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School Board Appreciation Month

By Superintendent Wade Smith
January is School Board Appreciation Month in Washington State. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated board members and ask the Walla Walla community to join me in the same.
• Mrs. Ruth Ladderud, Board President, board member since 2012
• Dr. David Hampson, Board Vice-President, board member since 2013
• Mr. Derek Sarley, board member since 2015
• Mrs. Terri Trick, board member since 2018
• Mr. Sam Wells, board member since 2014

School board members maintain a tremendous responsibility. As publicly elected officials, they volunteer countless hours to ensure all students of Walla Walla Public Schools graduate with the skills and abilities to lead successful adult lives. In addition, they also help instill the social and civic experiences necessary of its future citizenry in order to safeguard our great democracy. Our five school board members receive no compensation for their tireless efforts. They represent you as a link between the community and the classroom and they take this responsibility seriously. Walla Walla school board members spend considerable time crafting policies, adopting curriculum, participating in ongoing professional development, ensuring financial accountability, and preserving the historic investment in our school facilities. While doing so, they continue their relentless focus on what is best for all children across our twelve campuses.

Being an effective school board member is no easy task. The time spent in board meetings represents a small fraction of the hours school board members devote to the district. They must read and study about many complex educational issues while ensuring accountability toward daunting levels of increased state and federal mandates. They work together as a team towards a common vision - “Developing Washington’s Most Sought-after Graduates” - ensuring all students gain the knowledge and skills to be responsible, tolerant, and productive citizens. School board members know their decisions affect our children - what they learn, who will teach them, and what types of facilities are adequate for their learning experiences. They make a difference for every child in Walla Walla Public Schools.

To say this is a dynamic time in public education is an understatement. In a globally competitive world, increased expectations for student outcomes are measured through federally mandated high-stakes assessments. Meanwhile, staggering increases in the number of students living in poverty, a demographically shifting student landscape, and children with heightened social and emotional needs, reveal the urgency to adapt our educational system. Rather than shying away from the challenges faced, our Walla Walla school board has embraced these as opportunities to improve our schools. Our dedicated and responsive school board has implemented several initiatives:
• research-based dual language programs to support inclusivity and bi-literacy/bi-culturalism
• increased efforts to support engagement for students through enhanced Latino/a outreach and programming
• removed financial barriers for students to encourage greater youth participation in athletics and activities
• sponsored the Walla Walla Public Schools “We All Belong Here” campaign to ensure tolerance and acceptance across all campuses
• engaged in a historic three-year process that resulted in the overwhelming support from our community on our recent capital bond measure, all without an increase in local tax rates.

Once a year is far too infrequent to recognize and honor the dedication, hard work, and selfless commitment of our school board members. However, I would ask that you please take a moment this month to thank those who currently serve and those who have served before them. The future success of our students, Walla Walla community, and democracy depends on the continued leadership and guidance from our devoted and representative school board.

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

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