Category Archives: Advocacy

Prioritizing Advocacy and Legislative Goals at WSPTA Legislative Assembly

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Written by Advocacy Committee Members- April Keim (Advocacy Chair Liberty HS) and Nigar Suleman (Delegate for Beaver Lake Middle School)

Legislative Assembly is an event organized by the Washington State PTA annually and invites participation from statewide PTA members. Members register as voting delegates, and this allows them to debate, discuss and vote on new/existing legislative principles and resolutions. This year’s 46th annual Legislative Assembly was held on October 26th and 27th at Seattle Pacific University and was widely attended by delegates and audience members from all over WA State. The legislative platform voted on by delegates during the Legislative Assembly allows WSPTA to do the critical work to advocate for all children and youth in Washington State for the next two years.

Delegates from PTSAs around the state discussed, debated, and voted on new issues and resolutions, including the adoption of WSPTA’s 2024-2026 Legislative Platform and Top Five Issues.  Much of the discussion focused on legislative priorities, education funding concerns, community engagement, and next steps for advocacy.  Our own Issaquah PTSA Council and Advocacy Reps were in attendance to support the discussion and weigh in on the priorities. We had representatives from Liberty HS (April Keim), Maple Hills Elementary (Heather Stiles), Beaver Lake Middle School (Nigar Suleman), Briarwood Elementary (Megan Raak) and Apollo Elementary (Shelby Scovel) in attendance. 

Our Issaquah PTSA Council Advocacy Chairs, Shannon Mayo and Lauren Bartholomew addressed delegates and spoke on gun violence prevention and increasing educational equity by closing the digital divide, respectively. To provide education and information on the issues being considered during the Legislative Assembly, WSPTA organized presentations and information sessions on the issues being considered. This gave delegates an opportunity to join and caucus during individual sessions in breakout rooms and gain more insights about the context and importance of the issues on the legislative platform. 

Part of the experience at the legislative assembly was to learn more about the priorities from experts around the state. We welcomed special guests Representative Lisa Callan, Representative Carolyn Eslick, and Senator Claire Wilson.  They discussed the comprehensive and critical efforts undertaken by the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group (CYBHWG) and to report on their efforts to address the mental health crisis. Tim Merlino, Superintendent from Vancouver, and Dan Steele did a fantastic and insightful presentation on school funding. They unpacked the complicated system of funding education. A Superintendent panel from around the state discussed aspects of running their school districts and the look ahead to imminent decisions they will make this fall on budget shortfalls. Marie Sullivan, our WSPTA lobbyist, assisted with education to the delegates and answered questions on how we can best advocate on behalf of our schools and education.

There was considerable discussion on Student Mental Health: Emphasis was on improving access to mental health counselors for children and youth, aiming for a sustainable pipeline over the next 5-6 years.

Funding Issues: Urgent needs to close funding gaps in education, particularly in special education and mental health services. Washington ranks low in addressing depression and suicidality.

Community Engagement: Encouragement for PTA to contact representatives prior to legislative session, and a call for more volunteers to support mental health initiatives.

Gun Violence and Suicide Prevention: Strategies to reduce gun violence and suicides are being discussed, including requiring permits for firearm purchases.

Education Funding: Discussion on the importance of maintaining a sustainable funding model, addressing unfunded mandates, and ensuring educational resources are allocated effectively.

The following was voted in the Top Five Legislative Priorities for 2024-2026:

First – Closing the Funding Gaps 

Second – Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis

Third – Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Ed 

Fourth – Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide

Fifth – Expanding School Construction Funding Options

Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change and Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide were also voted on as legislative priorities, but they did not get voted in as a Top 5 Priority.

Call to Action: Voter engagement is crucial, with calls to meet legislators and share stories that highlight the importance of these issues.  Please reach out to your PTSA President or Advocacy Chair to discuss any personal stories related to the Top 5 Legislative Priorities.

