WSPTA Testifies: Closing the Funding Gaps
Advocacy in Action! On Monday, February 3, WSPTA President Angela Steck testified in favor of HB 1338, a bill that would close the gaps between what the state funds and what it costs to operate schools across the state. Angela asked House Appropriations Committee members to pass the bill and pointed out that PTAs have…
Week Four: Big 3 Bills Continue to Advance
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Click here to see the week four bill tracker. Last week the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee advanced three bills related to special education funding, Materials, Supplies & Operating Costs (MSOC), and student transportation. SB 5187 would direct OSPI to update the student transportation funding formula (report due June 1,…
WSPTA Testifies: Establishing a Statewide Network for Student Mental and Behavioral Health
Advocacy in Action! Dr. Gwen Loosmore, long-time WSPTA Advocacy Committee member, testified in favor of SB 5126, establishing a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health at the January 29th Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committee meeting. With student mental health at the top of WSPTA’s priorities again this year, Gwen welcomed the…
Big 3 bills heard in Senate Ed, Special Education bills to be heard this week
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org You can access the Week 3 Bill Tracker here. The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard testimony on four bills related to what is being informally called “The Big 3.” These bills seek to close the funding gaps that have widened in three specific basic education and constitutionally protected areas:…
Pomp, Ceremonies, Committees and an Inaugural Ball Kick off 105-day Session
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Newly elected state House of Representative members and Senators were sworn in at opening ceremonies in the House and Senate on January 13, the first day of this long session. On Tuesday, former Governor Jay Inslee, who had served three terms (12 years), addressed a joint session of the House and Senate…
WSPTA Testifies: Parental Rights and Public Education
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck shared comments on Initiative 2081, concerning parental rights relating to public school education, at the joint meeting of the House Education and Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committees on Wednesday, February 28. Angela noted that WSPTA had a long history of supporting the health, safety, and welfare…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Save the School Construction Assistance Program
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA Advocacy member Susan Baird-Joshi thanked House Capital Budget members for the $55 million investment for indoor air quality, the continued support for the Small District Modernization and Tribal Compact grant program, and the incremental increases to activities that support urgent and emergency repair. Watch Susan here Sharing the WSPTA’s disappointment with…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Dual and Tribal Language Education
Advocacy in Action! In a bill-packed day, WSPTA Advocacy member Danica Noble testified in favor of 3SHB 1228, building a multilingual, multiliterate Washington through dual and tribal language education. Danica shared her students’ experiences with a dual language program and encouraged the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee to pass the bill so that…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Urging Further Education Investments
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck testified during the Senate Ways & Means meeting on Monday, February 19 on the proposed 2024 supplemental operating budget, SSB 5950. While the Senate proposal supports a small increase in special education, additional transportation funding for McKinney Vento students, and an increase in ratios for paraeducators, Angela expressed…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Increased Allocation for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs
Advocacy in Action! Shoreline School District parent advocate Michelle Harris testified on behalf of Washington State PTA in strong support of HB 2494, increasing the allocation for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs. Michelle shared that for her district, skyrocketing insurance increases will cost $2 million or about 8% of the enrichment levy. Watch Michelle here.…
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Advocacy
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Legislative