Washington State School Directors' Association

We're Hiring! WSSDA is looking for a part-time learning & development specialist to join our team.

In this role, you'll help design and deliver professional development and training for Washington school board members and board-superintendent teams.

We're looking for someone with experience designing, developing, and delivering instruction for adults, who brings strong organizational skills and thrives in a collaborative environment.

Full job description and application: https://conta.cc/4etxXp9

How Yakima's Board Put Student Voice at the Center of Governance

Yakima School District's board built student voice into policy. Policies were drafted by students, vetted by 1,000+ stakeholders, and endorsed by 80% of them. WSSDA named them 2024 Board of the Year for a reason.

Read the full story:
https://wssda.org/2026/03/yakimas-recipe-for-success-student-voiceboard-efficiency-and-strategic-focus/

Are you in our photos? See our photo albums from WSSDA's 2026 Regional Meetings! See the album at https://www.flickr.com/photos/wssda/collections/72157725026741977/

5 weeks, 11 meetings, 355 attendees, and a lot of fun. We even had 14 legislators join us. We discussed how to build relationships for better legislative advocacy and community engagement. The gatherings were full of learning, connection, and meaningful conversations that we hope carried back into your districts. If you weren't able to join us, we'd love to see you next spring!

Juneteenth and the Board's Ongoing Commitment to Equity

For school boards, equity isn't a one-time policy vote. It's an ongoing commitment to ensuring every student, regardless of race or background, has access to opportunity.

Today is Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States and a reminder that freedom requires follow-through. WSSDA's equity resources can help your board do important work all year long.

Explore WSSDA's equity resources:
https://wssda.org/events/professional-development/educational-equity/

New Superintendent Evaluation Model Now Available

WSSDA's new superintendent evaluation model is built on years of collaboration — designed to support growth, strengthen districts, and bring intentionality to one of the board's most important responsibilities. Is your district using a structured evaluation process?

Learn more:
https://wssda.org/2026/04/evaluation-with-intention-supporting-superintendents-and-strengthening-districts/

Salmon work all year preparing for the moment they spawn. School communications is similar because it takes a lot of work in advance to meet the moment you know is coming.

That’s the message Washington School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) Communicator of the Year Tove Tupper shared in this article for WSSDA’s Direct magazine: https://wssda.org/2026/05/what-salmon-teach-us-about-school-communication/

Here are some examples:

→ Crises don't announce themselves. Getting ahead of concerns before they escalate is communication work.
→ Levy campaigns are won or lost on trust built long before the ballot drops.
→ Misinformation spreads fast. Clear, consistent messaging is your counterweight.
→ Controversial decisions—boundary changes, curriculum updates—go smoother with real stakeholder engagement.

Communication isn't just a soft skill. It's infrastructure.

Organizations that treat it that way position themselves to make it all the way upstream, like salmon.

What Does School Board Impact Look Like in Your District?

Decisions made in the boardroom ripple outward — shaping the realities of the classrooms, communities, and futures. WSSDA's 2026 Annual Conference theme, Impact, is an invitation to reflect: where are you moving the needle for students?

Learn more about the conference:
https://wssda.org/events/wssda-annual-conference/

Plan Ahead for WSSDA's Summer Leadership Academy

Summer is the right season to sharpen your governance skills. WSSDA's Summer Leadership Academy brings school directors together in person for high-quality training — including legislatively required equity trainings, financial oversight, and board chair development.

Learn more about Leadership Academy:
Wssda.org/events/professional-development/leadership-academy/

K–12 Boards Shape What Happens After High School

This Saturday is National Higher Education Day — a reminder that the work of school boards doesn't end at graduation. When boards make strong decisions about curriculum, equity, and college and career readiness, they're setting students up for what comes next.

Explore WSSDA governance resources:
Wssda.org/member-services/governance-resources/

Sign up for eClippings

The school year is winding down, but education news continues. Stay in the know by signing up for WSSDA’s eClippings, the daily email with education news from across our state and the U.S.

Sign up for eClippings: https://wssda.formstack.com/forms/eclippings