WSSDA 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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2:30pm PST

1001. Culture of Engagement: Integrating diverse perspectives in bond planning

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

Explore the crucial role of diverse perspectives in the educational bond planning process. Co-presented with David VanderYacht, superintendent of Lynden School District, this session delves into strategies for fostering a culture of engagement and civil discourse within school communities. Through real-life examples from the Lynden School District, participants will learn how authentic engagement and communication strategies can effectively build trust and consensus across varied stakeholder groups.

Speakers

Ashley McClaran

Project Executive, STV

As a hands-on project executive with over two decades of experience in construction management and strategic advisory for K-12 school districts, I focus on delivering solutions that combine technical excellence with the unique needs of students, families, and individual communities... Read More →

David VanderYacht

Superintendent, Lynden School District

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
205, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

2:30pm PST

1002. Ensuring Student Access and Success for Students Beyond High School: A deep dive into high school graduation requirements and minimum admissions requirements into 4-year public universities in WA

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

206 D, Spokane Convention Center

Learn all about the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs) - Credits students need to accumulate by the time of high school graduation to be able to pursue admissions into any of our six 4-year baccalaureate institutions in WA. Potentially engage with a panel of experts from higher education, K-12 sectors and students to discuss the impact of CADRs, its alignment with high school graduation requirements, how you as a board member can leverage this policy at the school district level and can also inform this policy at the state level.

Speakers

Melissa Beard

WSSDA Board Vice President, Tumwater SD

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
206 D, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

2:30pm PST

1003. Gender Inclusive Schools Laws as Top Protective Factors for LGBTQ Students

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

206 A, Spokane Convention Center

Recent surveys of Washington state students reveal a growing population of LGBTQ students. The 2023 Healthy Youth Survey suggests that upwards of 25% of 10th graders are LGBTQ or questioning. Yet few school staff or school directors and administrators are aware of Gender Inclusive School laws and policies, much less their strong connection to the top protective factors for LGBTQ students. In this interactive workshop that includes students’ perspectives, you will learn about GIS laws, their connection to improving outcomes for LGBTQ students, and school climate overall. We will wrap up with a conversation about how you can help to connect this important work to your district's mission and values.

Speakers

Page

LGBTQ Student Advocate, Professional Development Provider, Common Goodness Project

Since 2004, I've worked within and alongside the LGBTQ+ community in one way or another. My experience is broad and includes working with faith communities, partnering with public schools, volunteering for juvenile justice departments, supporting foster parents with LGBTQ+ youth... Read More →

Gender Inclusive Schools for WSSDA pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
206 A, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

2:30pm PST

1004. Integrating OSPI’s Human-Centered AI Guidance for K-12 Public Schools to Empower Student Success

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

111 B, Spokane Convention Center

School board members and district leaders will have an opportunity to conduct a deep dive into the Human-Centered AI (Artificial Intelligence) Guidance for K-12 public schools from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Explore how leveraging AI responsibly can enhance student learning outcomes and operational efficiency while also addressing important concerns around privacy, equity, and transparency. Participants will be actively involved during this hands-on presentation.

Speakers

Jon Mishra

Assistant Superintendent, OSPI

Susan Lathrop

Assistant Superintendent, OSPI

Integrating OSPI’s Human Centered AI Guidance for K 12 Public Schools to Empower Student Success pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
111 B, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

2:30pm PST

1005. Reducing Staff: Lessons learned & reaffirmed

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

207, Spokane Convention Center

Inflation and basic costs are up, enrollment is down, and billions in federal pandemic relief has ended. Learn proactive and reactive strategies to lead through unprecedented state fiscal challenges and combat local union action to erode public confidence in school board and superintendent leadership.

