LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Advocacy (Ken Levesque): PTA Legislative Assembly was October 24, 2015, in Olympia. There were round robin discussions with the McCleary decision and one of the focus items regarding foster children getting the proper attention in education as they are moved around. These students have different requirements of their educational settings. The role of paraeducators, their level of education/training, and the amount of instructional hours provided by them, is also a focus. There was discussion of creating a system of licensing and standards to become a paraeducator, as overseen by PTA/state/educational board. The State PTA would ask local PTA’s to adopt a resolution and make it one of our issues, sign and share the resolution with PTA members and parents, and also share our legislator contact information with members. Ken Levesque will email the letter to Monica Smith, current KP PTA President.
Arlington School District Levy (Mary Levesque): A levy is a tax taken for a specific purpose and time period. Arlington School District already has a levy in place. The February 9th vote is only to REPLACE the existing levy – not to create a new one. There is no increase in this levy. This is a four year levy also. Encouragement was given to support and join the levy committee. Residents can go onto Facebook and join under Citizens’ Committee for Arlington Schools. Voting is February 9th. Local PTAs may support levies.
At the November 9, 2015 KPPTA General meeting there was a motion &vote:
Motion by Sydney Costello, “I move that KPPTA supports the upcoming school levy renewal.”
Seconded and passed with “aye” vote.
Arlington School District Levy (Mary Levesque): A levy is a tax taken for a specific purpose and time period. Arlington School District already has a levy in place. The February 9th vote is only to REPLACE the existing levy – not to create a new one. There is no increase in this levy. This is a four year levy also. Encouragement was given to support and join the levy committee. Residents can go onto Facebook and join under Citizens’ Committee for Arlington Schools. Voting is February 9th. Local PTAs may support levies.
At the November 9, 2015 KPPTA General meeting there was a motion &vote:
Motion by Sydney Costello, “I move that KPPTA supports the upcoming school levy renewal.”
Seconded and passed with “aye” vote.
WA STATE PTA - http://www.wastatepta.org/advocacy/
2015 Legislative Priorities
2015-16 Top 5 and Supported Priorities
2015-16 Legislator Handout - Updated November 2015
WSPTA’s priorities for the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions:
1. Funding McCleary
2. Create Positive School Climates Through Social Emotional Learning
3. Increasing Capital Funding
4. Increased Access to Higher Education
5. Breakfast After the Bell
2015-16 Legislative Issues
Issue #1: Improving Education Outcomes for Foster Children
Issue #2: Career Development and Training for Paraeducators
Every two years, Washington State PTA votes in a Top 5 and designates other issues that it considers timely. The association has numerous positions that support the well-being and education of all children and this process helps us focus our advocacy.
In the off years, adjustments can be made to the two-year platform, but the Top 5 stay in place. A new platform will be voted on in October 2016.
2015-16 Top 5 and Supported Priorities
2015-16 Legislator Handout - Updated November 2015
WSPTA’s priorities for the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions:
1. Funding McCleary
2. Create Positive School Climates Through Social Emotional Learning
3. Increasing Capital Funding
4. Increased Access to Higher Education
5. Breakfast After the Bell
2015-16 Legislative Issues
Issue #1: Improving Education Outcomes for Foster Children
Issue #2: Career Development and Training for Paraeducators
Every two years, Washington State PTA votes in a Top 5 and designates other issues that it considers timely. The association has numerous positions that support the well-being and education of all children and this process helps us focus our advocacy.
In the off years, adjustments can be made to the two-year platform, but the Top 5 stay in place. A new platform will be voted on in October 2016.
