PLN23July.pdf

Parent document: Regular Board Meeting-02-12-2024.pdf

Text

Free School Meals:
NStudent’

2

i Expanding Washington’ s\

= Leadership on Dual Credit r)
e Preventing and Responding ") '
: Harassment, Intimidation, a ‘ Bullying
Oversight of Entities Providing Special) —_— We
Education Services ———— xe WSSDA

JULY 2023

WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL
. “AND MORE % DIRECTORS’ ASSOCIATION

__ Tips from Jurassic Parliament

s Voice,

= 4
a


FROM THE EDITOR

Policy Classifications

ESSENTIAL

* Policy is required by state or federal
law; or

* Aspecific program requires a policy
in order to receive special funding.

ENCOURAGED

¢ While not required by law, policy
is intended to reflect the spirit of
existing state or federal law thus
inuring districts to potential litigation;

¢ While not required by law, policy
has potential to benefit the health,
safety, and/or welfare of students,
employees, directors, and/or the
local community.

DISCRETIONARY

* Policy addresses an action likely
deemed important by the board; or

* Policy would likely be deemed
appropriate due to special
circumstances of the board; or

* Policy communicates district
philosophy that a board may want
to promote to employees and/or the
community.

There is a plethora of policy revisions covered in this issue. In fact, their alliterative
abundance reminds me of the plethora of pinatas in the movie Three Amigos where
Jefe tells El Guapo he will have many pinatas for his birthday. El Guapo asks, “Would
you say | have a plethora of pinatas?” Jefe hesitates but then assures, “Oh yes, you
have a plethora.”

In its traditional usage, the word plethora meant an overabundance or too much of
something, Today, the word regularly functions as a mere synonym for plenty or many,
implying abundance. While abundance could be good or bad, an overabundance is a
problem. Consider WSSDA's beloved staff member Antonio Gonzales, who is retiring
after his many, but certainly not too many years of service to WSSDA’s members.
Abundance here a good thing. In contrast, speaking to overabundance, Alfred North
Whitehead declared, “The consequences of a plethora of half-digested theoretical
knowledge are deplorable.”

To help you avoid the deplorable consequences of half-digested knowledge, this
edition of Policy & Legal News strives to clarify the impact of this past legislative
session on board policy. We have several guest articles, for which | would like to
thank Representative David Paul (see page 7), Representative Marcus Riccelli (see
page 3), and former student board representative Madhumitha Gandhi (See page 5).
We hope that by grounding the policy revisions in the intent of the legislation, as
understood by those who sponsored and/or advocated for it, your policy work might
feel more meaningful and less theoretical.

Lastly, to help your board wade through the plethora of policy revisions effectively,
don’t miss our reminder about non-substantive revisions on page 12 and “The Most
Useful and Practical Phrase a Chair Can Say” by Parliamentarian Anne Macfarlane on
page 19.

Thank you, school directors, for your care and deliberation in your board’s policy
work. Thank you also to Antonio Gonzales for his 27 years of dedicated service to
WSSDA's members. Antonio’s work has often been behind the scenes, but it has
always been member-driven and steadfast. All the WSSDA staff aspire to live up to his
example. Antonio will be missed! We wish him a very happy retirement.

Best,
Abigail Westbrook, J.D., Editor

because some of the impacts to school districts are not yet in effect.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 1


Policy & Legal News

HELPING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TRANSLATE LAW INTO ACTION

Editor's NOte .......ccscscscscscsscsssescsececscseesscscesseersrerstenseseseseseseseaes
Hungry Kids Need School Meals .........::cecceceeseesteteeeeeeeees
Free School Meals - A Student's VOICE .......... sees
Expanding Washington's Leadership on Dual Credit .............

Preventing and Responding to Harassment,

Intimidation, ANG BULLYING «2.0... eesesseececesseeseeesesteseetseeeeeeeeeeees
Non-Substantive Revisions from HB 1207 .......cceeseseeees

Oversight of Entities Providing Special Education Services

Other Updates 0... eccscscsescscseecscseseeeseeeeeeeeeeceeeeneneeeeeaseneneeeeeaees
The Most Useful and Practical Phrase a Chair Can Say ........
Special THANKS ........sccccsssssscscsssssscscsessssescansssseecansesseeeseeesanseseeeeas

w& UPDATES TO MODEL POLICY

WSSDA has developed, revised, or retired the following model policies and procedures. Subscribers can find marked-up and
clean versions of these documents (as applicable) in their subscriber portal on the WSSDA website by visiting wssda.org/ login.

ESSENTIAL

1400/1400P - Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum
2161P - Special Education and Related Services for Eligible
Students

2162 - Education of Students with Disabilities Under 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973

2190/2190P - Highly Capable Programs

2230 - Transition to Kindergarten Program (NEW)

2410P - High School Graduation Requirements

3122 - Excused and Unexcused Absences

3207/3207P - Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and
Bullying of Students

3225 - School-Based Threat Assessment

3231 - Student Records

3241/3241P - Student Discipline

3246P - Restraint, Isolation, and Other Uses of Reasonable Force
3520/3520P - Student Fees, Fines, or Charges

5050 - Contracts

6215 - Expense Claim Certification and Approval
6220/6220P - Bid or Request for Proposal Requirements
6700/6700P - Nutrition, Health, and Physical Education

ENCOURAGED

1610 - Conflicts of Interest (Districts with 2,000 or more students)
1611 - Conflicts of Interest (Districts with fewer than 2,000 students)
2022P - Electronic Resources and Internet Safety

4001/4001P - Public Information Program

4040/4040P - Public Access to District Records

ENCOURAGED (cont.)

5010/5010P - Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action

6020 - System of Funds and Accounts

6217/6217P - Electronic Funds Transfer (NEW)

6550 - Capitalization Threshold for Leases and Subscription-Based
Information Technology Arrangements (NEW)

6530 - Insurance

6605/6605P - Student Safety Walking, Biking, and Riding Buses
6959/6959P - Acceptance of Completed Project (NEW Procedure)

DISCRETIONARY

1440 - Minutes

2121/2121P - Substance Abuse Program
5310 - Compensation

6513/6513P - Workplace Violence Prevention

LIST OF SERIES INCLUDED IN UPDATES
1000 Series - Board of Directors

2000 Series - Instruction

3000 Series - Students

4000 Series - Community Relations

5000 Series - Personnel

6000 Series - Management Support

RY

100 Years of Leadership

JULY 2023

WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL
DIRECTORS’ ASSOCIATION

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 2


By Representative Marcus Riccelli

of high school, | had access to school lunch, and

most days, that was what | ate with my friends in
the cafeteria. As a well-supported latchkey kid, with my
mom an educator earning her master’s degree at night
and both parents working full-time jobs, | never had to
worry about having a hot lunch. | never went without, but
that is not the case for many of our kids in Washington
state.

