In keeping with the need for continuing professional development to enhance effective governance, the board encourages the participation of its members at appropriate board conferences, workshops, and conventions. Additionally, board members will obtain the trainings required by Washington state. Funds for board leadership training and professional development will be budgeted for on an annual basis.

Required Training for School Board Directors
There are two areas of training required by Washington state:
•    Open Government training, and 
•    Cultural Competency, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training

Board directors will document their completion of required trainings. The Superintendent or designee will file and maintain the documentation in the district.

Open Government Training
The school board values public participation and transparency. All board directors must complete training on the Open Public Meetings Act, Public Records Act, and Public Records Retention within 90 days of taking the oath of office. Refresher training is required at least every four years while in office. These trainings may be completed before taking office and are available through the Washington Attorney General’s Office and the Washington State School Directors’ Association annual conference.

Cultural Competency, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training
Beginning with the 2022 calendar year, each member of a board of directors shall complete a governance training program once per term of elected office. If the director is appointed or elected to a first term of office, the director must complete governance training requirements within two years of appointment or certification of the election in which they were elected.
 
The governance training completed by directors must be aligned with the cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion standards for school director governance developed and provided by the Washington State School Directors’ Association. Per Washington state law, the required training elements for both first and subsequent school director terms are defined by the Washington State School Directors’ Association.
 
Recommended Professional Development for School Directors
In addition to the required areas of training above, Walla Walla Public Schools is committed to ongoing professional development both for individual school board directors and the board as whole. Each school board director is a member of the Washington State School Directors’ Association, which provides professional development and resources at its annual conference and through year-round leadership development services for individual school board directors and boards.

Cross References:
1005 - Key Functions of the Board 
1731 - Board Member Expenses 
1810 - Annual Governance Goals and Objectives 
1820 - Board Self-Assessment 

Legal References:
ESSB 5964, Open Government Trainings Act 
RCW 28A.343.360, Oath of Office 
RCW 28A.345.120 School director governance—Cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion—Training programs 
RCW 40, Public Documents, Records, and Publications 
RCW 40.14, Preservation and Destruction of Public Records 
RCW 42.30, Open Public Meetings Act 
RCW 42.56, Public Records Act 
RCW 42.56.580, Public Records Officers

Adopted:  July 15, 2025