Gwen Loosmore spoke in strong support of HB 1139,  taking action to address lead in drinking water, in the House Education Committee on January 26. The bill is scheduled for a vote in the House Education Committee and likely will move to the House Appropriations Committee for further debate.

President Janice Kutzera weighed in Tuesday, February 9, in support of HB 1476, a bill to stabilize K-12 funding gaps due to enrollment decline in the majority of the state’s school districts. Listen here to President Kutzera. In addition, here is the short House Appropriations staff briefing on the bill.

Given only one minute to testify, WSPTA member Brian Duncan asked House Education Committee members to carefully consider HB 1396, which would limit student choice regarding social studies courses. Written testimony was also submitted. Hear Brian’s remarks here. Parent members who had signed in to speak on HB 1404 (highly capable students) and HB 1444…

The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard SB 5386 and SJR 8204, a policy bill and constitutional amendment request that would lower the threshold to pass bond measures to 55 percent. Michelle Nims, former WSPTA president, testified in support of a simple majority for bonds, sharing a personal story on the Everett School…

Washington State PTA continues to testify in favor of solutions that bridge the digital divide and lead to improved and equitable access to broadband infrastructure. Hear Nancy Chamberlain testify on HB 1460 in the House Finance Committee. Legislators have several competing ideas on broadband solutions; WSPTA will continue to monitor and speak out for students…

HB 1302 would allow 9th graders to earn college credit for taking a College in the High School course. Currently, 9th graders may take the course but aren’t eligible to earn college credit. This bill would change this. After reviewing, WSPTA decided to ask for two amendments to strengthen the bill regarding notification, clear guidance…

Sharing WSPTA’s digital equity position adopted last October at the Legislative Assembly, Nancy Chamberlain addressed the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee February 3 on SB 5383, a bill that would authorize public utilities and ports with retail sales for broadband, but only after a private company does not object to the expansion project. Chamberlain…

The pandemic exposed what many parents and students already knew – that digital equity was not universal across our state and school districts. Speaking in favor of HB 1450, Northshore parent Nancy Chamberlain asked House Education Committee members to think of computers and digital devices like books – they are today’s basic education, said Chamberlain.…