FE: my first day of kindergarten to my last day

When | became a state representative and began
serving the House Health Care & Wellness Committee,
my focus was on the health issues facing our youth.
Alarming obesity and diabetes statistics show that our
children are facing an epidemic that will result in shorter
lifespans than their parents. Nutrition is a critical part of
the battle for healthier children. As | researched how we
feed children, | learned about my local schoo! district’s
work to provide more scratch cooking, modified scratch
cooking, and healthier food in schools.

One of the big barriers is a lack of infrastructure - many
kitchens have been removed, and schools lacked
adequate cold storage. | worked to create the Healthy
Kids Healthy Schools Grant, which provides funding
through the Office of the Superintendent for Public

JULY 2023

MODEL POLICY & PROCEDURE

Nutrition, Health, and Physiclal
Education

Instruction (OSPI) for kitchen and cafeteria upgrades.
Part of the goal is to rely on more locally sourced food
that sustainably supports our local growers and our food
supply.

After that work began, a group of five House members,
“The Food Five,” focused our efforts to bring attention
to and improve food policy in the State of Washington.
We worked to collectively move forward small and large
initiatives, and after passing Breakfast After the Bell
for Washington students, more policymakers joined

our ranks. The Food Five became the Food Fighters,
which have remained a force for working to end hunger,
pass food sustainability policy, increase infrastructure
investments, and much more.

Through my work with the Food Fighters, | discovered
that Washington was a shocking 44th in the nation in
implementing the Community Eligibility Program (CEP).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has money
sitting there, ready for our schools, and we were leaving
it there while our kids were going hungry.

| just could not understand why we were quite literally
leaving food on the table that could feed hungry kids,

sol began a four-year journey that included three new
laws and a real education on the program. CEP allows

CONTINUED on next page

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =

3
3


CONTINUED from previous page

schools to apply for community eligibility funds if the
schools have a certain percentage of students whose
households receive assistance from programs like SNAP
or Medicaid, are in foster care placements, or struggle
with housing stability. If the schools qualify with 40
percent of their student population meeting the criteria,
they can serve free meals to all students.

Addressing our CEP shortcomings has not been easy.
In 2020, we passed the Hunger-Free Schools Act (HB
2660) to require school districts to participate in CEP if
they had 62.5 percent eligibility. That added 15 schools
and 7,200 students to the free meals program. Next, in
2021, | sponsored and passed HB 1878 to encourage
school districts to group schools together to maximize
participation, all within the USDA's rules, and required
the state to pay the tab for the districts’ extra costs. That
brought total participation in CEP to 1,210 total schools
and 544,000 total students—a huge increase that
recognized the value of universal school meals. | was
especially proud that my local school district, Sookane
Public Schools, was able to move to universal school
meals in the 2022-2023 school year thanks to the
work the Food Fighters and advocates have cone in the
Legislature.

| hoped that this year we could close the gap and offer
free school meals for all, so | introduced the Washington

Representative Marcus Riccelli visits students in a school cafeteria.

JULY 2023

Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HB 1238) to require the
state to fund universal school meals. As the new chair
of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, my
message was simple: Food Is health and an Important
social determinant of health. Consistent access to
nutritious food is a part of how we protect kids from
getting sick while ensuring they have the fuel they need
to learn, grow, and play.

The cost to expand to universal meals was over $90
million a year, and with so many other budget priorities
and emergencies facing our state, the bill seemed likely
to fail. But thanks to the work of amazing advocates,

we found an incremental approach that added another
220 schools and 90,000 students over the next two
years. While not universal school meals, the bottom line
is that Washington state will provide 634,000 students
across 1,430 schools free breakfast and lunch starting
in 2025.

I’m proud of the work we have done, but it is hard to
celebrate when | know that Washington kids are still
going hungry. Five states have beat us to universal
meals - California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and
Rhode Island.

Schools provide books, buses, and sports equipment

to students because they're necessary for academic
success. Meals should be considered necessary as well.
Lawmakers should not stop, and | won’t stop, until every
child has access to free breakfast and lunch in every
school across the state. Hungry kids can’t learn, and free
school meals are the most effective way to ensure that
ALL of our kids are getting the food they need to thrive.

Marcus Riccelli is a member of the
Washington House of Representatives
for the 3rd Legislative District. Elected
in 2012, he chairs the House Health
Care & Wellness Committee. Outside
of his legislative duties, Marcus is a
Community Relations Manager for

the Community Health Association of
Spokane. He has also been an adjunct instructor at Eastern
Washington University’s College of Health Science and Public
Health and worked as Operations Manager for the Northeast
Community Center. Marcus lives in Spokane with his wife
Amanda and their two children.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 4


JULY 2023

Free School Meals -
A Student’s Voice

By Representative Madhumitha Gandhi

chool can be a stressful place for many students.

Going to class every day, learning difficult y

concepts, completing assignments, and y
studying for tests are all major components that i
make up a student's life at school. | can speak on
behalf of a large portion of students when | say that
lunch is a break from all of that academic stress |
and a time to recharge our batteries with a balanced
meal.

Many students take advantage of the meals their

school offers because they are guaranteed a nutritious
meal. However, with increasing prices of school meals,
many students are deterred from purchasing meals even
though they might need them. | know that lunch can be
a highly stigmatized place for students for many reasons.
Students of color can feel ostracized for bringing their
ethnic food. Students with body dysmorphia feel guilt-
ridden for eating their meal. Or students who do not
have many friends feel lonely watching their peers eat
with theirs. I, along with many others, have seen it all
unfold in the school cafeteria. Now a handful of these
issues are hard to combat from an administrative or
legislative standpoint. But one issue that can be fixed is
the price of food and how increasing prices lead to less
food being purchased and the impacts that has ona
student's life.

