What began as a normal practice of self-evaluation may turn into a statewide award for the South Whidbey School Board.

The board is in the running for a Board of the Year Award in the small size school district (Under 5,000 students) category. On Nov. 16, the board of directors — Linda Racicot, Damian Greene, Shawn Nowlin, Rocco Gianni and Julie Hadden — and Superintendent Jo Moccia will travel to Spokane for a three-day Washington State School Directors’ Association conference, where winners of each category will be announced. The award demonstrates alignment with Washington School Board standards and focuses on three benchmarks, including a district plan focused on the needs of students and providing professional development for quality personnel, according to its website.

Racicot said the directors have used the application process in the past as a mirror to reflect whether or not they are on course with “rigorous” guidelines set by the state. She and the board felt their contributions throughout the year, such as new procedures and protocols; its “judicious” financial expenditures; facility usage; and further development of programs such as the South Whidbey School District Garden Program, were perhaps enough to stand out.

They were right. South Whidbey was the recipient of a Board of Distinction Award, an award that acknowledges evidence of directors applying the Washington School Board Standards. Now the bigger prize awaits.

If the board wins, it will be the second time in a decade. The board was one of three to win “Board of the Year” in 2007.