News Release: Oak Harbor Public Schools Earns Board of the Year for Medium Size District from Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA)

Media Contact: Sarah Foy, Communications Officer, Oak Harbor Public Schools, 360-279-5045 News Release: Oak Harbor Public Schools Earns Board of the Year for Medium Size District from Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) The Oak Harbor Public Schools Board of Directors received the prestigious 2025 Board of the Year award in the medium-district category from the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), recognizing the district’s sustained, student-focused governance and the successful adoption of a comprehensive strategic plan. The honor places Oak Harbor Public Schools at the top of a record cohort of 49 Boards of Distinction across Washington. “Earning Board of the Year is not a recognition given lightly. It honors a board’s unwavering commitment to creating the conditions for students to thrive. Our board embraced the strategic plan not as a document, but as a promise to our students,” said Dr. Michelle Kuss-Cybula, Superintendent of Oak Harbor Public Schools. “I am deeply honored to work alongside such a dedicated and student-centered board, truly deserving of this achievement. Their leadership sets a clear direction grounded in student voice and academic excellence, and this recognition reflects their steadfast commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.” Each year, WSSDA’s Boards of Distinction awards highlight school boards that demonstrate clear alignment with the Washington School Board Standards and can show evidence of improved student outcomes tied directly to board action. This year’s applicants stood out for their strategic planning, legislative advocacy, and use of disaggregated student data to guide focused improvement efforts. Each school board member shared what the award means to them: “I am deeply honored that the Oak Harbor School Board was selected as the Medium-sized Board of the Year. This award truly reflects the daily work happening in our classrooms to ensure that our students reach their fullest potential. I am so proud of our students, staff, families, and our community - together we have achieved this recognition!” - Lynn Goebel, School Board President “We are very humbled by the award and the incredible work it represents from our teachers and staff. Our students are going to benefit from the work our educators have put in for many years to come. The work continues, but we are happy our community has been recognized for its planning and execution.” - Josh MacLean, School Board Vice President “This recognition highlights the power of collective governance and community engagement. Our board’s work has always been about creating equitable opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging for every student, and we are thrilled to see those efforts acknowledged. It reflects not only the dedication of our board members but also the incredible commitment of our staff, the support of families, and the voices of our students, who inspire us every day to do better and reach higher.” - Nicole Tesch, School Board Director and Legislative Representative “Winning the award means our collective work, especially the adoption of our Strategic Plan in 2024, has been recognized as exceptional and important. It affirms the steps we’re taking to align our practices and achieve better outcomes for our students and staff.” - Sharon Jensen, School Board Director and WIAA Representative "Looking back on how far both the board and the district has come in the eight years I've served as a board director, I'm so proud of all we've achieved. It hasn't been easy, but we are now unified around a dynamic strategic plan, and we've elevated student voice to be central to everything we do." - Jessica Aws, School Board Director WSSDA formally recognized Oak Harbor Public Schools at its Annual Conference last week where they officially announced the Board of the Year Winners from each district-size category with an unveiling of a video showcasing our schools and programs.