In the beginning of 2023, | was approached to write

a testimony on House Bill (HB) 1238, which made
school meals free for all students regardless of their
socioeconomic background. | was more than happy to
speak on behalf of the student perspective because

| know many students who are personally affected

by the rising costs of meals. Those students bear an
unnecessary burden on their shoulders just for wanting
a hot meal at lunchtime. This program was known to be
successful in the past because we saw a version of this
program implemented amongst many school districts
during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our school district alone
saw a massive influx in the number of meals eaten

MODEL POLICY &
PROCEDURE

6700/6700P
Nutrition, Health, and
Physical Education

by students. In the 2017-2018 school year, a total of
around 375,000 breakfast and lunch meals were eaten,
and in the 2021-2022 school year, that number got

to a little under 600,000. Clearly, there is a causation
between the price of meals and the number of meals
being purchased, and | am certain other school districts
saw similar results. There are so many benefits to having
school meals be free for all students.

With free school meals, socioeconomic burdens are
lifted, and stigma is reduced. There is so much stigma
around students who cannot afford lunch, and many
shy away from using qualified free lunch because of

CONTINUED on next page

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA



CONTINUED from previous page

fear of ridicule from peers. This is especially true in
school districts that have little to no poverty since the
population that needs help buying lunch is smaller, so
those students who qualify are more identifiable. With
school lunches being free, all students fall under the
same umbrella of not needing to pay for meals, so it
reduces any anxiety around purchasing school meals. It
also helps level the playing field for low-income families
and makes access to good food equitable. We know
there is a certain threshold for students to qualify for
free and reduced meals. Those who meet that threshold
receive free or reduced-price meals, but what about
those families who are right above that threshold? Those
families still could use the assistance, but they do not
strictly qualify, so they slip through the crack. All of those
students now feel the same anxiety as students who
qualify but are also feeling the economic stresses that
come with it. By making school meals free, we can help
all students feel like they can get a proper meal without
having to think about the money that goes along with it.

Another added benefit is that student productivity
increases massively. Food is fuel, and the more students
eat, the better equipped they are to focus their energy on
their academics or other aspects of their life. HB 1238
and the introduction of school meals being free will allow
students not to fret about what they will eat for lunch
and redirect that mind space for more useful tasks.
Numerous studies show that students perform better

on tests, have better mental health, and can focus more
when they have a full stomach versus an empty one. It

is clear that when students are fed, they have a higher
potential to achieve more in school. Those who have the
power to make that a possibility for all students have a
moral obligation to do so.

I can go on to list so many other advantages of having
a universal meals program, but the bottom line is

that students need to be properly fed in order to live a
happy and successful life. Every student in Washington
state deserves the best education possible, and that
is not possible on an empty stomach. It is up to the

JULY 2023

people who can put pen to paper and ensure that this
right is granted to all students. | strongly believe that
food is a foundational piece to a prosperous education
and that when students are fed, they can unlock their
maximum potential. | am grateful for representatives like
Representative Riccelli for continually advocating for bills
like HB 1238 and hope that more changes are made in
the future. | hope that one day all students can be sitting
at the lunch table surrounded by their friends, eating a
meal without a worry in their minds.

Madhumitha Gandhi was a student
representative on the Snoqualmie
Valley School Board. She is attending
the University of Washington and

is majoring in Computer Science.

In addition to serving as a student
representative for the school board,
her activities and interests include
volunteering, being outdoors, and
dancing.

Based on House Bill 1238 - Free School Meals, WSSDA has revised model policy and procedure 6700/6700P -

Nutrition, Health, and Physical Education.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 6


By Representative David M. Paul

with a credential between a high school degree

and a bachelor’s degree. Nurses, carpenters, IT
specialists, welders, and hundreds of other high-demand
jobs fit into this category.

Tre our economy, we need skilled workers

It’s tough to fix the workforce shortage by hiring skilled
workers from other states—because those states also
face the same shortages. That means our best options
for tackling this problem start here in Washington state.

Part of the solution to these issues is giving the students
of today the skills they need for these high-demand,
high-paying jobs. Expanding dual-credit options is one

of the ways to address this—so more students have
workforce training opportunities and access to higher
education while still in high school.

Washington state is a national leader in dual-crecit

JULY 2023

MODEL PROCEDURE ES -

High School Graduation
Requirements

programs, like Running Start, College in the High School,
and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit.
Providing students with the opportunity to earn college
credits while still in high school is one of the best ways
to lower student debt and put our young people on the
path to a great career.

These programs are helpful to businesses and our
state’s economy. In Washington state, we face a housing
crisis, health care issues, and businesses that can’t

find workers. Here’s a quick legislative update on these
three important programs.

Running Start and College in the High School
Running Start and College in the High School allow

high school students to earn college credit in different

CONTINUED on next page


a

during the 2023 legislative session.

CONTINUED from previous page

Representative Dave Paul consults with colleagues on the house floor

ways. With Running Start, juniors and seniors can enroll
in classes at their local community college or regional
university. Students take the classes at those campuses
or online. Students are not charged for tuition, but
families pay for class fees and books.

With College in the High School, students take college-
level courses at their home high school. The classes

are taught by high school instructors who partner with a
community college or university to ensure the content is
the same as a course taught on a college campus. Until
now, families have been charged a reduced program fee
that is less than the cost of traditional tuition.

Both programs have out-of-pocket costs that are
burdensome to families, especially for working families.

lam proud to have sponsored House Bill (HB) 1316 -
Expanding Access to Dual Credit Programs, which will
continue Washington's long tradition of supporting dual
credit programs like Running Start and College in the
High School. This law will allow students to take Running
Start classes in the summer. This is terrific for student
athletes or students involved in extra-curricular activities
who cannot participate in Running Start during the
school year.

House Bill 1316 will also expand the funding, allowing

JULY 2023

students to take a combined 1.4 fulltime-equivalent of
coursework at their high school and local college. This
will allow students to enroll fulltime at their high school
and still take one tuition-free college class each term.

Finally, research shows that many families—especially in
overburdened communities—don’t know about Running
Start and other dual-credit options. HB 1316 requires
that high schools email families with all dual-credit
opportunities every term so that students and families
can better know their options.

I’m also proud to have partnered with Sen. Mark Mullet
to lower the costs of College in the High School. Senate
Bill 5048 eliminates the out-of-pocket costs for College
in the High School. This will make it much easier for
students to earn college credits while taking classes

at their own high schools—and will significantly reduce
equity gaps in this program.

CTE Dual Credit

I've worked with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle
to give every student in our public schools a pathway to
the advanced skills they need for a high-paying job after
graduation.

Putting more of our students
on this career path will help
reduce the worker shortage
in critical industries. It will
also dramatically change the
lives of these students, giving
them access to careers with
great salaries and benefits.
These careers offer job security
and stability—in fields that
desperately need workers.

