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
