SBE will say farewell to one of its most influential student Board members at the upcoming May Board meeting: McKenna Roberts. McKenna was selected by AWSL as a sophomore and served during her junior and senior years. She is passionate about representing students in rural settings (she will graduate from Okanogan High School this May), comprehensive sexual health education for all students, ethnic studies, and mental health support. She was also instrumental in advocating for SB 5497 which gave student members voting rights on the Board this past session.

Learn more about her body of work on the Board on SBE's latest blog post. Join McKenna and her fellow student Board member, Pavan Venkatakrishnan during this evening’s student-led, student-voice graduation requirements listening session. Learn more: sbe.wa.gov/alignment.

According to the National Association of State Boards of Education, at least 14 state boards nation-wide reserve a place for an educator director. We're thankful that in our state, Governor J. Inslee's office and the Washington Education Association work together to ensure an educator has a seat at our table. We appreciate our most recent teacher representatives, Holly Koon, who just left SBE after nearly ten years of outstanding service, and the newly appointed, Washington State Teacher of the Year, Brooke Brown! Our Board would not be the same without you!

The State Board of Education is excited to announce the addition of Donalda Brantley as new student Board member, and east-side student representative. Donalda is a current sophomore at John R. Rogers High School in Spokane. Her first meeting as a Board member will be in July, when she will be officially appointed. (Photograph: Donalda and her Miniature Doberman Pinscher, Brownie).

"Student voice is invaluable to us as a Board," said Chair Bill Kallappa. "Donalda's interview moved the selection committee. Her experience as a student leader, athlete, and her volunteer work with Spokane's tribal youth employment program speak to her dedication to community. We're ecstatic that she will join the Board and lend her voice and vote."

This past session, student Board members were given voting authority on the State Board by the Governor and Legislature (SB 5497). Learn more about Donalda.

The Board will hold its May meeting next week (May 11-12). The agenda includes changes to bylaws (about student vote), graduation requirements emergency waivers, institutional education, graduation pathways research, and more. Download the agenda and connection information.

The meeting will be accessible in person (Campbell's on Lake Chelan), on Zoom, and TVW will stream the two-day gathering.