Websites for More Information:

Washington State PTSA Advocacy and specifically https://www.wastatepta.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2025-2026-WSPTA-Legislative-Priorities.pdf 

Issues at the Core of Washington State’s School Funding Dilemma www.waschoolfunding.org

Developing a strategic plan for prenatal through age 25 behavioral health https://www.washingtonthriving.org/

Information for securing guns and saving kids’ lives  https://besmartforkids.org/

Advocacy for Mental Health Nexus: Mental Health Hub for Schools www.nexusforschools.com

https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/programs-and-initiatives/behavioral-health-and-recovery/children-and-youth-behavioral-health-work-group-cybhwg#subgroup

Why PTA? Your membership and voice matter

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In this year’s Washington State Legislative session MANY of the PTA supported (through advocacy) bills PASSED. Notably the bill restricting high impact weapon magazines. For a list of bill PTA supported and their status, please click below on the focus on advocacy newsletter as well as the Bill Status Update.

https://www.wastatepta.org/2022-focus-on-advocacy-march-7-report/ https://www.wastatepta.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/WSPTA-Bill-Status-Update-Week-9-3.7.22.pdf

PTSA Equity Presentation

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Leading with Equity 
This presentation will better help you sharpen your equity lens and develop a deeper understanding on inequities students and families may face. We will define some equity terms used by the district and review some key training components. There is much work to be done. The district is looking for partners. Come join the conversation in supporting our students with equitable outcomes.  

Thursday, May 20th, 2021
9:30-11:30am

Questions? Contact our Issaquah PTSA Council Family and Community Engagement Coordinator, Alicia Spinner: face@issaquahptsa.org

Advocacy Updates – Advocacy and Public Policy Briefing

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Advocacy and Public Policy Briefing

Prepared by Susan D. Baird-Joshi, Region 2 Legislative Chair, Washington State PTA * July 29, 2017

1. Ballots Due August 1, 2017

Mail your Washington State ballots or drop them off by Tuesday, August 1, 2017, 8 p.m. Issues in this summer ballot

include taxes and preliminary votes for elected officials:

• King County Proposition 1 Sales Tax for Cultural Access Program

• Elected positions with more than two candidates (school district boards, city councils, port commissioners, and

county executive)

The ballot mailer includes a list of drop-off locations in King County. For more election information, visit the King

County Elections home page, http://kingcounty.gov/depts/elections.aspx. For news and reminders, visit the KC Elections

Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/kcelections/ .

WA State PTA has not taken a position on Prop. 1. PTAs cannot endorse candidates.

2. Washington State Legislative Session Includes Benefits for Children and Families

Extending into multiple special sessions during the summer, the Washington State Legislature and Governor approved a

budget that includes funding provisions to address the McCleary decision, requiring the state to “amply fund” K-12 basic

education. The bill included $7.3 billion in new funding for K-12 education to satisfy McCleary.

Other actions that could benefit children and families include the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Program,

increased funding for the State Need Grant and a new Department of Children, Youth and Families.

The House proposed a Capital Budget with construction projects throughout the state totaling $4.17 billion, including new

schools. However, the Legislature adjourned before passing the legislation. The Senate Republicans wanted a long-term

solution to the State Supreme Court’s decision affecting property owners’ water rights and abilities to drill wells, known

as the Hirst decision. For more information, see the Governor’s session round-up. https://medium.com/wagovernor/2017-legislative-session-produces-major-achievements-for-washington-74d6d557e3b4

3. Affordable Care Act Proposed Changes Would Have Impacted Washington’s Children

On June 28 Washington State’s Governor Jay Inslee and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler sent a joint letter to

Washington State’s Congressional delegation—two senators and 10 representatives—urging them to vote no on the

Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). The act did not pass. More children would have lost coverage due to

their parents’ loss of coverage. The governor’s web site has the letter and facts about health insurance in Washington.

http://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/Inslee-Kreidler%20ltr%20to%20Delegation%20re%20BCRA.pdf

Region 2 covers eastern King County and consists of the Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Riverview, and Snoqualmie Valley school districts. https://www.wastatepta.org/pta-leaders/pta-regions/region-2/

Advocacy News for March 8th. SB 5023 & SB 5070

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Two major events happened in the legislature on March 8th! 

  1. SB 5023 was brought to the floor of the Senate (this is the Senate version of the bill that would delay the levy cliff, and companion bill to HB 1059). The Senate voted and passed the bill! It will be sent to the House for consideration tomorrow
  2. The Senate passed a Para-educator Bill! This bill (SB 5070) will require standards for para-educators, professional development, a career ladder, a more accessible path to teacher certification, and training for teachers who supervise para-educators. This aligns with one of the Top 5 priorities on this year’s WSPTA legislative platform.