Speakers

Trevor Greene

Superintendent, Yakima School District

Jake Kuper

CFO, Yakima School District

Kirsten Fitterer

Executive Director of Communication and Engagement, Yakima School District

Kirsten Fitterer serves as the Executive Director of Communications and Engagement for the Yakima School District. In this critical role, she sits on the Superintendent's Cabinet as one of seven executive managers, overseeing the education of 15,000 students. Kirsten started as a... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
207, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

2:30pm PST

1006. Roles Defined: Boosting efficiency & student success

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

111 C, Spokane Convention Center

Learn about the critical relationships and roles in school governance. Understand how board members govern, the superintendent leads, and the CFO manages the budget. Discover how to balance these roles, navigate budget cycles, ensure transparency, and adapt to enrollment changes for effective decision-making.

Speakers

Natalie Wimberley

School Board Director, Peninsula School District

Ashley Murphy

CFO, Peninsula School District

David Olson

VP, School Board Director, Peninsula School District

Lori Glover

School Board Director, Peninsula School District

Jennifer Butler

School Board Director, Peninsula School District

Chuck West

School Board Director, Peninsula School District

Krestin Bahr

Superintendent, Peninsula School District

WSSDA PSD Roles Defined pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
111 C, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

2:30pm PST

1007. The Power of Student Perspective for Equitable Outcomes

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

206 B, Spokane Convention Center

Experience the transformative power of student voice in service of systemic coherence toward equitable strategic growth through a justice-centered partnership between Orting School District’s Board of Directors and its diverse Student Advisory.

Speakers

Dr. Aaron Lee

Executive Director For Equity and Student Outcomes, Orting School District

Jaedin Soto

Student Board Representative, Orting School District

Carly Castro

Student Board Representative, Orting School District

Carrie Thibodeaux

School Board Director, Orting School District

Melissa Kinzler

School Board Director, Orting School District

Orting SD WSSDA Presentation 2024 pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
206 B, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session, Student Representative Course

2:30pm PST

Open Government Training

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST

201 A-C, Spokane Convention Center

Open Government is an important principle in Washington State with two important and powerful tools enabling the people to inform themselves about their government - the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and the Public Records Act (PRA). The OPMA requires that covered agency leaders take action and conduct deliberations openly. It establishes the public’s right to observe their government in action. The PRA provides broad access to agency records.

This session qualifies for the legislative requirement for Open Government training for all school directors within 90 days of taking office and refresher training every four years thereafter.

Speakers

WA Office of the Attorney General

Thursday November 21, 2024 2:30pm - 4:00pm PST
201 A-C, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

4:20pm PST

2001. A Partnership Approach to Supporting Students' Social & Emotional Wellness

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

206 A, Spokane Convention Center

Students are in a mental health crisis and schools no longer have the capacity to meet the needs alone. Learn how this unique, yet replicable, partnership called the Renton Referral Hub, is helping us to build systems that equitably address the needs through a community hub.

Speakers

Victoria Blakeney

Director of Student Support, Renton School District

Victoria Blakeney, MA Ed. Leadership has more than 30 years of experience in education. She was a hight school English teacher before serving as the first Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum Coordinator in the Anchorage School District, bringing together diverse stakeholders... Read More →

Devyna Aguon

Mental Health Facilitator, Renton School District

Avanti Bergquist

Board Director, Renton School District

Adam Davis

Director Community Partnerships, Health Commons Project

WSDDA Presentation 11.21 Final pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
206 A, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

4:20pm PST

2002. Attracting, Supporting, & Sustaining School Leaders

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

205, Spokane Convention Center

What are the consequences of constant leadership turnover? Besides financial costs, the impacts on culture, systems, and learning for both students and adults can have lasting negative effects. If highly effective school leaders are the number one influence on student achievement, then supporting leadership should be top priority for every district.

Speakers

Scott Seaman

Executive Director, Association Of Washington School Principals

Roz Thompson

Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Association Of Washington School Principals

2024 WSSDA Conference pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
205, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

4:20pm PST

2003. Creating a Coherent District

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

207, Spokane Convention Center

Six years ago, Battle Ground Public Schools embarked on a journey to eliminate initiative overload and fragmentation. They found a way to focus their direction, increase collaboration, deepen learning, and secure accountability while at the same time improving district culture and climate and strengthening community support. They will share their story and their process so that you can do it too.