We can do more to help students earn college and
vocational credits while they are still in hign school. We

CONTINUED on next page

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS » WSSDA 8


CONTINUED from previous page

must increase collaboration between K-12 educators,
apprenticeship programs, community and technical
colleges, and employers. And we need to do a much
better job helping K-12 students learn what their career
options are.

| have worked with legislators, educators, and industry
partners to create regional partnerships that do just
that. I’m proud that my request to fund the Northwest
CTE Dual Credit project to increase credential attainment
for high school students in professional technical
programs was included in the final budget.

There is still work to be done—and | look forward to
continuing to improve CTE Dual Credit attainment
throughout Washington state. Every CTE program in
our state should lay out a pathway to a post-secondary
credential. Earning credit ina CTE program in high
school can help students on their way to a high-paying
job, but helping them establish a concrete pathway to
those high-paying jobs can help them get there faster.

Every student should feel confident in their options
and next steps, and CTE programs can help bridge the
gap between education and career. By giving students
options and connections in their communities and
around the state for apprenticeships and jobs, they will
be on track to high-paying, secure jobs.

Dual Credit options in our state
help put Washington students
on a path to rewarding jobs
that provide security. We know
which ideas and reforms can
help create opportunities for
students and workers while
Closing the gap.

(S) POLICY JULY 2023

And we know this issue won't get solved on its own.

| believe we can listen to each other, and work together,
to pass reforms that give every student, family, and
business the chance to succeed.

Representative Dave Paul grew up in Enumclaw and now
represents Washington’s 10th Legislative District. He is an
experienced educator who taught in higher education for over
20 years. He has a background in helping non-traditional
students navigate a changing employment landscape and
serves on the Island County Economic Development Council.
In addition to his experience with higher education, Dave also
has experience with K-12 schools, including having served on
his local school board in Ohio. Dave and his wife live in Oak
Harbor with their four children and two dogs.

Representative Dave Paul speaks during session.

Based on House Bill 1316 - Expanding Access to Dual Credit Programs, WSSDA has revised model procedure

2410P - High School Graduation Requirements, which is the associated procedure to an Essential policy.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 9


Preventing and
Responding to
Harassment,

Intimidation,
and Bullying

MODEL POLICY & PROCEDURE
3207/3207P

Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and
Bullying of Students

MODEL POLICY & PROCEDURE
5010/5010P

Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action

By OSPI’s School Safety and Student Well-Being Team

tate law requires school boards to adopt a HB 1207 also created an opportunity for OSPI and WSSDA
policy and procedure that prohibits harassment, to consult with each other regarding WSSDA's model
intimidation, and bullying (HIB) of any student. At policy and procedure to ensure alignment with state laws,
a minimum, the policy and procedure adopted by school clarify language and processes, and make other relevant
boards must incorporate the model policy developed by and timely updates. These updates will support clear and
WSSDA (RCW 28A.600.477). However, the model policy consistent implementation.
and procedure are not static. RCW 28A.600.477, also
requires WSSDA, in consultation with OSPI, to periodically, Summary of Changes
and as needed, make updates to its model policy and * Clarification around process, reporting

procedure prohibiting HIB. requirements, and technical assistance

In 2023, the Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1207
Preventing and responding to harassment, intimidation,
bullying, and discrimination in schools. HB 1207 requires
OSPI, in coordination with WSSDA and in consultation
with the Office of the Education Ombuds, to create

model language regarding the HIB complaint process,
investigations, and contact information for assistance.
OSPI is undertaking this work now and will post the model
language on its website. School districts will then be reporting as well as fair and timely investigations.
required to include this model language on their websites

and in student/family and staff handbooks.

Over the course of the 2022-2023 school year,

OSPI received numerous questions from districts and
families about the current Harassment, Intimidation,
and Bullying policy and procedure, demonstrating the
potential need for clarification. It is the intent of OSPI
and WSSDA for the model policies and procedures

to outline a clear process that supports adequate


CONTINUED from previous page

¢ Updated language regarding the definitions of
harassment, intimidation, and bullying in the
policy

Current HIB law (RCW 28A.600.477) does not
differentiate between the three terms: harassment,
intimidation, and bullying, Instead, the statute
defines HIB as a broad term that encompasses the
potential actions under each of the behaviors. It is
not an expectation that districts determine which of
the three behaviors is occurring for the incident to
be investigated or substantiated as a HIB complaint.
The procedure for responding to a HIB complaint also
does not vary based on which of the three actions is
occurring.

¢ Added clarity around investigations and
reporting

While the HIB Compliance Officer is the primary
contact, most districts utilize a building administrator
or designee for the first step in an investigation. The
procedure is updated to reflect this allowance, noting
that communication with the HIB Compliance Officer
when a HIB complaint is received will help them fulfill
their duty as required by law to oversee the process
and ensure investigations are done accurately and in
a timely manner.

* Clarification around the submission of reports
and incident forms

It was also clarified that HIB reports and incident
forms should be provided to the school or HIB
Compliance Officer. The previous version noted that
these complaints could be sent to OSPI as well as
other state and federal agencies. OSPI, and the other
listed agencies, are unable to open HIB investigations
and/or process incident forms.

* Defining “Aggressor”

RCW 28A.600.477 does not define the role of the
aggressor and relates only to prohibiting harassment,
intimidation, and bullying of any student. The
investigation of a HIB complaint, as outlined in
procedure 3207P is for the purposes of student-to-
student HIB incidents. The definition of “aggressor” is
updated to clarify that the HIB law and process should
be used for student-to-student HIB only.

For allegations involving a staff member, the school

JULY 2023

district's Human Resources Department must be
involved so union representatives may be notified.
These allegations will not be handled under the
processes in 3207 and 3207P. Human Resources
Departments must include consideration of
Nondiscrimination laws, including WAC 392-190-
0555, and policies and procedures 3210/3210P

- Nondiscrimination (for students), and 5010/5010P
- Nondiscrimination (for employees). The Human
Resources Department should work with your district’s
legal counsel to determine the appropriate complaint
process and response.

Looking Forward

Overall, these changes are intended to clarify the HIB
process and better align with Washington state law. We
look forward to the creation of new language under HB
1207 (2023) and future opportunities to continue to
update and evolve this important work to increase the
safety of our students and improve school climate for
everyone.