March Action Items for Presidents and Legislative/Advocacy Reps.

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Hello Council Members!

Below are 3 action items for this month. Email addresses for your local legislators are listed at the bottom of this email. So many of you have already sent in emails and blue postcards. Please keep them coming! Thank you all so much for all you do!

1. Contact your Senator re: bringing House Bill 1059 (Levy Cliff Extension Bill) to a vote. 
The House passed the levy cliff delay bill nearly a month ago and the Senate has rejected two attempts to bring it to the floor for a vote. This is top priority for Issaquah!
Sample subject line: Urgent – Please Pass the Levy Cliff Extension bill HB 1059
Sample email: I urge you to support HB 1059. Students are counting on you to keep teachers in classrooms next year. Our schools are trying to devise an operating budget for next year before April 1st. They are faced with the stress of uncertainty, and the possibility of having to RIF teachers. Levy dollars are voter approved. We cannot afford to lose teachers or funding in our schools. Thank you for taking care of our students and voting to pass HB 1059. (Please give your name and address in the body of the email.)
 
2. Ask your Representatives to identify new progressive revenue sources to amply fund public education.
The House passed the Democrats’ Education Plan (HB 1843), but they have not yet announced how the state would pay for it.
3. Attend the Education Funding Forum for the 5th and 41st Legislative Districts! 
Join local legislators in a conversation about education funding.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
1:00-3:00pm
Tyee Middle School in Bellevue
Contacts:
5th Leg. District
Sen. Mark Mullet – Mark.Mullet@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Paul Graves – PaulGraves@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Jay Rodne – JayRodne@leg.wa.gov
41st Leg. District
Sen. Lisa Wellman – Lisa.Wellman@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Judy Clibborn – JudyClibborn@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Tana Senn – Tana.Senn@leg.wa.gov
Thank you again for your dedication! 😊
 
Portions of this email are from the Washington’s Paramount Duty website. 

How to Receive Advocacy Updates

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You can sign up to receive email updates, newsletters or blog posts in your email for each of these organizations:

Washington State Legislature http://leg.wa.gov/
Washington State PTA Advocacy page http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/index.html
Washington State PTA – Advocacy Blog http://wsptagrassroots.blogspot.com/
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction http://www.k12.wa.us/
Network in Excellence for Washington Schools http://waschoolexcellence.org/
Washington’s Paramount Duty http://paramountduty.org/
Washington’s Paramount Duty – Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/ParamountDuty/
League of Education Voters http://educationvoters.org/
Washington Association of School Administrators (Legislative Updates page) http://wasa-oly.org/WASA/wasa/4_0_Government_Relations/This_Week_in_Olympia_-_TWIO/TWIO.aspx
Washington State School Directors’ Association (legislative updates page) http://www.wssda.org/Legislative/LegislativeUpdates.aspx

 

Comments Needed for HB 1059: Delaying implementation of revisions to the school levy lid

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This bill is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means tomorrow, Monday, January 30th,  at 3:30 PM. Please send your comments now to be of the most benefit. 
Use this link to send your comments: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill//1059

For more information including current status and available documents: http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1059&Year=2017

Levy Cliff – urgent!

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Please read and CALL LEGISLATORS listed at the bottom of this email before 10AM tomorrow (Friday) morning!! We NEED the Senate to vote YES on House Bill 1059 to delay the levy cliff!

Issaquah schools stand to lose $7 million in funding next year if this bill does not pass!

Dear WPD Advocate,

We have an urgent opportunity to avoid teacher layoffs and program cuts that would undermine our children’s education — and we need you to make calls right now.

The State Senate will likely be voting on Friday morning at 10AM on an important procedural motion that, if adopted, would allow a vote on the bill to delay the levy cliff soon afterward. We need to flood Senate offices with calls urging them to bring this bill, HB 1059, to the floor and then to vote yes on it.

Need to find your Senator or their phone number? Click here and urge your Senator to immediately pass the bill to delay the levy cliff!

