CONGRATULATIONS to the Wapato School Board of Directors for earning the State “Board of Distinction” recognition from the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) as a medium sized district. Wapato School Board members include President, John Francisco, Vice President, Sarah Divina, Javier Vela, Lori Garcia and Lorenzo Alvarado.
The annual WSSDA Boards of Distinction program honors school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards. The standards promote research-based governance practices that lead to high levels of student and district achievement, and help close the opportunity gap.
The Wapato Board’s application focused on the importance of providing a high-quality learning environment for all students as a way to help close the opportunity gap. It referenced the efforts to engage the community during the District’s successful $33-million bond campaign to replace aging schools. Voters approved the bond in February.
WSSDA Director of Leadership Development, Heather Curl, says “We were impressed with your district’s focus on equitable education facilities and the collaboration and community engagement efforts evident in your application which laid the foundation for the passage of a bond.”
All of the Boards of Distinction honorees will be recognized during the President’s Dinner at the Annual State WSSDA Conference taking place November 21-23 in Spokane.
The Wapato Board’s selection as a Board of Distinction also puts it in the running to be chosen as one of the Boards of the Year. Each year WSSDA recognizes one board from each of its three categories of small, medium & large school districts as a Board of the Year. The Boards of the Year will be revealed during the State Conference.