This is an exciting time for Education in Washington. For the first time in about 30years, there's finally a plan in front of our Legislature to change the way education is funded in our state. Below is some information that I encourage you all to read. Those of you who can participate in any or all of these activities will make a huge impression. I apologize for the late information and notice.
Want even more information on these topics? Visit http://www.wastatepta.org/legislation.htm.
Julie Rooney
PTSA Class of 2011 Liaison
http://newport-ptsa-2011.blogspot.com/
--------------------------------------------------------
Basic Education Funding
The Basic Education Financing Task Force (BEFTF) has released their report on what the Washington State education system needs. Now the legislature will be taking action on this report (available here: http://www.leg.wa.gov/documents/joint/bef/FinalReport.pdf) and they need to hear from you.
Take 5 minutes right now and do something that will make a difference for your children, for all the children of Washington! http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/
Ask them to support the recommendations of the Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance! Remind them to keep education at the top of their thoughts this session. Remind them that funding education is the State's paramount duty stated directly in our State's constitution!
If you have any questions on either of these items, please contact Newport PTSA Leg Chairs Sally Caplan at sallycaplan@msn.com or Scott Allen at scottallen1@comcast.net.
Please read the information below From Kim Howard regarding hearings this week January 26-28th.
-------------------------------------
Bellevue Council Meeting – Barb Billinghurst
On February 2, 2009, at 7:00 PM, the Bellevue PTSA Council will have its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at the Bellevue School District offices in the Board Room.
This is important for you because we will have Barb Billinghurst speaking to us about HB 1410 and SB 5444--the two new critical-to-education bills that are being considered in Olympia right now. Ms. Billinghurst has been instrumental in the education reform process for years and will be able to answer all your questions about the bills and the process. This meeting is normally attended by our PTSA officers, but everyone is welcome.
The District office is at 12111 NE 1st St., Bellevue. Do not miss this time to have your questions answered. Connie Gerlitz, Council Leg. Chair
----------------------------------------
Washington State PTA Legislative Update
January 18, 2009
Welcome to the 3rd edition of the Grassroots Connection for the 2009 Legislative Session!
This week I am going to send you the Grassroots Connection in two parts in order to quickly make you aware of hearings regarding our top priority issue next week and how you can participate.
This past week companion bills (meaning that the language is the same in each one) were dropped in the House and HB 1410 the Senate SB 5444 which translate the report of the Basic Education Finance task force into bill language. The first committee hearings about these bills are scheduled for this week. PTA is in the process of reviewing the 100+ page bill and will provide testimony from the organization during these hearings. Legislators need to hear from you as well! Hearing schedules are at the end of this email. Please note that you would only testify at one of the two K-12 and Early Childhood education hearing times, although we would encourage attendance at all hearings as a show The second hearing of that group is simply a continuation of the first hearing.
1. We are encouraging as many members as possible from across the state to actually come to Olympia to attend these hearings in order to show legislators that many folks care about following up on the work of the task force. Legislators need to see and hear from their constituents.
2. Members are encouraged to briefly testify at these hearings. Tips for testimony are below.
3. Members who can not come to Olympia are strongly encouraged to write a note to their legislators and the Governor expressing why you care about developing a better funding system for public education. You can use our Cap-Wiz email system to send messages to your legislators. To very easily pull up all of the email addresses for your district, all you will need is your zip code. Follow the link. State Legislative Directory
4. You are also highly encouraged to call your legislators directly. If you can not speak to your legislator, leave a message with the staff person who answers. If you go to the link above to find your legislators, you will also find phone #s.
Again, members are encouraged to come to testify about why they see the need for education finance reform. I have attached the WSPTA position statement which includes WSPTA endorsement of the report from the task force, released this week. Here are a few suggestions for your testimony:
1. Members who wish to testify will need to show up early and sign in on a sheet which will be on a table just inside the hearing room. Look for the line-up to sign in.
2. When you are called to the front of the room, thank the chair of the committee and committee members for the opportunity to testify. (You will hear all others do this as well.)
3. Introduce yourself, by stating your name, that you are a PTA member and where you have come from. (It would be great if many areas of the state were represented.)
4. Provide brief testimony – prepare up to 90 seconds about why you feel that the education finance system needs reform. (We expect many people to want to testify. Brief testimony is the most effective way to maintain the attention and interest of the legislators.)
5. During your testimony, give specific examples of cuts your district has had to endure or program deficiencies and how this has affected your children.
6. Thank the committee at the end of your testimony.
7. Type up your testimony and bring 20 copies if possible. Hand the copies to committee staff (along the side of the room) after your testimony.
8. Please send me an email to let me know that you are coming. It will help our efforts to know who you are and where you are coming from. If you wish, share your testimony with me in advance via email.
Early Learning & K-12 Education* - 01/26/09 1:30 pm
Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA
REVISED 1/23/2009 4:55 PM
Public Hearing:
1. SB 5410 - Regarding the digital learning commons.
2. SB 5378 - Regarding accreditation of digital learning programs.
3. SB 5444 - Creating a comprehensive system of public education programs, finance, and accountability.
Executive Session:
1. SB 5248 - Enacting the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children.
2. SB 5491 - Requiring school districts or educational service districts to purchase employee health insurance coverage through the state health care authority.
Early Learning & K-12 Education - 01/28/09 8:00 am
Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 1
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA
Public Hearing: Continuation from Monday's Hearing:
1. SB 5444 - Creating a comprehensive system of public education programs, finance, and accountability.
Education Appropriations - 01/28/09 6:00 pm
Full Committee
House Hearing Rm A
John L. O'Brien Building
Olympia, WA
Work Session: Basic Education Finance Task Force report.
Public Hearing: HB 1410 - Creating a comprehensive system of public education programs, finance, and accountability.
Thank you for all that you do on behalf of the children of our state. Kim
Kim Howard
Government Relations
Washington State PTA
2003 65th Ave. West
Tacoma, WA 98466
253-565-2153
253-241-7187 (cell)
khoward@wastatepta.org