If you need a script: “Hello, I am your constituent from [name your city or town]. I need you to vote to bring HB 1059 to the floor and vote for the bill. We must delay the levy cliff so that teachers don’t get fired and students don’t lose important classes and programs they need to succeed. I know you have the power to save our schools from financial peril and I need you to lead on this.”

The bill to delay the levy cliff is an important part of fully funding our public schools. If this bill doesn’t pass, districts across the state will have to fire teachers and slash important programs for students. This is because school districts would lose part of their funds on January 1, 2018 — but the legislature does not have to deliver full funding for schools under the McCleary decision until September 1, 2018.

The levy cliff represents a big step backward in the state’s compliance with the constitution and the courts. Delaying the levy cliff for one more year allows our teachers to teach and our students to learn while the legislature finally passes the new revenue needed to fully fund public schools, as well as reducing districts’ reliance on levies to pay for basic education.

Call your Senator right now and urge them to immediately pass the bill to delay the levy cliff! Click here if you need to find your Senator or their phone number.

Below are some of the Senators who most urgently need to hear from the public. If even just one of them votes yes, the bill can pass and our schools will be saved from the levy cliff. If you or anyone you know lives in any of these legislative districts/areas, please ask them to call their Senator right now!

Hans Zeiger
25th LD: includes Puyallup, Fife
360 786-7648
hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov

John Braun
20th LD: includes Chehalis, Centralia, Castle Rock
360 786-7638
john.braun@leg.wa.gov

Joe Fain
47th LD: includes Auburn, Kent, Renton, Covington, Federal Way
360 786-7692
joe.fain@leg.wa.gov

Ann Rivers
18th LD: includes Vancouver, Ridgefield, Camas, Battle Ground, Washougal, La Center, Hockinson
360 786-7634
ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov

Mark Miloscia
30th LD: includes Algona, Auburn, Des Moines, Federal Way, Milton, Pacific
360 786-7658
mark.miloscia@leg.wa.gov

Jan Angel
26th LD: includes Bremerton, Port Orchard, Gig Harbor, Lakebay, Purdy
360 786-7650
jan.angel@leg.wa.gov

Dino Rossi
45th LD: includes Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Woodinville, Duvall
360 786-7672
dino.rossi@leg.wa.gov

Maureen Walsh
16th LD: includes Walla Walla, Prosser, Horse Heaven
360 786-7630
maureen.walsh@leg.wa.gov

Mark Schoesler
9th LD: includes Ritzville, Pullman, Colfax, St. John, Asotin
360 786-7620
mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov

Phil Fortunato
31st LD: includes Enumclaw, Buckley, Bonney Lake, Auburn, Sumner, Edgewood, South Prairie, Wilkeson and Carbonado
360 786-7660
phil.fortunato@leg.wa.gov

Brad Hawkins
12th LD: includes Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Twisp, Winthrop, Leavenworth
360 786-7622
brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov

Randi Becker
2nd LD: includes Eatonville, Yelm, Orting, Graham, Roy, Rainier
360 786-7602 305
randi.becker@leg.wa.gov

Lynda Wilson
17th LD: includes Brush Prairie, Orchards, Cascade Park East (Clark County)
360 786-7632
lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov

Curtis King
14th LD: includes Stevenson, White Salmon, Naches, Goldendale, Tieton, Roosevelt
360 786-7626
curtis.king@leg.wa.gov

Barbara Bailey
10th LD: includes Stanwood, Camamo Island, Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, La Connor
360 786-7618
barbara.bailey@leg.wa.gov

Thank you for taking a minute to call and contacting your friend, colleague, or relative out in these critical districts.

Your fellow advocate,
Tali

Tali Rausch
Board President
Washington’s Paramount Duty

OSPI: New ESSA Resources Available in Top 8 Languages.

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From OSPI: New ESSA Resources Available in Top 8 Languages.
http://www.k12.wa.us/ESEA/ESSA/Resources.aspx

OSPI has translated five of our Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) flyers into the Top 8 languages spoken by Washington’s students. Those flyers address some of the biggest pieces of ESSA, including Title I: Federal Programs, Title II: Teacher & Principal Quality, Title III: English Learners, as well as Equity and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. These flyers were created to help readers understand the new federal education law—without first taking a course in legalese. They have been translated into Arabic, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. English-language flyers are available on the ESSA resource page.