Close

WSPTA Login

Legislative Session

February 15, 2019

WSPTA Testifies on School Construction and Simple Majority for Bonds

Sherry Rudolph showed some love for two bills that were heard February 14, including SB 5853, which would increase the 40-year old student space allocation and cost allowance formulas to more current standards, with a phased-in approach. The bill was part of the Senate Ways & Means Committee meeting. Here’s her testimony in support of…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

February 11, 2019

WSPTA Testifies on HB 1272 – School Lunch

Amy Ulrich, lead on the Best Practices for School Meals – Lunch position adopted last fall, testified in favor of HB 1272, which would direct OSPI to identify six demonstration sites to support a 20-minute seated lunch period. Amy’s testimony: Testimony on HB 1272                2/5/2019 3:30 p.m., House Education, HHR A Good afternoon, Madam…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

February 10, 2019

2019 Legislative Session – Week 5

Snowmageddon strikes but Advocacy Week continues Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Even before forecasts of large snowstorms across the state were announced for February 8th through the weekend and Governor Jay Inslee declared an emergency, Olympia started the week with a dusting of snow. Schools were closed or delayed, people were encouraged…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

February 4, 2019

2019 Legislative Session – Week 4

School safety top issue in education committees this week Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org House Education Committee members held a work session on school safety and security January 29th, hearing about the tragic Sandy Hook shooting from Alissa Parker, a parent whose daughter was among the 20 children killed that day. Parker,…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 31, 2019

Testimony on SB 5315 and SB 5317

Northshore parent Robin Zaback testified on behalf of WSPTA January 30, 2019, in support of SB 5315, which would increase the ratios of nurses, social workers, guidance counselors and school psychologists in schools, starting with districts above 50% eligibility of students in the Free or Reduced Price Meals program. Robin asked for one change –…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 30, 2019

WSPTA Members Testify on Dual Credits and Early Learning

On January 29 two WSPTA members testified. Seattle PTSA Council member Heidi Bennett testifiedin the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee in support of SB 5410, a bill that would increase predictability for students seeking college-awarded credits through IB and Cambridge courses when certain scores are hit on the exams. Sylvia Gil from the…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 30, 2019

WSPTA Testifies on HB 1384 Regarding High Poverty LAP Funding

On January 28, 2019, WSPTA Advocacy Director Nancy Chamberlain testified in strong support of HB 1384, which would lower the threshold for schools to qualify for High Poverty Learning Assistance Program funding, from 50% free and reduced lunch program (FRLP) participation to the statewide average for FRLP (approx. 43%). This change would give additional funding…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 30, 2019

WSPTA Testifies on Enrichment Levies and Special Education Funding

On Wednesday, January 23, 2019, following a work session K-12 and special education funding, WSPTA Advocacy Director Nancy Chamberlain testified on three bills related to making changes to local school district enrichment levies (SB 5313, SB 5316, and SB 5466). She also testified on two bills making changes to how school districts would be reimbursed…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 29, 2019

WSPTA Testifies on SB 5014, SB 5548 and SB 5146

On Friday, January 25, WSPTA President Michelle Nims gave testimony on three separate bills in front of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee (click here for the full text). For SB 5014, she spoke in support of the bill which would delink state assessments from high school graduation requirements and shared stories. President…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative

January 28, 2019

2019 Legislative Session – Week 3

Senate discusses levies, special education, health benefits, assessments Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org The Senate Ways & Means Committee kicked off the week with a work session on K-12 finance, changes to local levies, and special education funding. Segments are worth watching, and include OSPI, a school district panel of Seattle, Davenport…
Read More
Category: Advocacy , Legislative