Washington Office of Superintendent of

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Learn more about or contact OSPI’s School Safety and Student
Well-Being Team:

s:/Awww.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/school-
safety-center/harassment-intimidation-and-bullying-hib

Email: schoolsafety@k12.wa.us
Phone: 360-725-6068

Based on House Bill 1207 - School Districts

- Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, and
Discrimination, WSSDA has made substantive
revisions to Essential model policy and procedure

3207/3207P — Prohibition of Harassment,
Intimidation, and Bullying of Students, as well
as to Encouraged model policy and procedure
5010/5010P - Nondiscrimination and
Affirmative Action.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 11


JULY 2023

Non-Substantive Policy
Revisions

House Bill (HB) 1207 - Preventing and Responding to Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, and Discrimnitation in
Schools is about preventing harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination, which is foundational to an environment
where students can learn. HB 1207 prompted revisions to several model policies. However, for the policies listed below, the
changes are strictly limited to revising the term “emergency expulsion” to the term “emergency removal.”

HB 1207 Section 7 (1) articulates this change’s legislative intent. It states that the previous term, “emergency expulsion,”
was prejudicial and could tarnish a student’s reputation. In contrast, the term “emergency removal” is a more accurate
description of a school district's authority. Section 7(2) directs OSPI to publish a bulletin notifying school districts and public
schools that they must use the new term upon its effective date July 23, 2023). It also stipulates that students with records
from September 1, 2019 to the present, indicating they were emergency expelled, may request school districts to revise the
term on the student’s records.

As you'll note, this change of verbiage is statutorily mandated and is not a matter of board discretion. Swiftly correcting
this term is in the district’s best interest and does not require school board deliberation. Making these corrections can

be considered non-substantive revisions. Your time and work as a school board is valuable. That is why it is important

to remember that your board does not need to approve non-substantive revisions. To use your board meeting time most
effectively, school boards should not use the same process for incorporating non-Substantive revisions as they do for
adopting substantive revisions. See WSSDA Policy 1310 - Policy Adoption, Manuals, and Administrative Procedures. One
way to expedite incorporating these revisions, while maintaining a record that the revisions occurred, is to list the impacted
policies/procedures on the consent agenda.

Below is the list of model policies and procedures that were revised.

NON-SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS BASED ON HB 1207

2022P - Electronic Resources and Internet Safety O (

2161P - Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students (Procedure only)

2162 - Education of Students with Disabilities Under 504 ee C—_
3122 - Excused and Unexcused Absences y,

3225 - School-Based Threat Assessment \ — ! — O

|

3241 - Student Discipline

—_/ Om
o U

Nr
OLICY AND a =gwSsDA QO
7 f ——

ARN



New Legislation Expands

OSPI’s Oversight of

Entities Providing Special

Education Services

By Dr. Tania May & Scott Raub

are safe and supportive, maximize access to general

education settings in their neighborhood school, create
positive interactions with peers, and provide meaningful
engagement with core curriculum. These ideals are especially
important for students receiving special education services
who have extensive support needs and are served in settings
along the continuum of placement options, such as non-public
agencies (NPAs).

Ee: student has the right to educational services that

The term NPA refers to any in-state private school/facility, or any
out-of-state public or private school/facility, that a local schoo!
district may contract with to provide special education services.
A local school district, in some instances, may determine that

it cannot provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) for a
student with a disability within their district. In partnership with
the student's family and teachers, as part of the Individualized
Education Program (IEP) process, the IEP team may decide

the student would be best served in a private school or facility
better suited to meet the student’s unique needs.

Recently enacted legislation Senate Bill (SB) 5315 - Special
Education - Nonpublic Agencies affirms and expands upon

the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI)
responsibility to ensure that certain non-public entities (i.e.,
NPAs) are authorized to provide services to students who are
eligible to receive special education services. Federal law
requires states to have a process for ensuring that students
eligible to receive special education services, who are placed

in or referred to a private school or facility by a school district or
other public agency, are provided special education and related
services in conformance with a properly formulated IEP, at no
cost to parents/guardians; are provided an education that
meets state standards; and retain all the rights of an eligible
student served by a school district in the state of Washington
(34 CFR §300.146). Even when a student is being served by
an NPA, the student’s school district remains responsible for
ensuring that the student is provided FAPE as required by law.

CONTINUED on next page

JULY 2023

MODEL PROCEDURE
2161P
Special Education and Related
Services for Eligible Students

MODEL PROCEDURE
3246P

Restraint, Isolation, and Other
Uses of Reasonable Force

School District Oversight Responsibilities

Aschool district remains responsible for ensuring that
its students who are served by another entity are:

¢ Provided with a free appropriate public education
(FAPE),

¢ Provided with special education and related
services at no cost to the student’s parents and
in conformance with the student’s Individualized
Education Program (IEP), and

¢ Provided with an opportunity to participate in
state and district assessments.

School districts that enter into agreements with other
entities must annually conduct an on-site visit to
ensure that the authorized entity’s facilities, staffing
qualifications and levels, and procedural safeguards
are sufficient to provide a safe and appropriate

learning environment for students. A school district
may arrange for another school district to complete
the annual on-site visit on its behalf, so long as the
school district conducting the on-site visit provides a
written report that documents the on-site visit results,
including any concerns, to the contracting school
district.

Aschool district must provide the parents of the
student being served with:

¢ Asummary of the processes and responsibilities
for reporting incidents of isolation and restraint,
and

¢ Acopy of the complaint procedure developed by
OSPI.

Aschool district contracting with an authorized entity
must also report to OSPI and the State Auditor with
any concerns.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 13


CONTINUED from previous page

The OSPI approval process for NPAs, outlined in
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392-172A-04080
through WAC 392-172A-04110, sets the minimum
requirements for when an IEP team determines it cannot
provide an appropriate education for the student within
the district. OSPI regularly monitors both school district
and NPA compliance through procedures such as written
reports, on-site visits, file reviews, policy guidance, and
parent/guardian interviews.

SB 5315 directs OSPI and school districts to play a more
active role in the ongoing oversight of NPAs. The new
legislation adds requirements in the following areas:

* Expanding OSPI’s oversight authority for authorizing,
monitoring, and investigating NPAs;

* Requiring more frequent on-site visits to NPAs by OSPI
and school district personnel;

* Creating a complaint and investigation processes for
NPAs;

¢ Adding additional minimum contract requirements for
authorizing and reauthorizing entities as NPAs;

¢ Adding additional NPA data collection and reporting to

JULY 2023

OSPI in areas such as attendance, graduation, and the
use of restraints/isolation; and

* Requiring OSPI to submit an annual report to the
Legislature, made available to the public, regarding
students placed at these authorized entities (NPAs).

