Kent School Board named Board of Distinction for sixth consecutive year

Kent School Board named Board of Distinction for sixth consecutive year

Reporter staff

The Kent School Board has been recognized as a Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association.

Agda Burchard, Karen DeBruler, Russell Hanscom, Deborah Straus, and Maya Vengadasalam serve on the board.

WSSDA this week announced the 24 school boards throughout the state to receive the honor – the largest number in the eight-year history of the program.

“This is the sixth consecutive year our school board has won this prestigious award,” Kent School District Superintendent Calvin J. Watts said in a media release. “With nearly 300 school districts in the state of Washington, our board has distinguished itself and continues to be recognized for excellence, accountability, and stewardship. We could not be prouder of this accomplishment.”

The annual Boards of Distinction program honors school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards adopted by WSSDA in 2009. This year, boards demonstrated the following:

• Being accountable and open to public, and seeking divergent perspectives in its decision making.

• Adopting a collaboratively developed district plan focused on learning and achievement.

• Employing and supporting quality teachers, administrators and other staff and providing professional development.

Through the application process, which was evaluated by an independent review panel, boards addressed specific decisions their boards had made and evidence on how they were working to help close the opportunity gap.

The Boards of Distinction will be honored Nov. 17 during WSSDA’s annual conference in Spokane. At that time, the association will also announce the 2016 Board of the Year winners.