2011 Legislative Session
Get transcripts, summaries and other information from the 2011 Legislative Session.
Focus on Schools: 2011 legislative session
HOW ARE WE DOING?
What does the state tax dollar buy?
State law:
WSPTA handout:
Figuring out what part of school budgets are covered by state funds has long been confusing, and making the process understandable was a key part of the basic education funding reform legislation of 2009 (HB 2261). In 2011, the state determined funding using the new “prototypical school model,” that is, a model based on staffing and programs offered by the typical elementary, middle or high school.
Actual budgets are decided at the local level. The prototypical model is to help guide the state and help clarify the process for citizens. It lays out what class sizes are funded at, and whether or not funding is provided for counselors, librarians and other non-classroom staff.
NOTE: Actual costs in your school district can vary quite a bit from the state’s model, particularly around payroll. Many districts opt to pay higher salaries than the state’s base, and many districts hire more staff than provided for in the model. (Mainly to pay for a six-hour day; to offer smaller class sizes; or to offer more courses at the middle and high school level.)
Salary allocations for instructional, administrative and classified staff:
http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/leapdocs/2011L2.pdf
Grassroots Connection
Grassroots Connection provides PTA advocates with information and updates about pertinent
bills and hearings as well as tips about the legislative process and ways to get involved.
January 18, 2012: Hearing recap and testimony on charter schools
January 17, 2012: Evaluations, early learning, juvenile justice, charter schools on agenda
January 5, 2012: No more delays on K-12 funding
December 6, 2011: Cutting days a legal mess
November 21, 2011: Cuts go too far, take wrong approach
November 12, 2011: Support for charter schools
November 11, 2011: Priorities for fall special session
November 1, 2011: Reading flagged in Nation’s Report Card
October 27, 2011: Governor’s preliminary cuts
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2010-12 Legislative Platform
The Washington State PTA, through its annual grassroots process, has adopted this legislative platform for the
2011 session of the Washington State Legislature.
Click here for more information