The Kent School Board has been named one of the best in the state by the Washington State School Directors’ Association.

The Board of the Year award, given annually to one small, medium and large district in the state, recognizes boards that demonstrate outstanding efforts and accomplishments in promoting student achievement, according to the association. The Kent board won the large-district honors.

Board member Bill Boyce said he and his fellow board members share the recognition with the Kent School District, which implements the policies they set.

The award “really represents the whole school district,” he said.

Earlier this year, the board submitted to the association (WSSDA) a 2,000-word essay describing its role in improving student achievement. Phil Gore, director of leadership development services for WSSDA, an advocacy organization for school boards and education, said the judges were impressed with the district’s strategic use of technology, such as the technology academies and the one-to-one laptop program, as well as the continued focus on teaching and learning. Gore said WSSDA also was impressed with the board members’ continuing focus on their own continued development.

“They have had a focus on systems-learning that led them to participate in their own development,” Gore said, calling the board an “exemplary leader among their peers.”

WSSDA cited the board’s emphasis on “strategic planning, data-based decisionmaking, community engagement and an expectation that the educational needs of all students will be met.” Examples included Kent Phoenix Academy, a summer WASL-prep program, the creation of the Refugee Transition Center and professional development for district staff members.

Gore said WSSDA also noted the board members are active and involved, making classroom visits and taking reports from school principals — all without micromanaging the administration.

Gore said that while some school boards do some of the same things, “Kent just does it all.”

Boyce, who as board president presides over its meetings and serves as a spokesman, said the board works hard to establish relationships with all parties, from the administration to the teachers, and said each member helps make a “strong team.”

He said the current board – which also includes Chris Davies, Jim Berrios, Debbie Straus and Sandy Collins – “is probably the best” during his 15 years as a member.

WSSDA, which has headquarters in Olympia, represents the 1,447 members of school boards of the 295 school districts statewide. The organization is an advocate for public schools, monitors education issues and government actions involving education, and promotes effective governance by boards.