School Board Directors are essential in education!
School board members are active leaders in our schools. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance.
Becoming a school board member
School boards need to represent the diversity of their school communities to ensure a bright future for all our children. Parents/caregivers and people in the wider community can be parent representatives.
The school board elections are the opportunity to vote for candidates who will make a positive difference for children’s education. We need more people willing to use their skills and experiences for the benefit of students!
The Board of Directors of the Bremerton School District is made up of five citizens who are elected at large for four-year terms.
To be legally eligible for the office of school director, a person must be registered to vote within the Bremerton School District attendance area.
Neither a Board member nor his/her spouse or interdependent family members may be employed by the school district, except when the member's spouse or family member was employed by the District prior to the election or appointment to the Board.
A person may become a candidate for a place on the Board by filing a declaration of candidacy with the county auditor during the May filing period as prescribed by law. In the event that there are more than two candidates for any position on the Board, a primary election shall be held on the third Tuesday of August in the manner prescribed by law. The two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the election ballot in November.
School Board directors are elected to a 4-year term. In case of a Board vacancy, an appointee will fill the vacancy until the next regularly scheduled Board election, at which time a director will be elected for the unexpired term, if any. Elections for BSD Directors occur only in odd years (i.e., 2021, 2023).
When does a newly-elected Board member begin?
After the county elections officer certifies the November election results, the newly elected Board member(s) take office at the next official Board meeting - normally the 2nd Thursday in December.
How often does the School Board meet?
The BSD Board holds regular meetings on most first and third Thursdays at 5:00 pm. Exceptions are November, December, January, April and July, where we hold only one "regular" meeting on the second Thursday of those months. These dates occasionally change due to conflicts with holidays or school breaks.
What is the time commitment?
Regular meetings average 1 to 2 hours. Special Study Sessions normally occur at least one time per month and lasts 1 to 3 hours. Additional time is needed for study/review of meeting materials as well as participation in other functions, such as school visits, community or school meetings, and graduations. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact our superintendent or a current member of the BSD Board to gather more information.
Each year, the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) hosts free workshops for potential school directors. Pre-registration is required.
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