WSPTA held its 46th annual Legislative Assembly on October 26-27, 2024. It was an incredible weekend where members from across the state came together to learn, debate, and vote on the new legislative priorities WSPTA will focus on for the next two years. In addition to the issues the delegates ranked as the top five, two additional issues were added to the “also supported” list.
Some highlights of the assembly included a keynote panel featuring Senator Claire Wilson, Representative Carolyn Eslick and Representative Lisa Callan addressing the mental health crisis facing our students and their recommendations for the 2025 legislative session; a panel on school funding by Tim Merlino and Dan Steele (WASA), two long-time educators; Superintendents Jon Holmen, Kelly Aramaki, Chrys Sweeting, and Krestin Bahr on creating financial stability for our public schools; inspiration delivered by the 2024 WSPTA Outstanding Advocate award recipient Lizzy Sebring; and advocacy trainings in which delegates could:
- hear from Tumwater School Board Director Melissa Beard, Shoreline School Board Director Sara Betnel, and Northshore School Board Director Sandy Hayes on the best ways to engage and help affect change at the school and district levels;
- learn what local PTAs and councils can and should do to educate, empower, and elevate parent and student voices. Topics included taking positions on ballot measures (levies and bonds), engaging your school board, inviting legislators to PTA meetings and events, conducting candidate forums and hosting voter registration drives;
- learn what the next steps are for WSPTA legislative priorities by having a behind-the-scenes look at how a bill becomes a law in Washington state.
Delegates received education on all the proposed legislative issues and resolutions, and engaged in lively, impassioned, but civil discussion and debate. Most notable was the number of student advocates who participated as delegates. After adopting 7 new legislative issues, delegates ranked them. It was an inspiring display of democracy in action!
The new 2025-2026 WSPTA Legislative Platform
Top 5 Legislative Priorities
- Closing the Funding Gaps
- Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
- Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education
- Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
- Expanding School Construction Funding Options
Also Supported Legislative Priorities (listed alphabetically)
- Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
- Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change
Click here to view more details on the top five and also supported issues.
Resolutions Adopted
Delegates adopted three new resolutions and one amended resolution.
The new resolutions adopted:
- 18.48 Equitable Access to School Library Information and Technology Programs
- 18.49 Inclusive and Historically Accurate Standards, Curricula, and Practices
- 18.50 Ensuring Graduation with a Meaningful High School Diploma
Adopted amendments to resolution:
- 18.6 Uninterrupted Operation of Schools
Click here to learn more about the resolutions.
Thank you to the submitters, as well as the Advocacy and Resolutions committees for their hours of research, writing, and educating delegates about their submissions; all of the panelists and presenters; WSPTA staff for all their logistical planning and support; and the 100+ delegates who gave up precious family time to spend two days learning how to better carry out the mission of PTA to be a powerful voice and strong advocate for the well-being and education of every child.