November 9, 2026

School District of Washington Hosts Inaugural Religious Leaders Breakfast

The School District of Washington hosted its inaugural Religious Leaders Breakfast on Friday morning, November 6, at the district's Technology and Learning Center, bringing together local pastors, ministers, priests, and other faith leaders to strengthen relationships and establish connections for potential future collaboration.

The gathering provided an opportunity for Superintendent Dr. Cassandra Suggs and district administrators to meet with religious leaders throughout the community, learn more about one another, and begin building relationships that could lead to future partnerships.

The event focused primarily on introductions and open dialogue, allowing both district representatives and religious leaders to share information about their respective organizations, discuss their roles in the community, and become better acquainted.

The gathering was designed to strengthen relationships between the school district and local faith communities, recognizing the important roles both play in supporting students and families.

Serving as the Master of Ceremonies was SDOW Superintendent Dr. Cassandra Suggs. Giving presentations were SDOW Social Worker Lindsey Jasper and SDOW Business Connection Coordinator Katelyn Huber. Also speaking from the SDOW were Board of Education President Dr. Frank Wood, Assistant Superintendents John McColloch, Dr. Rachael Franssen and Maranda Anderson, and Communications Director Craig Vonder Haar.

An important aspect of the gathering was its emphasis on community partnerships rather than religious services or worship activities. The purpose was to bring together leaders from different organizations in a welcoming environment to build relationships, encourage communication, and explore ways they might work together for the benefit of students and families.

Rather than focusing on specific projects or initiatives, the inaugural event served as a starting point for establishing connections and opening lines of communication that could lead to future opportunities for collaboration.

Photos from the event are below.

A speaker in an orange suit stands before a panel seated at a table in a brightly lit conference room.

A speaker addresses attendees seated at tables in a brightly lit conference room decorated with flags.

A speaker addresses attendees seated at a U-shaped arrangement of black tables in a bright conference room.

A group of people seated around U-shaped conference tables in a large, well-lit meeting room.

A person presents to a large group seated at tables arranged in a U-shape in a brightly lit conference room.

A speaker addresses a large group of people seated around a U-shaped table in a bright conference room.

A speaker stands at a podium in a presentation room next to a large digital screen that displays "WELCOME Religious Leader Breakfast".

A woman gives a presentation in front of a large screen titled "Fighting Hunger, Fueling Minds."

A woman in a blue dress and white jacket stands beside a table in front of an American flag.

A speaker in an orange suit gestures while holding notes in a room with an American flag and a presentation screen displaying "Thank YOU".

A speaker stands before a large audience gathered in a conference room with U-shaped tables.