Press Room
State Board positions open
Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson recently announced that OSPI will conduct an election in November 2007 for three elected positions to the State Board of Education - two to be elected by public school board members, Eastern Region Position 1 and Western Region Position 3, and one by the board members of approved private schools.
The State Board is composed of 16 members: two members from the eastern region of the state and three members from the western region, elected by public school board members; one member, at large, elected by approved private schools; the superintendent of public instruction; seven members appointed by the governor; and two student representatives selected by members of the State Board themselves.
Candidates for the public school board member-elected positions must be residents of the region they wish to represent and cannot be employed by any public or private school, college, university or other educational institution, any educational service district or the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction after being elected to the State Board. Once elected to the State Board, a member must resign from any public school or private school board of directors.
The State Board of Education helps develop programs that prepare each student for the future. It provides policy leadership, support and advocacy to help each student achieve success in school and life. Among its many responsibilities, it sets high school graduation requirements, is responsible for the capital budget for K-12 schools, accredits schools and administers the Basic Education Act. More information about board service requirements is available through the State Board of Education office in Olympia 360.725.6025 or via email at sbe@k12.wa.us.
All interested candidates must file a "declaration of candidacy" and optional biographical data forms with the state superintendent's office in Olympia by 5 p.m. August 1. These forms are available at http://www.k12.wa.us/ProfPractices/adminresources/SBEelections.aspx or by request through mail at Administrative Resource Services, Superintendent of Public Instruction, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.