Kennewick School District board members told attendees at a district “Get to Know KSD” workshop that their role is principally oversight and policy-setting, not day-to-day operations. "I can almost sum it up in one word. It's just oversight. We are not a legislative body," a board member said during the panel.

The remarks came at a public workshop attended by the five elected board members and members of the public. The board described its responsibilities as setting district vision and strategic goals with the superintendent, adopting and revising district policies, approving the budget and monitoring progress toward student-learning objectives laid out in the Washington State School Directors Association governance framework.

Why this matters: the distinction clarifies what the public should expect from elected directors and what tasks belong to the superintendent and her cabinet. Board members repeatedly emphasized that the superintendent is the board’s single employee and is responsible for executing board policy and managing staff.

Board composition and limits: the board consists of five publicly elected directors serving staggered four-year terms and an appointed student representative. Members said that while they set district policy, the superintendent and management team — described repeatedly as the cabinet — implement that policy. One board member summarized the working relationship: the board sets vision and monitors performance; the superintendent and staff carry out the work.

Meeting process and public access: board members explained how they prepare and deliberate. Agenda items are posted at the prior meeting; the meeting packet is distributed to directors on the Friday before a Wednesday meeting, and members do most of their preparation in the days between distribution and the meeting. Directors said they may contact the superintendent or speak individually with other board members for clarification, but Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act prohibits private deliberations that involve a quorum (three or more members).

The board uses standard public-meeting practices for longer policy discussions: some items undergo multiple readings (first and second readings) or are studied across several meetings to allow more public input and staff follow-up. Members said they rely on public comment, emails and school visits to stay informed about community priorities and bring that information back into formal meetings.

Engagement beyond the district: several directors described participation in the Washington State School Directors Association (WASDA) and regional caucuses to exchange information with trustees from other districts and to coordinate on state-level policy concerns that affect Eastern Washington. Directors also encouraged the public to contact legislators outside session and to participate in “Day on the Hill” and other advocacy opportunities.

Advice for prospective candidates: board members encouraged anyone considering a run to learn the work in advance — watch meetings, read packets, talk to current directors — and to be prepared for the time commitment. They noted time expectations vary by district: in larger districts some trustees spend dozens of hours weekly, while in others participation may be concentrated on meetings and school visits.

Other procedural notes: the panel referenced a district policy on director compensation that the board has passed (details were not provided at the workshop), reminded listeners that personnel and student-discipline matters are governed by state confidentiality laws, and said records requests are the formal channel for certain incident information.

Board members closed by urging civility in public discourse and reminding attendees that after a board vote the board speaks for itself even when individual directors disagree.

Ending: For more information the board directed residents to the district website for meeting packets, filing information for prospective candidates and a schedule of future “Get to Know KSD” sessions.