Speakers

Denny Waters

Superintendent, Battle Ground Public Schools

Shelly Whitten

Deputy Superintendent, Battle Ground Public Schools #119

Mary Snitily

Vice President Of The Board Of Directors, Battle Ground Public School #119

WSSDA Creating a Coherent District pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
207, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

4:20pm PST

2004. Empowering School Boards: Strategic financial oversight for Washington state schools

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

111 B, Spokane Convention Center

Join us for a comprehensive presentation focused on the indispensable roles and responsibilities of school district board members in ensuring sound financial oversight of Washington state schools. In this session, we will delve into the essential principles, practices, and strategies that empower school boards to effectively manage fiscal resources and promote financial transparency and accountability within their districts.

Speakers

Lisa Matthews

Assistant Superintendent for Finance, NWESD

Trisha Schock

Assistant Superintendent Of Administrative Services, North Central Esd

Young Adult Consumer Education Trust (YACET) is an East Wenatchee based non-profit founded in 1999. We are currently pursuing our mission in the four counties of North Central Washington (Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Grant) by supporting schools’ and teachers’ efforts to exceed... Read More →

Kassidy Probert

Assistant Superintendent, Newesd 101

Jennifer Priddy

Deputy Superintendent, Business and Operations, ESD 113

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
111 B, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

4:20pm PST

2005. Mirrors, Doors, and Windows: Personalizing classroom materials to represent the students you serve

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

206 D, Spokane Convention Center

As influential leaders in the educational system, school board directors play a crucial role in ensuring that the curriculum reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the students it serves. This session will empower public school board directors to champion and support the creation and utilization of culturally responsive curricula that fosters an inclusive and engaging educational environment.

Speakers

Heather Bybee

Chief of Staff, Spokane Public Schools

Nikki Lockwood

Board President, Spokane Public schools

I was raised in Spokane and proud to serve as President of the Spokane Public Schools Board of Directors and on the WSSDA Legislative Committee for DA9. I am honored to be vice-president-elect for the WSSDA board. I work to make Spokane more inclusive for people of all backgrounds... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
206 D, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session, Student Representative Course

4:20pm PST

2006. Navigating Students’ Pathways: Embracing AI/AR/VR's role in career exploration

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

206 C, Spokane Convention Center

Discover how educational leaders across the Northwest use creative approaches including artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) to engage and inspire students. This session will demonstrate how students research, learn, and experience a variety of concepts and the associated career pathways in STEM, health science, advanced manufacturing, agri-science, transportation and more. Based on this exploration, students are able to develop plans for post-secondary study and/or earn valuable certifications.

Speakers

Ben Peterson

Director of CTE Solutions, zSpace Inc., zSpace, Inc.

zSpace is the leading evidence-based augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) platform providing innovative hands-on, experiential learning to improve achievement in science, math, and career and technical education credentialing.A comprehensive solution consisting of Windows-based AR/VR... Read More →

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
206 C, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session, Student Representative Course

4:20pm PST

2007. New School Health & Safety Rule Development from WA State Board of Health

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

206 B, Spokane Convention Center

Engage with the State Board of Health’s development of new school environmental health and safety rules. The board is working in collaboration with interested parties to develop draft minimum health and safety standards for all schools in Washington and is seeking your feedback and input on the proposed rules.

Speakers

Andrew Kamali

School Rules Project Manager, Washington State Board of Health

Patty Hayes

Chair, Washington State Board of Health

WSSDA Presentation pdf pdf

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
206 B, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session

4:20pm PST

2008. Utilizing Perspectives for Informed Decision Making

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST

111 C, Spokane Convention Center

The Arlington school board team is utilizing layers of student, staff, family, and community perspectives and voices to make better decisions, increase partner involvement, and foster educational equity to support student learning and achievement. You will hear from our student advisors and board members about the valuable understanding gained as a board team, the actions being taken, and the positive impacts.

Speakers

Thursday November 21, 2024 4:20pm - 5:20pm PST
111 C, Spokane Convention Center

Breakout Session