WSPTA Testifies: Close the Funding Gaps
Advocacy in Action On January 22, the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard public testimony on bills that would close the funding gaps in what are being called “The Big Three” – special education, school operating costs (MSOC), and student transportation. WSPTA Board Secretary Melissa Stone was part of a panel of education…
WSPTA Testifies: Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
Advocacy in Action! Dr. Gwen Loosmore testified in two committees on January 21st, bringing Washington State PTA’s priority position of preventing and reducing gun violence and suicide to the forefront of bills related to common sense solutions to approach escalating gun violence. In the House Finance Committee, Gwen shared statistics about suicide and gun deaths…
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…
Presidential Transition and the 119th Congress
National PTA recently shared their 2024 Transition Memo regarding the new Administration and 119th Congress to be sworn in next week. You can read their memo here. National PTA will continue to provide resources and materials to empower PTA advocates across the country to work with their elected officials at all levels of government to ensure all children…
Category:
Advocacy
,
Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Disappointment with Operating Budget Proposal
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck testified in both the House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means committees on Monday and Tuesday, sharing members’ disappointment with the lack of investments in K-12 education in outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee’s operating budget proposal. Steck focused on the Big 3 – MSOC (materials, supplies, and operating costs),…
69th Legislature Convenes January 13 Amid New Faces, Projected Deficit
By Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The Washington State Legislature convenes Monday, January 13th for the first year of the 2025-27 biennium and a 105-day session that is scheduled to end April 27, 2025. Legislators must adopt two-year budgets for operating, capital, and transportation, based on updated revenue forecasts and changes to caseloads since they left town in…
Highlighting the Non-Signer Monthly Review
Does your PTA have a non-signer reviewing your finances each month? Did you know that if you have Fidelity Bond (crime) insurance, you are required to have a member of your PTA, that does not have the authority to sign for financial transactions, reviewing your financial statements monthly? Even if your PTA does not carry…
Category:
Governance
,
Training
Individual State Awards – Nominate Someone Now!
Help to recognize leaders for their work in statewide service, advocacy, and teaching (including staff) by submitting a nomination! The all-in-one form for nominating leaders is now available on the WSPTA Application & Submission Portal and has been updated to make it easy and quick to apply. Visit this page for more information about all the state-level awards and…
Category:
Awards
The WSPTA Office is Moving!
The WSPTA office will move to 949 Market Street, Suite 550, Tacoma WA 98402 as of December 1, 2024. Washington State PTA serves as the registered agent for many PTAs. Here’s what to do if this applies to your PTA: Secretary of State – If the WSPTA office is your registered agent for the Secretary of State Charities Program or Secretary…
Category:
Governance
Share Your PTA’s Good Work During Inclusive Schools Week
Inclusive Schools Week celebrates the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population, including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural heritage, language preference, and other factors. In recognition of this year’s Inclusive Schools Week theme, “Every Voice Matters,” WSPTA wants…
Category:
Family Engagement