Each individual board member will annually review the WSSDA Individual School Director Standards as a basis for assessing his/her own conduct as an elected representative of the board of directors. Collectively, the board will assess its performance in terms of its five major functions.
A. Communication of and commitment to high expectations for student learning - The board will demonstrate its responsibility for providing a community vision of its schools by:
- Working with the community to determine the district’s educational program and what students need to know and be able to do;
- Formulating educational goals based on community expectations and the needs of students;
- Encouraging leadership, instruction and assessment, and curriculum development activities directed toward goals; and
- Annually reviewing the district’s progress and direction against its vision.
B. Responsible School District Governance – The board will demonstrate its responsibilities for establishing an organizational structure by:
- Enacting policies that provide a definite course of action;
- Monitoring the implementation of policies;
- Reviewing proposed labor agreements, staffing recommendations and staff evaluations;
- Formulating budgets; and
- Working to ensure a healthy learning and working environment that supports continuous improvement.
C. Creating conditions district-wide for student and staff success – The board will demonstrate accountability by:
- Employing and supporting quality teachers, administrators, and other staff;
- Adopting and monitoring an annual budget that allocates resources based on the district’s vision, goals, and priorities;
- Providing for learning essentials including rigorous curriculum, technology, and high quality facilities:
- Providing for the safety and security of all students and staff;
- Reviewing building and grounds maintenance and needs;
- Reviewing transportation services and other support services; and
- Initiating and reviewing internal and external audits.
D. Engagement of the Community in Education – The board will advocate for education and on behalf of students and their schools by:
- Keeping the community informed about its schools;
- Participating in school and community activities; and
- Encouraging citizen involvement in the schools.
E. Holding the district accountable for student learning – The board will oversee the district and superintendent’s performance by:
- Annually reviewing district and school improvement plans;
- Developing written expectations for the superintendent and communicating those to the community; and
- Basing decisions about the superintendent’s contract on the objective evaluation of the superintendent’s achievement of performance expectations.
The WSSDA School Director Standards can be found online.
Highline School District 401
Adopted by the Board: March 1983
Revised by the Board: 8.03, 9.08, 4.12, 3.15