Leadership Development
WSSDA offers training programs, events and tools developed to maximize leadership and governance abilities for improved student learning. These services provide practical strategies and resources to help your board and superintendent function as a high-performing team. Because WSSDA is the only organization representing the…
Policy & Legal
WSSDA can help your district stay on track with the most current policies and legal developments. We offer a variety of services and publications to support effective school district governance. Free Member Services Staff members are available via telephone and email to provide timely…
Strategic Advocacy
Elevating the voice of our elected school board members among local, state, and federal policymakers is the aim WSSDA’s advocacy efforts. Legislative advocacy occurs throughout the year and is driven by the voice of WSSDA members. As school directors develop and approve legislative positions, WSSDA staff use them as…
Insights from students, state officials and legislators—WSSDA’s Advocacy Videos Playlist
The WSSDA strategic advocacy team has recorded many videos during the 2021 legislative session, and you can now get them all in one place! There are 20 different YouTube videos featuring WSSDA staff with school board members, students, legislators and education partners. We are excited…
Student Advocate Spotlight: Stella Keating
Stella Keating is a Tacoma Public Schools student advocate, and the first transgender teen to ever testify to the U.S. Senate. A sixteen-year-old high school sophomore, Stella is an aspiring politician who helped launch The GenderCool Project—an awareness campaign turned movement that spotlights positive…
WSSDA Sends Letter to the Governor and Secretary of Health Urging New Social Distancing Guidance
This afternoon, WSSDA Board President Rick Jansons and WSSDA Executive Director Tim Garchow sent a letter to the governor and Washington’s secretary of health urging them to quickly reevaluate current social distancing guidance for Washington’s schools in light of the latest recommendation by US…
Legislative Session Week 10
We are more than halfway done with the 2021 session. Proposals for our state’s three budgets (operating, transportation, and construction) will be unveiled next week. The Washington State Wire released this insightful piece about the complexities of the budget process. You can also stay up-to-date by…
Proposal Window opens March 15
Once a year, school board members have the opportunity to submit proposals to amend existing positions or create new ones. The 2021 window for submitting proposals opens March 15 and closes May 14. Learn more about WSSDA positions. Here’s the approximate 2021 timeline from proposal to adoption: March…
Register for OnBoard Today
WSSDA’s virtual OnBoard is building skilled leaders and effective boards. Registration is open and limited, so register today! Have you heard of OnBoard? OnBoard is an interactive learning experience designed for both individual school directors and board-superintendent teams. OnBoard’s aim is to help school…
Building skilled leaders and effective school boards
School directors consistently report that WSSDA’s free board self-assessment survey, is “useful for goal setting” and “a great way to grow.” “Results from the self-assessment help boards dig into the critical issues that can sometimes hold boards back. By examining how they rate their…