WSSDA 2024 Annual Conference

Untangle the complexity of state funding, which is the primary financial support for Washington’s K-12 schools. Explore the primary categories of general apportionment funding, expand your knowledge about funding of the six Basic Education programs, and gain an overview of the four Basic Education categorical programs. The knowledge you gain will be immediately applicable to your work in guiding, approving, and reviewing district budgets.

All OnBoard sessions are first come, first served; no pre-registration required.

Culture is to people what water is to fish. We tend not to think about culture because it surrounds us all the time. In this learning experience, participants will explore culture within the context of a school district and its impact on students, staff, and families. By considering the opportunities and benefits of cultivating cultural proficiency throughout a school district, school directors will be equipped to promote cultural proficiency within the unique context of their own districts.

All OnBoard sessions are first come, first served; no pre-registration required. This session qualifies for the legislative requirement for educational equity training for all school directors.

Eliminating educational disparities is essential for a district to make progress toward educational equity. Two types of disparity for school directors to understand and monitor are disparities in students’ outcomes and disparities in students’ opportunities. In this learning experience, participants will learn a structured process for discovering both types of disparities. Becoming familiar with these concepts prepares board members to ask informed questions and think about student needs in new ways.

All OnBoard sessions are first come, first served; no pre-registration required. This session qualifies for the legislative requirement for educational equity training for all school directors.

Learn about the key budget drivers for districts and the Financial Health Indicators developed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Examine the concepts underlying each indicator, identify how district profile scores are determined, and learn to navigate OSPI's website to access your district’s profile. All this information will help you provide board-appropriate guidance for financial soundness when developing and monitoring the district budget.

All OnBoard sessions are first come, first served; no pre-registration required.

Belonging is an essential condition of an inclusive environment. Here, participants will explore the relationships between belonging, engagement, dignity, and student growth/success more deeply. The significance of shaping and maintaining a district-wide culture of dignity across all dimensions of difference is emphasized.

Lunch will be provided during this OnBoard session.

All OnBoard sessions are first come, first served; no pre-registration required. This session qualifies for the legislative requirement for educational equity training for all school directors.