Four school districts in the ESD 112 region were recently recognized as 2021 Boards of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). Battle Ground, Castle Rock, Kelso and Washougal School Districts join 30 other school districts that were honored for exemplifying visionary leadership and closing opportunity gaps within their school districts.

“Despite historic challenges this year, school boards displayed tremendous leadership in bringing students back to in-person learning safely and creatively,” said WSSDA Director of Leadership Development Tricia Lubach.

An article that ran in The Daily News highlighted some of the actions the Kelso and Castle Rock School Districts took in order to address opportunity gaps that were exacerbated by the challenges created by remote and hybrid education. The article explored how the two school districts navigated some of the unique circumstances in order to address issues such as learning gaps, and the urgent and growing need for summer school and district child care programs. For more information, the article can be found online, here. An article recognizing Washougal School District’s board achievement may be found online, here.

WSSDA’s Boards of Distinction program is about helping school boards govern successfully by aligning their efforts with the Washington School Board Standards. To be considered for recognition as a Board of Distinction, boards fill out an application, which doubles as an exercise in self-reflection. All successful applicants will be named a Board of Distinction. Then, within the categories of small, medium and large school districts, a board that demonstrates exemplary actions and outcomes may also be honored as a Board of the Year.