SB 5315 creates opportunities for the continued
improvement of an important aspect of the overall

system of supports available to students receiving special
education services. OSPI is already at work beginning to
implement changes to the NPA oversight process, including
revisions to the NPA application, approval, and renewal
processes. Conversations with partners from across the
educational landscape are ongoing in order to learn about
the various perspectives on the services made available to
students with disabilities, their families, and the school and
district partners who support them. Schoo! district leaders
are encouraged to reach out to OSPI at npas@k12.wa.us
with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

Dr. Tania May is the Assistant Superintendent of Special
Education for OSPI. Scott Raub is the Assistant Director of
Special Education Policy & Community Engagement for OSPI.

Based on Senate Bill 5315 - Special Education - Nonpublic Agencies, WSSDA has revised:
¢ 2161P - Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students, and
¢ 3246P - Restraint, Isolation, and Other Uses of Reasonable Force.

These are both Essential policies. The revisions mainly impact the model procedures associated with the
policies. The revisions to the model policies themselves are limited to updating legal citations and other

references.



OTHER UPDATES

Policy and Procedure 1400/ 1400P-Meeting

Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum
Category: ESSENTIAL

WSSDA has revised this model policy and procedure
based on HB 1210 - Recording School Board
Meetings. This legislation requires school districts to
make an audio recording of all regular and special
board meetings where final action is taken or formal
public testimony is accepted. The recording must
include school board members’ comments as well
as public comments made during public comment
period, if any. The requirement to record meetings
does not extend to executive sessions or emergency
meetings and does not become effective until June
30, 2024.

WSSDA has also revised this policy to clarify that
the restriction on public comments based on the
district’s policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation,
and bullying is specific to students. Please see

the article titled, “Preventing and Responding to
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying” on page 10
for more information on this topic.

Policy 1440-Mminutes
Category: DISCRETIONARY

WSSDA has revised the legal citations in this policy
to reflect that RCW 42.32.030 was recodified to
RCW 42.30.035. Board approval is not necessary to
update legal references.

Policy 1610-Cconfiicts of Interest (Districts with
2,000 or more students)

Policy 1611 -confiicts of Interest (Districts with
fewer than 2,000 students)

Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA has revised these model policies based on
HB 1577 - Municipal Officers - Beneficial Interest
in Contracts. This legislation increases the monthly
contract value for which municipal officers may have
a beneficial interest from $1,500 to $3,000.

Policy and Procedure 2121/ 2121P-substance
Abuse Program
Category: DISCRETIONARY

WSSDA has revised model policy 2121 - Substance
Abuse Program to reflect HB 1230 - Schools -
Public Health Information. This legislation requires

school districts that maintain a website to post a
prominent link on the district homepage, as well as
the homepage of each school within the district, to
information from the Department of Health (DOH)
about substance use trends, overdose symptoms
and response, and the secure storage of prescription
drugs, over-the-counter medications, and firearms
and ammunition. The legislation also requires school
districts to make the DOH information accessible
through communications on the district’s social
media channels. The required information postings
must occur at least quarterly.

This same legislation also prompted revisions to
model policy 4001 - Public Information Program,
listed below.

Policy and Procedure 2190/ 2190P-nhighly
Capable Programs
Category: ESSENTIAL

WSSDA has revised this model policy/procedure
based on SB 5072 - Highly Capable Students and
Equity. This legislation requires changes to the
referral and screening process for highly capable
student programs to make them more equitable.
The legislation establishes the mandatory use of
universal screenings. The legislation also requires
that referrals be available for all grades not being
universally screened.

(NEW) Policy 2230-transition to Kindergarten
Program

Category: ESSENTIAL (FOR DISTRICTS THAT OFFER
TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN)

Transition to Kindergarten is a legislatively
established and authorized program for children
at least four years old by August 31 who have
been identified through a screening process to
need additional preparation to be successful
kindergarten students the following school

year. OSPI has published data showing that a
Transitional Kindergarten program is an effective
strategy for closing opportunity gaps. Based on HB
1550 - Transition to Kindergarten Program, OSPI is
currently adopting emergency rules for the 2023-
2024 school year and will adopt permanent rules
the following year. WSSDA has developed NEW

Continued on following page

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA

(S) POLICY JULY 2023

15


OTHER UPDATES

Continued from previous page

model policy 2230 to reflect this year’s emergency
rules and will update this policy, as needed, based
on the permanent rules scheduled to be in place
next year.

Policy 3231 -student Records
Category: ESSENTIAL

WSSDA revised this model policy and procedure
based on SB 5127 - Student Personal Information
- Public Records Act Exemption. This important
legislation clarifies that the personal information
of a child, currently or previously enrolled in a
school district, contained in any records, including
correspondence, is exempt from public disclosure
requirements. This same legislation also prompted
revisions to model policy 4040 - Public Access to
District Records, listed below.

Additionally, WSSDA removed language from this
model policy based on HB 1536 - High School
Diplomas - Withholding for Property Damage. The

JULY 2023

Policy and Procedure 3520/ 3520P-student

Fees, Fines, or Charges
Category: ESSENTIAL

WSSDA revised this model policy/procedure based
on HB 1536 - High School Diplomas - Withholding
for Property Damage. This legislation limits school
districts’ authority to withhold a student’s high
school diplomas because the student lost or
willfully damaged district property. Specifically, the
legislation limits withholding a diploma to when
damages exceed $1,000 and requires school
districts to release a student’s withheld diploma
after five years or until the amount owed is less
than $1,000, whichever is earlier. Additionally, the
legislation provides that the district must credit the
monetary value of a student’s community service
toward damages whatever minimum wage is
greater, local or state. School districts must facilitate
easy access to information about withholding
diplomas and publish that information on their
websites.

Policy and Procedure 4001/ 4001P-pPublic

Information Program
Category: ENCOURAGED

legislation is addressed in more detail below in the
section on model policy/procedure 3520 - Student
Fees, Fines, or Charges.

Procedure 324-LP-student Discipline
Category: ESSENTIAL

In addition to the non-substantive edits discussed
in the earlier article Non-Substantive Policy
Revisions, WSSDA revised this model procedure

to correct the omission of short-term suspensions
from the suspensions that can be appealed to the
board. WAC 392.400.465, which is the governing
regulation, does not distinguish between appeals
for short-term or long-term suspensions. Therefore,
we’ve made this correction to the model procedure.

