The role of a School Director involves working as a school board team to oversee the big picture of the school district. Directors are not involved in daily operations, but you help guide the district through these key responsibilities:

• Set the vision, mission, and strategic goals for the district

• Review, revise, and adopt policies

• Establish and oversee the budget

• Hiring and Evaluating the Superintendent

• Serve as community representatives

• Monitor the district’s progress toward its goals

The Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) offers a number of materials on this topic, including videos, a candidate handbook, and a website.

A candidate for the School Board must be:

• A resident of Kelso

• A registered voter in the school district

(To register to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States, a legal resident of Washington State, and at least 18 years old by Election Day.)
 
Neither a board member nor his/her spouse or dependent family members may be employed by the school district, except when the board member’s spouse was employed by the district before the election or appointment to the board.

All candidates and elected officials must file a financial disclosure statement and report all campaign finances to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). If elected, annual filing is required.

Candidates who meet the legal qualifications above must file a Declaration of Candidacy with Cowlitz County Elections during the May filing period. There is no filing fee. The general election is in November, but the primary election is in August. If no more than two people file for a position, there will be no primary election for that position.

Newly elected board members take office at the first official board meeting following the certification of election results by the county auditor or county elections officer. This typically occurs the first week in December.

Requirements

1. Open Government Trainings

   1. Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) (Due within 90 days of taking office)

   2. Public Records Act (PRA) (Due within 90 days of taking office)

2. Equity training (Two - 2.5-hour trainings (5 hours total) must be completed within 2 years of taking office. One 2.5-hour training is required each subsequent term of office.) 

3. All elected officials must file annually with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) by April 15.

1. Board Meetings 

   • 1-2 monthly during the school year starting at 5:00 or 6:00, 1 monthly during summer months starting at 4:00 or 5:00

   • Additional executive/exempt sessions as needed (typically following board meetings)

2. Board Retreats

3. Listening Tours

   • 11 throughout the year (2 board members in attendance at each)

4. Cabinet Visits

   • 33 throughout the year (2 board members in attendance at each)

5. Committee Assignments

   • Dependent on the committee's schedule 

6. WSSDA Conference 

   • Every November for 2 days (either in Spokane or Bellevue) 

7. Evaluations

   • Superintendent 

   • School Board

8. Support Opportunities

   • School events

   • Special activities that support KSD (i.e., Chamber events)

9. Graduation

   • Participation in the KSD graduation ceremony yearly in June

School board members are elected to a term of four (4) years.

In case of a board vacancy, the remaining board members will appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the next regularly scheduled board election, at which time a director will be elected to the unexpired term, if any. The vacancy and application process will be posted on the district website. Candidate interviews will take place during a meeting open to the public.

1. Materials from the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) website:

   • What Makes a Great School Board Member Flyer

   • WSSDA Virtual Candidate Workshops

   • Becoming a School Director

   • A Guide for Effective School Board Members

   • WA School Board Standards

2. Cowlitz County

   • Elections website

3. Washington Secretary of State

   • Elections website

4. Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC)

   • Running for Office