WSSDA 2024 Annual Conference

Are you looking to create a new strategic plan that will elevate student learning while (re)building trust within the community? Learn from this collaboration between the Bellevue School District and the Center for Innovation in Education how your board-superintendent team can apply innovative, inclusive design principles to your next strategic planning process to help you accomplish both.

Despite mounting evidence that the prevalence of cell phones is negatively impacting student outcomes and school culture, many districts are hesitant to enact bans on personal devices. Hear how the Peninsula School District effectively engaged students, teachers, and families to craft one of the first district-wide cell phone bans in Washington state, and how students and teachers are already reporting noticeable gains in student engagement, classroom participation, and improved school climate after only one year.

Learn how the Ferndale School Board collaborated with the Bond Oversight Committee to manage and oversee bond-funded school projects, ensuring accountability and transparent use of funds. They maintained regular communications with the District/Board, providing updates and insights that supported informed decision-making on infrastructure improvements. This consistent and open communication was a key strategy to restore trust among stakeholders, fostering a community that was actively involved and informed about the progress and use of bond funds. Their efforts culminated in the construction of a beautiful new high school, enhancing the educational environment for the community.