The Peninsula School District Board of Directors has once again been recognized for excellence in governance, earning the 2025 Board of Distinction award from the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA). This marks the fifth consecutive year our school board has achieved this prestigious recognition.

Peninsula School District has demonstrated consistent leadership excellence:

• 2025 Board of Distinction 
• 2024 Board of Distinction 
• 2023 Board of Distinction 
• 2022 Board of Distinction 
• 2021 Board of Distinction

WSSDA specifically commended the board's sustained, data-driven literacy initiative. The selection panel praised the board for:

• Using a three-year strategic planning process with community input to identify achievement
• gaps
• Investing $1.5 million to adopt the Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum
• Mandating comprehensive staff training
• Embedding measurable literacy goals into the district's strategic plan
• Engaging in community and statewide partnerships

"We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition for the fifth year in a row," said Superintendent Krestin Bahr. "This award reflects our board's unwavering commitment to student success and their collaborative approach to governance.”

Peninsula was selected as one of only 15 medium-sized district school boards recognized statewide and one of 30 total school boards to earn this distinction out of Washington's 295 school districts.

The Board of Distinction program is an evidence-based recognition where applicants are screened based on rigorous criteria. To receive recognition, boards must demonstrate how they have fostered successful student outcomes in their district by aligning their efforts with the Washington School Board Standards. School boards must show clear evidence of:

• Identifying opportunity gaps
• Taking specific actions to address these gaps
• Demonstrating measurable improvement in student outcomes
• Maintaining focus on continuous improvement

This recognition reflects the dedication of our Board of Directors to:

• Put students first in all decisions
• Engage with community stakeholders
• Use data to drive improvement
• Work collaboratively as a cohesive team
• Maintain high expectations for student learning

We are grateful for the leadership and service of our Board of Directors and their continued commitment to excellence in education for all Peninsula School District students