Northshore School District’s board of directors was named the Large District Board of the Year by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) at the organization’s annual conference in Spokane last month.

The board also was recognized as a board of distinction.

The association specifically honored the Northshore board for its adoption of an equity policy, and the efforts to identify and remove barriers to equity in education. The organization cited the removal of a barrier, access to preschool for low-income families, which resulted in 97 additional spots in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program, a 62 percent increase.

In addition, WSSDA said the district extended the highly capable assessment to all students in grades K-8, which led to a rise in assessment rates in groups such as English Language Learners, low-income students and students who are eligible for special education services.

Northshore superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid said the award was a great honor for the board.

“We are so blessed and thankful to have such hard working and dedicated board members as part of the team supporting our students and community,” she said in a press release.