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…
Voting for SBE, ESD, and WSSDA elections runs October 1-16
October 1 marks the opening of voting by school directors in elections for the boards of Educational Service Districts (ESDs), the State Board of Education (SBE), and the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). Elected positions on some WSSDA committees are also up for…
Belonging, engagement, and student success — Learn more on Sept 12
On September 12, the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) is offering a virtual learning experience for school directors titled Advancing Inclusion through Belonging. But act fast, because registration closes Sunday night. “Advancing Inclusion is one of my favorite OnBoard workshops to facilitate,” said…
Declare your candidacy by September 16
The candidate filing window is open for the State Board of Education, Educational Service District, and Washington State School Directors’ Association elections! The window will close at 5 p.m. on September 16. The filing form can be found on all of the elections pages,…
Call for Elections — SBE, ESD, and WSSDA
The candidate filing window for State Board of Education, Educational Service Districts, and Washington State School Directors’ Association elections opens September 1, 2023, and closes at 5 p.m. on September 16. Voting Electronic voting will take place from October 1, 2023 through October 16….
Partners by Design—School Directors Help Hone their Training
“I felt a little nervous at first, but after we got going, it felt natural,” said Vanessa Edwards, leadership consultant for the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). Last week, Edwards and OnBoard curriculum co-designer Scott Dolquist practiced delivering one of WSSDA’s newest learning experiences titled…
Energized communities and (not so) simple rules for board success
Read the Summer 2023 issue of Direct, the quarterly newsmagazine of the Washington State School Directors’ Association. There’s a lot to enjoy, but here are some highlights:
Free School Board Candidate Workshops in June
By the May 19 deadline, over 1300 people filed to run for a position on their local school board. Of those, the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) was able to contact 911 of them by email to invite them to a free candidate workshop….