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Board of Distinction award

The Washington State School Directors’ Association announced Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors has been selected to receive the ‘Board of Distinction Award’. The district will receive the award at the state directors’ conference ceremony to be held Nov. 15 in Spokane. This is the first Board of Distinction award in district history for Walla Walla.

The Board of Distinction award program recognizes school boards that show evidence of applying best practice standards endorsed by the Washington State School Directors’ Association. Recipients must document they meet rigorous accountability and leadership practices through evidence-based actions. Selection criteria also includes aligning and incorporating high quality governance attributes to improve district operations and student learning.

The application process was open from July 9 to Sept. 20. School board applications included an accounting of the most relevant work accomplished leading up to submission. Focus areas included ensuring there were non-negotiable goals in place for student achievement. Recipients also had to demonstrate how they were providing for learning essentials, including rigorous curriculum, technology and actions to attain high-quality facilities. Award merit was also based on evaluating the superintendent on clear and focused expectations, including evidence of making gains on the opportunity gap based on student achievement data.

School board member Ruth Ladderud helped coordinate the award submission. She has served on the school board since 2012.

“I’ve always felt as a board this is something we should aspire to and this spring as a board we felt we were making the adjustments and turning the corner so the timing was right to apply,” said Ladderud. “All means all in Walla Walla and we were able to demonstrate that every student is valued, cared for and important, and I believe this is what led to the award selection.”

WALLA WALLA PUBLIC SCHOOLS • 364 South Park St. • Walla Walla, WA 99362 • Phone: 509-527-3000 • Fax: 509.529.7713

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