Board discusses applying for WASDA Board of Distinction; volunteers named to draft application

District staff briefed the board on the Washington School Directors Association (WASDA/WASA) Board of Distinction application, its sections, and the September 8 application deadline. The program asks for governance information, a 1,700-character professional development activity description, a 254-word narrative with three pages of supporting evidence, and evidence of alignment with Washington’s school board standards.

The board discussed whether to apply and who would lead drafting. Director Brown and another director agreed to work together on the essay portions; another director agreed to complete the professional-development section. Director Brown suggested an approach that centers on the district’s levy failure and subsequent community work to pass the levy on a second attempt, using that arc to demonstrate alignment to the application criteria. Staff noted that WASDA will send the self-assessment link and that the district will not see individual responses until compiled. Legal counsel will advise on avoiding OPMA violations when collaborating electronically.

The board asked staff to send the WASDA self-assessment link to members this week and to plan for a final draft for review before submission. The application window and the requirement to complete the WASDA self-assessment were emphasized as part of the board’s timeline.