This document contains several opinions, interpretations, and thoughts on how to look at funding and the teacher strikes. It all basically says the same thing and gets to the same conclusion but different ways. I thought it might be useful to those who are struggling to decide how to approach funding and the teacher strikes. I authors are all, well respected PTA leaders around the state. Let us know if you have further questions, or need help deciding what they say.
** Here’s opinion #1 on this:
“Teacher Walk Out Days are a very hot topic right now. We do not know of the IEA’s plans re: any Issaquah School Walk Outs. Until that is something we need to contend with or not, we thought this is a good time to remind local PTA’s about the action and communication protocol for taking advocacy positions. Of course, as individual parents or citizens you can take whatever advocate position you like and use your personal communication however you like. Yet, PTAs and PTA representatives have certain protocols to follow.
What is the issue we want to position? Look to source of issue for this info.
Do your standing rules say anything about actions when taking a position?
What is the Washington State PTA position on this? Contact President, VP or Secretary with your question
What is the Region/Council’s position on this? Contact your Region or Council President or VP
Does the Board want to take a position? Or take a position that is different than the above?
Yes, present the facts only on the issue taken directly from the source of the issue you are discussing; both pro & con sides; is there a motion? Have discussion on pro/con sides of taking a position; Call for vote; Board presents recommendation to General Membership for same process.
Do you want to skip Board vote and take this directly to General Membership?
Yes, present the facts only on the issue taken directly from the source of the issue you are discussing; present both pro & con sides; is there a motion? Have discussion on pro/con sides of taking a position; Call for vote;
If GM takes a neutral position, then you cannot use PTA communication channels or your PTA position to solicit support pro/con on the issue.
If GM takes a position, ONLY then CAN you use PTA communications and positons to solicit support pro/con on the issue as voted by the membership.
We are going to use a Teacher Walk Out vote as our example, but this could be followed for any position you PTA considers.
Issaquah Council PTA 2.6 Communication regarding IEA Walk Out Action
Issaquah Council PTA currently has no position on the IEA Walk Out action.
Current Washington State PTA Resolution 18.6 supports united efforts with educators during “uninterrupted operation of public schools”. (For full resolution text, see page 31 http://www.wastatePTA.org/advocacy/WSPTA_resolutions_board_positions_Feb_2015.pdf)
As PTA representatives you need to follow certain protocols in regard to using PTA communication channels and in taking a position.
Neutral Positions:
As a PTA, you can remain neutral and take no official action or position on the IEA’s decision. Therefore, you would not use any PTA communication sources to solicit support for or against.
As a PTA, you can simply state Washington State PTA supports uninterrupted operation of school when working with educators over the State fully funding education with the McCleary decision. Therefore, you would not use any PTA communication sources to solicit support for or against.
Taking a Position:
As a PTA, you can take the independent action of voting on a position, whether that position is neutral, for, or against.
If your local PTA decides to independently take a position, follow these steps…
As a local PTA Board, make sure you are meeting the notice requirements if this is a special meeting.
Present the facts of the issue (in this case get the vote info from the IEA directly). Important to present the pro & con of each side of the issue and of taking a position.
Is there a motion to take a positon?
Ask for and have a discussion?
Call for the vote?
Based on the vote results you can do the following:
If neutral, do not use PTA communication channels or your PTA position to comment on this issue;
If for supporting, or against, you can now take your for/against recommendation to your General Membership for the same steps. After your GM votes, you can then use your PTA communication channels and positon according to the for (or) against vote outcome.
As a General Membership,
Present the facts of the issue (in this case get the vote info from the IEA directly). Important to present the pro & con of each side of the issue and of taking a position.
Is there a motion to take a positon?
Ask for and have a discussion?
Call for the vote?
Based on the vote results you can do the following:
If neutral, do not use PTA communication channels or your PTA position to comment on this issue;
If Gm votes for supporting, or against, you can NOW use your PTA communication channels and position to solicit according to the for (or) against vote outcome.
Full text of Resolution on page 31 from the WSPTA link: http://www.wastatePTA.org/advocacy/WSPTA_resolutions_board_positions_Feb_2015.pdf
“UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS 18.6, Resolution passed 1986; revised 20066
Whereas, the Washington State PTA has a purpose “To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, spiritual education”, and
Whereas, Quality Education is a high priority issue for the Washington State PTA, and
Whereas, Washington State citizens have historically valued the reliable delivery of vital services and the orderly management of public institutions including fire and police services and public schools, and
Whereas, the Washington State PTA also holds that a disruption to the educational system in the form of work stoppages and strikes is detrimental to the best interests of the children and families affected by those actions, and
Whereas, the Washington State PTA believes that a disruption to the educational system in the form of work stoppages and/or strikes is often detrimental to the best interest of the children and families affected by those actions. While acknowledging that more state resources must be committed to the educational process in the State of Washington, including higher salaries for educational employees.
Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Washington State PTA shall work to produce conditions with regard to the collective bargaining process which will consistently produce, in a timely manner, labor agreements negotiated and fully embraced by the direct parties thereto and which will not cause disruption to the school calendar; and be it further
Resolved, that the Washington State PTA will not support work stoppages and/or strikes which interrupt or disrupt the educational day.”
Opinion #2 –
So our experience with this issue was that there was a lot of confusion at the local unit level about what they can and should do about communicating information about the strike and especially encouraging parent participation in it.
And that confusion caused frustration.
We found teacher union leadership either didn’t know or didn’t understand our policies regarding use of PTA communications to support issues – whether it’s a bond/levy, a ballot initiative, or, in this instance, the teacher strike
OF course, any teacher and any parent are free to support, oppose or stay neutral about the strike.
And of course, PTA communications can be used to support advocacy around McCleary and fully funding b/c that’s part of our platform
But before PTA communication channels can be used to support or encourage participation in the strike, these things need to happen in accordance w/ a local units bylaws/standing rules
1. Teacher Strike is presented to the board w/ pro/con (that would include option to support, oppose, stay neutral or support w/ conditions)
2. then presented to general membership w/ pro & con views (same as above)
That’s always been the case and the strike doesn’t change that.
Our experience was that our local unit presidents weren’t fully aware of how this works, and then they were confused when teacher union leaders to them that they should be able to use PTA communications and emails to convey messages of support for the strike. And that’s not the case – PTA communications are not accessible to teachers simply b/c there is a “T” in PTA (which was the reason we were given by the union president here in Lake Wash).
It’s very tricky b/c of course we support teachers and funding, but if a school wants to support a teacher strike then they need to follow the rules just like they would for any issue.
Opinion #3 – Example
Strike Information for Northshore PTA
The Northshore teachers’ union, Northshore Education Association (NSEA) voted earlier today to participate in a one day strike on Wednesday, May 6th. On the day of the strike, there will be no school and the last day of school has moved to Thursday, June 18th. Please refer to the district announcement regarding details about testing, fields trips, after school activities and athletics.
Washington State PTA resolution
Washington State PTA Resolution 18.6 states that the Washington State PTA “will not support work stoppages and/or strikes which interrupt or disrupt the educational day.” As a PTA representative, it is important to make clear when you are speaking on behalf of PTA versus as a parent so there is no confusion.
Communication in your Local Unit
PTA plays a pivotal role in informing our membership and beyond about the education, health and safety of all students. Here are a few things to think about when crafting your communication:
Your communications are going to Parent, Teachers, School Administration, and Students
Positive and respecting all parties positions you/PTA to be a trusted partner
Determine if your communications should directly state the LU’s voter approved position on the strike so there is no confusion
Provide contact information to legislators and ask them to contact them directly on the strikes and/or funding McCleary
To Take action or not?
Each Local Unit can vote to remain neutral, support or not support the strike. Refer to the standing rules for your local unit to determine how best to proceed in calling a special meeting; if needed, the notification period and how to take a position on an issue.
Local Resources
Northshore Council are here to support you. Please contact Council Legislative VP, Carrie McKenzie if you require clarification, assistance or unsure how to appropriately address a specific situation.
Opinion #4 –
This is just from my perspective. As a council, our mission is to support district kids and to provide guidance to our local PTAs. In this case, it is helping our local PTAs make informed, responsible decisions that help their community through a potentially divisive, emotional situation. To me that means giving them the information about the WSPTA resolution and making them aware of information from PTA and the law that clearly defines what a PTA should and shouldn’t do with regard to their official communication channels (here it is by the way)
34.3 USE OF MAILING LISTS
PTA is prohibited from using its mailing lists for any purpose other than PTA purposes. The lists may not be used for any commercial or political purpose – even by a member. **This is really the key right here. If you haven’t voted on it, then it isn’t a PTA purpose and it is definitely a political purpose.
On the other hand, I do think it is important to remind them of their own organization’s advocacy voice and to provide them the process by which if they wanted to, the PTA could vote to support the strike and consequently communicate that information on behalf of their PTA’s pro strike position. Also, reminding them that on an individual basis, what parents choose to do is up to them. They can relate information on their private social media platforms and emails, just not using the PTA mailing list.
I would suggest (and others can chime in on this if they disagree) that you let the president of your MIEA know what your situation is. That WSPTA has a resolution that doesn’t support strikes, that according to your policy, you can’t use your official communications to support the strike or advertise on behalf of another organization. That this official position in no way speaks to your continued support of the teachers in your district and to the MIEA as an organization.
That all being said, in answer to your question about telling parents to contact MIEA—you just have to decide how much information is helpful “relevant resource” verses what could be construed as implied endorsement of a political action. I believe in our missive we did let people know that they can contact the LWEA with questions. There will probably also be a page on your district website with information about it and you could refer families to that as well. I think that if you are very intentional with your approach, you should do what you think is best for MI Council and local PTAs and ultimately, for the kids in your district. (queue Star Spangled Banner)