2023 WASA WSSDA WASBO Legislative Conference and Day on the Hill February 26 and 27, 2023
ABOUT The 2023 Legislative Session is the first year of the 68th Biennial Legislature, known as the “long” session (105 days). Even in a long session, the action will be fast and furious. Fiscal issues will be a major topic, especially for K–12 education with the required compensation “rebase,” continued underfunding of special education, and other ongoing education needs. Of course, policy issues will also be plentiful, even though educators’ plates are already overflowing. With continuing budget concerns and an urgent need to put a “pause on policy,” it will be essential for education leaders to actively participate in the legislative process to ensure our needs are not forgotten. Additionally, it will be critical, perhaps more than ever before, for education leaders to speak with one voice. The WASA • WSSDA • WASBO Legislative Conference is your opportunity to hear updates on our shared legislative priorities, the current education budget and policy landscape, and how to effectively advocate for our collective needs. We encourage you to join your colleagues for this important event! TARGET AUDIENCE Superintendents, central office administrators, and school board directors.
OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Shankar Vedantam Host, Hidden Brain Podcast
Returning in 2023 to explore deeper learning, Shankar Vedantam will offer unique insights into how our unconscious biases―what he calls the "hidden brain"―affect the decisions we make as individuals, groups, and organizations. He bases these insights on scientific studies and empirical research, not on lay theories about the subconscious mind. Shankar will apply his research and stories as it applies to advocating with our Washington State legislators. Resources from Shankar Prior to the event, WASA suggests listening to some of Shankar's podcast episodes (NPR's Hidden Brain), to give a better understanding of the conference conversation.
DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION Sunday, February 26, 2023 | 1:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m. South Puget Sound Community College Performing Arts Center
CONFERENCE AND PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS February 26, 2023 | 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
REGIONAL PLANNING MEETINGS February 26. 2023 | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Regional Planning Meetings (RPMs) will be organized by legislative district and will occur from 5:00 – 6:00 at SPSCC. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the conference's "hot topics" and coordinate logistics for meetings with legislators. DAY ON THE HILL February 27, 2023 Stay tuned for information about our Day on the Hill meetings with legislators. The full schedule will be posted as the conference nears.
REGISTRATION Registration Rate until January 31, 2023: $235 per person Registration Rate beginning February 1, 2023: $260 per person
Please Note: Confirmations will be sent out in batches every half hour. Due to limited capacity, student registration is limited to two student representatives to the school board and regular conference rates apply. Districts wishing to bring additional student representatives should contact Lisa Gehman at lgehman@wasa-oly.org or 360.489.3640 to place additional students on the waiting list.
CANCELLATION A $75 administrative fee applies to all cancellations submitted by February 13, 2023. No refunds after February 13, 2023. No Show = No Refund. CLOCK HOURS Up to 5.0 Washington State Approved Clock Hours are available based on your participation. Clock-hours forms will be located at the registration table.
MEALS The following meals are included in registration:
COVID PROTOCOLS The health and safety of everyone at our conference is of paramount importance to us. WASA will follow appropriate standards at the time of the conference.
QUESTIONS Please contact Lisa Gehman at lgehman@wasa-oly.org with conference registration questions. Contact Mike Nelson at mnelson@wasa-oly.org with questions about the conference.
Interested in attending an upcoming conference? Check out the WASA Conference Calendar.