Testimony by WSPTA Advocates
Monday, January 31, was a big day for testimony on Washington State PTA’s legislative priorities, spanning topics of enrollment stabilization, increasing school staffing, and funding school seismic safety upgrades. Listen here as WSPTA parent advocates spoke in favor of these bills: Natalya Yudkovsky on SB 5563, stabilizing funding due to enrollment decline (listen here); Heidi…
Changes to WSPTA Uniform Bylaws
The WSPTA Uniform Bylaws is a contract between our members and WSPTA and local PTAs for how our associations are run. Our members have the authority to change the WSPTA Uniform Bylaws at the annual meeting that takes place during the WSPTA Convention. Since it is important that the WSPTA Uniform Bylaws do not conflict…
Category:
Governance
2022 Focus on Advocacy – January 31 Report
Whose bills are on the chopping block? Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org During 60-day sessions, deadlines to move legislation out of policy and fiscal committees are compressed. February 3 represents the day bills need to pass out of policy committees to remain under consideration this session. While there are always exceptions, some…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Tip of the Week – January 27
Membership Awards – Don’t Miss Out There are two types of membership awards – membership growth awards and membership achievement awards. Membership growth awards are automatically calculated and awarded to PTAs that reach the required criteria levels for bronze, silver, gold or platinum recognition. Your PTA has already done the important work of gaining the…
Category:
Leadership
Building for the Future: Greener Buildings Secure Communities and Climate
Have you ever had an older car and finally purchased a new car and been amazed at the difference in safety and comfort in the new car? Much the same can be said for the improvements in energy technology in the last ten years now available for school building upgrades and new schools. National PTA…
Category:
Advocacy
2022 Focus on Advocacy – January 24 Report
Senate and House advance improved school staffing bills Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Student mental health and the lack of school nurses and other professionals focused on student social and emotional health has been the topic of work sessions, public hearings, and executive action during the first two weeks of this 60-day…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Tip of the Week – January 20
Who Can Be A Member? PTA membership is not limited to parents and teachers at your school. Any person choosing to support students is eligible for PTA membership. This may include grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, local business owners, school board members, and other community members. Membership is a terrific way to show support of…
Category:
Leadership
WSPTA testifies in favor of safe storage of firearms and medications
Safe storage of firearms and medications is the topic of HB 1759. Dr. Gwen Loosmore testified in favor of the bill and encouraged the Legislature to adopt the measure that will help districts share information with students and families through websites and social media on this important topic.
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Speaks in Favor of HB 1699
Former WSPTA President Michelle Nims kicked off a panel of speakers in favor of HB 1699 in the House Appropriations Committee January 20. The bill is designed as a short-term approach to helping address the serious workforce shortages facing our schools.
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Call to Action – Focus on Safety
Dear Washington State PTA Member, Students and families deserve to be safe and healthy in their school, homes, and communities, with a livable future for our children. But unfortunately, what we are seeing in our state is concerning: Firearms are the second leading cause of death in children and 4.6 million children live in a…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative