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
Led by education policy professionals, WSSDA’s strategic advocacy branch exists to: WSSDA’s advocacy platform is comprised of legislative and permanent positions adopted at General Assembly that reflect the beliefs, values, and interests of Washington’s 1,477 school board members.To support all Washington school boards, WSSDA’s…
Spring 2021 Direct Newsmagazine
Hard copies will reach mailboxes in the coming days. Until then, here is the electronic version of our Spring 2021 issue. To see past issues, visit wssda.org/direct.
Director Spotlight: Drayton Jackson
All school board members are also members of WSSDA. We hope that shining a spotlight on individual school directors will contribute to a sense of community and connectedness among WSSDA’s members. These “director spotlights” are also a way to share knowledge and reveal the variety of backgrounds…
Register for the Virtual Equity Conference
The WASA/WSSDA/AWSP Equity Conference is coming to you virtually on May 18-19, 2021. Over two half-days, this conference features amazing keynoters and headliners focusing on research-based high-leverage core practices necessary for organizational growth in leadership for equity. The buttons below will take you to the…
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…