Welcome back for a new school year! As districts across Washington prepare for the year ahead, the State Board of Education has also been looking ahead.
Over the past few months, the Board has taken important steps to advance the FutureReady graduation requirements proposal, welcomed new staff, elected new Executive Committee members, and preparing for the 2027 legislative session.
We encourage you to visit our FutureReady webpage for a comprehensive summary of the proposal. We've also collected the most frequent questions we’ve received and created an FAQ page. This page includes information about the recommendation development process, credit and subject-area requirements, implementation, funding, and more.
Click the image to view a PDF of this credit framework.
The Board held its annual officer elections during its August meeting and filled three at-large positions on the Executive Committee. Dr. Angela Griffin and Dr. Susana Reyes were re-elected to the Executive Committee, while Jen Chong Jewell was elected to serve on the committee for the first time. At-large members serve one-year terms. They join Board Chair Mary Fertakis and Vice Chair Brooke Brown.
The Board also recognized Bill Kallappa as he concluded his service on the Executive Committee. Bill previously served as Board Chair and made significant contributions to the Board’s work during his tenure.
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Erin Happenny has joined the Board’s staff as its newest administrative assistant. Erin will provide fiscal and travel support for meetings and events, as well as customer service to support Board operations.
What inspired you to work for the Board and what excites you most about your new role?
I’ve been adjacent to and within Washington’s education system for quite some time. Before joining SBE, I worked for Ted Brown Music and Music & Arts, supporting K-12 music educators throughout Western Washington. I also spent several years at Lakewold Gardens, a nonprofit public garden, which sparked my interest in public service. I continue to perform, adjudicate, and teach flute, including as a Teaching Artist with the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia.
Throughout these experiences, I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand the potential of our local learning communities. The transformative power of arts participation inspires me every day, and I’m honored to support the Board’s work to empower Washington students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Do you have any hobbies or interests you’re passionate about?
I play flute and piccolo, powerlift, and garden! You can find me deep in my "tomato forest," reaching for a new deadlift PR, and playing Principal Piccolo with Tacoma Concert Band
Family is at the center of everything for me. My husband, Bjorn, is a Journeyman Union Commercial Plumber these days, but he previously put his Master of Public Health degree to use in drug and alcohol prevention across the Midwest. We share our humble abode with our delightful 3-year-old daughter Camina, one big goober of a dog named Ruby, and one salty grey cat named Calcifer. We love spending time outdoors, visiting local libraries and parks, and baking and cooking—including Bjorn’s “best biscuits this side of the Mississippi.”
What’s something you’ve learned in your career that you carry with you today?
My meandering tapestry of a career path has taught me the value of creative thinking and exploring new interests in service of my community.
My background in music, performance, and horticulture may seem unconventional for this role, but I’ve found that being curious and open to new experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities. I have also learned to really enjoy building relationships. Not just relationships in an outreach capacity, but with colleagues and mentors within my workspace. It’s great to do good work, but it’s even better to do good work with good people.
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Apply for Candidacy in the 2026 WSSDA and State Board of Education Elections
The candidate filing window for Washington State School Directors’ Association and the State Board of Education elections will be open September 1–16, 2026.
Open positions include WSSDA’s Legislative, Nominating, Resolutions, and Interscholastic Activities Committees, as well as the State Board of Education’s Eastern Region Seat 2.
Please note that per state law, no person employed in any public or private school, college, university, or other educational institution or any educational service district superintendent's office or in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is eligible to be elected to the Board.
Additionally, no member of a board of directors of a local school district or private school may continue to serve in that capacity after being elected to the State Board.
AWSL/AWSP 2026 Culture Kickoff Award Nominations Open
This award recognizes schools that:
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Launch the year with engaging assemblies, themes, and fall kickoff events.
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Intentionally set the tone for belonging, community, and success.
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Sustain that positive culture throughout the year by fostering collaboration between students and adults.
Schools can be nominated by students, principals, assistant principals, superintendents, teachers, district office staff, or community members who recognize the school’s powerful culture kickoff for the year.
To be considered as a Culture Kick-Off winner, schools must have both an active AWSP and AWSL membership.
School Buses Are Back: Know When to Stop (OSPI)
Across the state, students are preparing to return to their classrooms for another year of learning. Meanwhile, school transportation teams are ensuring their buses are ready to safely transport students each day.
During a one-day survey, Washington school bus drivers documented 960 illegal passes. If that one-day count were repeated across Washington's 180-day school year, it would amount to more than 172,000 violations.
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