WSSDA has renumbered this policy and procedure
(from 4000 to 4001) to distinguish it from the
table of contents heading for the 4000 series

of policies and procedures. WSSDA has revised
this model policy/procedure to reflect HB 1230

- Schools - Public Health Information. As noted
above, this legislation requires school districts that
maintain a website to post a prominent link on the
district homepage, as well as the homepage of
each school within the district, to information from
the DOH about substance use trends, overdose
symptoms and response, and the secure storage of
prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications,
and firearms and ammunition. The legislation

also requires school districts to make the DOH
information accessible through the district’s social
media channels. The required information postings
must occur at least quarterly.

This same legislation also prompted revisions to
model policy 2121 - Substance Abuse Program,
listed above.

Continued on following page

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA

16


OTHER UPDATES

Continued from previous page

Policy and Procedure 4040/ 4040P-pPublic

Access to District Records
Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA revised this policy and procedure based

on HB 1533 - Personal Information of Certain
Public Employees - Public Records Act Exemption.
This legislation creates a new exemption to the
Public Records Act that prevents disclosure of an
employee’s personally identifiable information if
the employee is a survivor of domestic violence,
sexual assault, harassment, or stalking. This same
legislation prompted revisions to 6513 - Workplace
Violence Prevention, listed below.

WSSDA also revised this policy/procedure based on
SB 5127 - Student Personal Information - Public
Records Act Exemption. This legislation clarifies
that the personal information of a child currently or
previously enrolled in a school district, contained in
any records, including correspondence, is exempt
from public disclosure requirements. This same
legislation also prompted revisions to model policy
3231 - Student Records, listed above.

Additionally, WSSDA revised this model policy/
procedure based on HB 1210 - Recording School
Board Meetings. This same legislation also
prompted revisions to model policy 1400 - Meeting
Conduct, listed above.

Policy 5050-contracts
Category: ESSENTIAL

WSSDA has revised this model policy based on SB
5175 - School Principals - Employment Contracts
- Term. The legislation extends the maximum term
of a written contract between a school board and a

principal from one to three years, if the principal has:

e been employed as a principal for three or more
consecutive years;

been recommended by the superintendent as
a candidate for a two or three-year contract
because the principal has demonstrated the
ability to stabilize instructional practices,

and received a comprehensive performance
rating of level 3 or above in their most recent
comprehensive performance evaluation; and

e met the school district’s requirements for

JULY 2023

satisfying an updated record check.

Additional revisions to this model policy address HB
1015 - Paraeducator Employment Assessments.
This legislation addresses minimum employment
requirements for paraeducators.

Policy 5310-compensation
Category: DISCRETIONARY

WSSDA has revised this model policy based on
SB 5650 - K-12 Employees - Salary Inflationary
Increases. For the 2023-2024 school year, the
legislation changes the inflationary adjustment
index to 3.7 percent. For the 2024-2025 school
year, the legislation defines the inflationary
adjustment index as the implicit price deflator for
the previous calendar year.

Policy 6020-system of Funds and Accounts
Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA has revised this model policy based on SB
5403 - School District Depreciation Sub-funds. This
legislation requires school districts that have fewer
than 2000 students to establish a depreciation sub-
fund within their general fund to reserve funds for
future facility and equipment needs. The legislation
allows for up to two percent of a school district’s
general funds to be deposited into the depreciation
sub-fund each fiscal year for emergency facility
needs and preventative maintenance. The model
policy revisions reflecting these provisions are
offered in brackets to indicate that school districts
with more than 2000 students are not required to
adopt these provisions.

Policy and Procedure 6215-eExpense Claim

Certification and Approval
Category: ESSENTIAL

WSSDA has revised and renamed this policy and
procedure to update the current usage terms and
to resolve a mismatch between statutory provisions
and common practice.

(NEW) Policy and Procedure 6217/ 6217P-

Electronic Funds Transfer
Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA has developed this model policy to authorize

Continued on following page

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS = WSSDA 417


OTHER UPDATES

Continued from previous page

your district’s use of electronic methods of payment,
including electronic funds transfers (EFT). Please
note that the State Auditor’s Office requires adopting
an authorizing policy before implementing electronic
payments.

Policy and Procedure 6220/ 6220P-Bid or

Request for Proposal Requirements
Category: ESSENTIAL

WSSDA has revised this model policy and procedure
to reflect input from the State Auditor’s Office (SAO)
and the Washington Association of School Business
Officials (WASBO). The revisions specify that school
boards must have entered into agreements under
the Interlocal Cooperation Act before making any
purchase utilizing those special terms. The revisions
also clarify information about procurement using
federal funds. The updates also incorporate provisions
from HB 1086 - Local Government Contracting

- Community Service Organizations regarding

the community service organization exception to
competitive bidding laws for public works.

Policy and Procedure 6513/ 6513 P-workplace

Violence Prevention
Category: DISCRETIONARY

WSSDA revised this policy/procedure based on
HB 1533 - Personal Information of Certain Public
Employees - Public Records Act Exemption.

This legislation creates a new exemption to the
Public Records Act that prevents disclosure of an
employee’s personally identifiable information if
the employee is a survivor of domestic violence,
sexual assault, harassment, or stalking. This same
legislation prompted revisions to 4040 - Public
Access to District Records, listed above.

Policy 6530-insurance
Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA has revised this model policy to track
better with RCW 28A.400.350 and add language
from HB 1521 - Workers’ Compensation Claims -
Duties of Self-Insured Employers and Third-Party
Administrators. The revisions acknowledge that the
School Employees’ Benefits Board (SEBB) program
governs school employees’ medical insurance.

JULY 2023

(NEW) Policy 6550-capitalization Threshold for

Leases and Subscription-Based Information
Technology Arrangements
Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA has developed this model policy to

address recent statements of the Governmental
Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regarding lease
and subscription-based information technology
arrangements. The GASB statements reference a
capitalization threshold set by the district, prompting
the need for a board policy setting such a threshold.
Please note that school districts that do not

engage in lease or subscription-based technology
arrangements do not need to adopt this policy.

Policy and Procedure 6605/ 6605P-student

Safety, Walking, Biking, and Riding Buses
Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA has revised this model policy to reflect that
districts no longer need safety advisory committees
after the repeal of WAC 392-151-017.

