner organizations for the 2021 legislative session. | Marissa Rathbone, Director of Strategic Advocacy, WSSDA |
| Replay of 11:00 a.m. breakout sessions | 11/20/20 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Watch the breakout sessions you may have missed! | |
| Dinner Break | 11/20/20 4:30-7 p.m. | Take a break for dinner but be sure to come back for the President’s Reception! | |
| After Hours President’s Reception: Social Hour, Election Results & Close of Conference | 11/20/20 7-8 p.m. | We will announce election results and celebrate as we wrap up our first ever virtual conference! | |
| After Hours Student Reps’ Hang Out | 11/20/20 7-8:30 p.m. | More details coming soon! | |
| Networking groups | 11/20/20 8-8:30 p.m. | More details coming soon! |