Last month a very important step towards equality was taken by the Washington State School Directors Association or WSSDA. A by-law which had been in place since 1986, called the “weighted vote”, was eliminated. The results will be an equal voice for all school districts at WSSDA. WSSDA is the association that creates model policies for all Washington school districts. It sets legislative priorities and lobbies legislators for changes to laws. It also provides training and insurance for all school board directors in the state. The membership consists of one representative from each school district, and these members vote on the WSSDA board and committee members. Every September WSSDA … [Read more...]
WSSDA: State-sponsored Theft from Students?
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...]
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...]
School Boards – Are they still relevant in today’s world?
School Boards came into being in the United States in the 1870's to 1890's. Their creation was an attempt to control education at the local level. The effort was judged widely successful and the notion took root. People took charge of building schools and facilities and chose the education focus including curriculum, teaching materials, created libraries and taxed themselves to fund their preferences and views. Fast forward to 2016...146 years later...what are school boards today and do they still serve a role? We're going to suggest the answer is ….NO...School Boards may no longer be relevant. Why do we say that? The federal government, through the US Department of Education (USDoE) has … [Read more...]