Republished with the approval of the author: Nancy Churchill WSSDA is an agency which was created in 1983 by Chapter 28A.345 of the Revised Code of Washington. Chapter 28A.345 defines the agency’s duties, membership, and powers, and it was defined as “The public necessity for the coordination of programs and procedures pertaining to policymaking and to control and management among the school districts of the state... and in the furtherance of such coordination there is hereby created for said purpose an agency of the state…” (bit.ly/307aUgy, emphasis added). In fulfilling its duties, this agency is required “to take such action as the association deems advisable to effect a … [Read more...]
School board, districts and teachers unions testify against SB5334 “Increasing transparency in levy authorization information provided by school districts”
Ever notice that when school districts run levys or bonds that they produce a nice glossy brochure and mail them to all residences and then create a flashy web page that extols the virtues, benefits, value and absolute need to support the money they are requesting? The brochures cost taxpayers thousands of dollars (frequently $3-$5,000) and the postage can run $3-$5,000. Video's custom made can run $2-$5,000. The web page can cost more in time (which means someone at the communications dept is being paid). The ballot measure mailing and counting can cost $50-$75,000 easily. Never in any of those materials is there a single negative word. Not one word or sentence that shows why a taxpayer … [Read more...]
Washington State School Directors Association – The lobbying arm of School Boards
The WSSDA (Washington State School Directors Association) is a group that represents all Washington State School Board Directors as a lobbyist with the Washington State Legislature. WSSDA coordinates and recommends Policy's and Procedures for School Boards to adopt as well as recommending updates. WSSDA holds several meetings each year that one (or more) school board directors can attend to be "trained" as well as vote on the items WSSDA should lobby the legislature on during the next calendar year. Each school board must pay a fee to be a member (the State requires it) So, how about some facts? How much does each school district pay to belong? Open this file and find … [Read more...]
School Board Report Cards? Does anyone grade them?
Do school boards get report cards? No Are school boards evaluated? No (unless they do it themselves) Are school boards accountable? Sort of....the directors are elected so if people don't like their performance they can vote them out every 4 years In this article we'll explore some possible ways local communities might go about evaluating school boards and holding them accountable. In Washington State every school district (295 of them) MUST belong with the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) and pay a fee based on a formula (the larger the district the more they pay). The WSSDA represents the school districts with the State Legislature and acts as a … [Read more...]
Washington State School Director Association – Pealing the Onion Part 1
What is the WSSDA? (link is attached to WSSDA on the left) Mission Statement: WSSDA provides leadership and advocacy, and empowers its members with knowledge and skills to govern with excellence. Real World: They are an advocacy group representing the school board directors in Washington State. Finances: Participating school board pay an annual fee to belong. In 2016 they raised: $1,742,874. There are 295 school districts so if everyone one participated that would equal ~$5,908 per district. As it turns out, based on an email exchange with: Christopher W. Carlile, CPA, CGFM Director of Finance and Operations Washington State School Directors’ Association 221 College St. NE; … [Read more...]