Policy and (NEW) Procedure 6959/ 6959P-

Acceptance of Completed Project
Category: ENCOURAGED

WSSDA has revised this model policy to better

align with the statutes pertaining to public works
contracts that receive state funding. Additionally,
WSSDA has developed a NEW accompanying model
procedure to support procedural matters without
locating those portions in the policy.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS ® WSSDA

18


urassic
Parliament

Mastering meetings using Robert’s Rules

WSSDA is excited to support school board members in bolstering
their knowledge of parliamentary procedures by partnering with
Jurassic Parliament and sharing their informational posts. Jurassic
Parliament is dedicated to helping people understand and utilize
Robert’s Rules of Order so they can hold effective public and
nonprofit board meetings with minimal drama. You can learn more
about Jurassic Parliament at Jurassicparliament.com

Jseful and
Practical Phrase a

JULY 2023

Chair Can Sa

By Ann Macfarlane, PRP, CAE

view of Jurassic Parliament, the most useful and

practical phrase a chair can say is “Members will
kindly seek recognition before speaking.” This is based
on our 20+ years of experience, in which the tendency
of meetings to dissolve into conversations among the
members is ever-present. When that happens, and
people blurt something out or start talking directly to
each other, the chair can use this phrase to firmly and
politely remind people of the rules..

] t's a little risky to make extreme claims, but in the

Discussion Is Not a Conversation

As we emphasize in all our work, discussion at

board meetings is normally not a conversation. Ina
conversation, dominant people tend to dominate, and
agreeable people tend to let them. This leads to back-
and-forth, interruptions, arguments, and shutting some
members out of the dialogue. The remedy is that superb
rule: No one may speak a second time until everyone
who wishes to do so has spoken once.

The chair functions as a “benevolent dictator” by
insisting that everyone who wishes to speak must seek
recognition from the chair. You “seek recognition” by
raising a hand or pressing a button, if you have an
electronic system. In this way the chair keeps control of
the discussion and creates a level playing field.

More Casual Phrases to Use

If these words are too formal for your group, you can
phrase this directive more lightly. When someone speaks
up without being recognized, you can say, “Excuse me, in
order to keep things fair, everyone please wait to speak
until the chair has recognized you.” When someone
interrupts, you can say, “Just a moment, Josh, Elaine has
the floor.”

Including Everyone and Advancing Equity

This approach is also the best way to provide for equity,
inclusion, and belonging. Members from less-recognized
populations will receive their due opportunity. When
everyone's right to speak is equally respected, the group
can develop a sense of common commitment. And if the
board is divided and at odds, this rule will at least keep
order.

What do you think about this? Have you tried it? Let us
know!

Ann Macfarlane is the principal trainer for Jurassic Parliament.
She holds the credential of Professional Registered
Parliamentarian, offered by the National Association of
Parliamentarians.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS =» WSSDA 19



Policy « Legal News

Policy & Legal News is published quarterly by the Washington
State School Directors’ Association to provide information of
interest to school directors and the education community. The
views expressed in opinion articles appearing in Policy & Legal
News are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent
WSSDA policies or positions. © 2020-2025 Washington State
School Directors’ Association. All rights reserved.

WSSDA Officers

Ron Mabry, President

Sandy Hayes, President-Elect

Derek Sarley, Vice President

Danny Edwards, Immediate Past President
Editor-in-Chief

Abigail Westbrook, J.D., Director, Policy and Legal Services
Policy Specialist

Kelsey Winters, Policy and Legal Specialist
Assistant Editor

Sean Duke, Communications Officer

Design & Layout
Robby McClellan, Communications Specialist

WSSDA DIRECTORY

Generalllnfonmationessseeee eee eee seers 360-252-3000
Leadership Development .................- 360-890-5868
Strategic Advocacy ..............0.ee eee 360-481-5842
Communications .................e.eee eee 360-252-3013
Policyandiliegall SeivicGS pease serene 360-252-3018
Email....... 2... c cee cece eee cece eeeee mail@wssda.org
VISION

All Washington School Directors effectively govern to ensure
each and every student has what they need to be successful
within our state’s public education system.

MISSION

WSSDA builds leaders by empowering its members with tools,
knowledge and skills to govern with excellence and advocate
for public education.

BELIEFS
WSSDA believes:

¢ Public education is the foundation to the creation of
our citizenry, and locally elected school boards are the
foundation to the success of public education.

¢ High-functioning, locally elected school boards are essential
to create the foundation for successfully impacting the
learning, development and achievement of each and every
student.

¢ Ethical, effective and knowledgeable school directors are
essential for quality public schools.

¢ Focusing on and addressing educational equity is
paramountto assure the achievement of each and every
student.

¢ Public school directors are best served trough an innovative,
responsive, and flexible organization that provides
exceptional leadership, professional learning, and services
in governance, policy, and advocacy.

WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL
We DIRECTORS’ ASSOCIATION
(800) 562-8927
100 Years ofLeadershio _—~P.O. Box 5248, Lacey, WA 98509 USA
wssda.org

Ww SPECIAL THANKS JULY 2023

The Editor would like to thank the following people for

their contributions to this issue: Anthony Anselmo, J.D., Stevens
Clay, P.S.; Samantha Bowen, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
(OSPI); Mikhail Cherniske, OSPI; Ella DeVerse, OSPI; Madhumitha Gandhi;
Richard Kaiser, J.D., Law Offices of Richard Kaiser; Megan Knottingham, J.D.,
Porter Foster Rorick LLP; Daniel Lunghofer, MPA, WSSDA; Ann Macfarlane,
PRP, CAE, Jurassic Parliament; Tania May, Ph.D., OSPI; Representative

Dave Paul, Ph.D., Washington State Legislature; Scott Raub, J.D., OSPI;
Representative Marcus Riccelli, MPA, Washington State Legislature;
Elizabeth Robertson, J.D., Porter Foster Rorick LLP; Christian Stark, OSPI;
and Lorraine Wilson, Porter Foster Rorick, LLP.

Keeping your board’s
policies current
can be challenging

Reduce your legal vulnerabilities and save
your district staff time by contacting
WSSDA for help!

Changes in the law and recommended practices occur
frequently, so policy-making should be an ongoing task
for school boards.

WSSDA’s policy review services are tailored to your
district’s needs. Our review will occur in installments
to make it easier for your board to consider

revisions on an ongoing basis.

Visit wssda.org/policyreview

for more information.

POLICY AND LEGAL NEWS » WSSDA 20