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Maya Vengadasalam
8 Years of Experience
Kent School District
WSSDA Leadership Development Consultant / Small Business Owner
Stepping into a school board role is an exciting, profound commitment to your community. As you navigate these early days, I want to share a few reflections from my own journey to help support your vital work. My journey to board service began at home. Raising my son and volunteering for over a decade in our Kent schools showed me the impact of engaged community leadership. I wanted to ensure our kids could reach their full potential and that educators had the resources to meet their objectives. That drive led me to serve eight years on the school board, focusing on financial recovery, community partnerships, and student-centered education. Today, I serve as a Leadership Development Consultant with WSSDA, training elected officials on their financial and legal responsibilities. Outside of WSSDA, I am relaunching my own business. Looking back, there are things I wish I had known on day one.
When considering what it takes to be a great board member, effectiveness begins with serving as a role model for students. This requires maintaining proper conduct and engaging in strictly results-oriented discussions. A significant part of this leadership is trusting our students. Listen to our young people; they know so much more than we often realize. Furthermore, true leadership requires courage at the dais. Unless a conflict of interest exists, do not miss the opportunity to build trust with your community when it’s time to cast your vote. Whether pro, con, or abstaining, it’s important to let the community know your position by clearly articulating your rationale. Your community will respect your transparency, even if they disagree with the vote’s outcome.
I also wish I had grasped the intricate finances of running a school district. Crucially, you hold a fiduciary responsibility to follow legal guidelines and ensure your district's financial success. This means taking time to deeply understand the budget you ultimately authorize. A business background doesn't make you an expert in public-school fund accounting; the state manual alone is over 600 pages! I strongly urge you to utilize the robust financial trainings offered at WSSDA workshops, to review the resources provided here, and to ask questions when you don’t understand something.
Finally, while understanding your district's history is vital, you cannot dwell on it. To move forward effectively, meet with central office leads and educators to understand their unique pain points. Rely on your fellow directors, lean into professional development, and trust that steady, strategic focus will move the needle for your schools.
Thank you for your dedication to public education. I look forward to supporting your growth.
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