WSPTA hosts “back to school” webinar with OSPI, DOH, and Governor’s office
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, Deputy Secretary for COVID Response Lacy Fehrenbach, and Governor’s K12 Policy Advisor Maddy Thompson joined WSPTA members April 22 to discuss school under COVID, including what the current situation is and what to expect for next fall. Listen to the 90-minute webinar here.
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Information regarding ESSB 5395 – Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Bill
Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant Parents who are wondering about ESSB 5395, the comprehensive sexual health education bill, may find the following bill information or this bill report helpful. As always, I encourage people to “read the bill.” Here some things to keep in mind: Timing & Curriculum If your district doesn’t currently…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA testifies on HB 1010 and SB 5153 – January 15, 2019
On Tuesday, January 15, 2019, two WSPTA members journeyed to Olympia on behalf of the children of Washington state. Dr. Gwen Loosmoore of Mercer Island addressed the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee on HB 1010 concerning the disposition of forfeited firearms by the Washington state patrol. Dr. Loosmoore shared that Gun Violence Prevention as…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Testifies on HB 1109
On the opening day of the 2019 legislative session, WSPTA President Michelle Nims testified in front of the House Appropriations committee. President Nims thanked the legislature for its large investments in K-12 funding over the last several biennia and encouraged additional strategic investments to close the opportunity gaps facing students. She continued to share WSPTA’s…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
Washington State PTA’s Response to Federal School Safety Commission Report
After months of input, the Federal Commission on School Safety released its final report this week. The Washington State PTA (WSPTA) supports the National PTA statement expressing some concerns about several of the recommendations, including: The rollback of the 2014 guidance on school discipline from the U.S. Department of Education and Justice Department is particularly…
Washington State PTA Statement on Governor Jay Inslee’s 2019-21 Budget Proposals
Photo credit (Ted S. Warren / The Associated Press) “Washington State PTA (WSPTA) is very pleased with the direction of the Governor’s proposed two-year budget,” said Michelle Nims, president. “At the top of our priorities is increasing the staffing for student well-being, including additional nurses, social workers, behavioral health specialists, psychologists, and counselors. This budget starts with…
Category:
Legislative
Governor’s 2018 budget would close gap mandated by Court
In his 2018 supplemental operating budget, Democratic Governor Jay Inslee proposed spending $950 million to reach full funding of state salary allocations for educators and school staff in the 2018-19 school year. This would move up the state’s salary phase-in by a year, which would resolve the problem raised by the Supreme Court last month…
WSPTA Invited to Press Conference for the Release of Governor Inslee’s 2018 Supplemental Budget
Flanked by leaders from the Washington State PTA and the Washington Education Association, Governor Jay Inslee released his proposed 2018 supplemental budget Thursday morning. Also invited to speak at the press conference was Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. Hear WSPTA President Michelle Nims’ speech, as she represents over 133,000 members, and the details about…
November 15 Supreme Court McCLeary Ruling Summation from Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS)
WSPTA is an original member of The Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS). Below is a summation from NEWS of yesterday’s ruling. The Supreme Court’s November 15, 2017 Order did three things: It unanimously rejected the State’s claim that the 2017 legislature satisfied the court orders in the McCleary case. It unanimously rejected the…
State Assistant Attorney General asks Supreme Court to End McCleary Case
Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org In oral arguments before the Supreme Court on October 24, 2017, state Assistant Attorney General Alan Copsey asked the Court to find that the state is in compliance with amply funding education and to close the case. In the event the Court was concerned about the two-biennium…