Senate Advances Bill to Extend Levy Cliff to 2019

As its last bill of the March 8 cutoff, the Senate Wednesday night passed an amended bill on the "levy cliff" (ESB 5023), with all members voting in favor; with the exception of Republican Senator Michael Baumgartner of West Spokane. The Senate ran their version of the bill so they could change the title to be about excess levies and not the levy cliff.

The striking amendment offered by Senator Fain:

·        Extends current local levy authority and LEA through January 1, 2019;

·        Requires that all levies collected in calendar year 2018, and thereafter, be deposited into a local revenue sub-fund of the general fund to enable detailed accounting of the amount and the object of expenditures; and

·        Requires that any enrichment levies going to the voters after January 1, 2018 be approved by Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) before being placed on the ballot. Districts planning to go to the voters with an M&O enrichment levy would be required to create a detailed report of the activities to be funded and then submit that report to OSPI for approval. The bill states that enrichment levies beyond the state-provided funding in the omnibus appropriations act for the basic education program components under RCW 28A.150.260 (prototypical schools funding formula) are a permitted use.

WSPTA members are strongly encouraged to listen to the debate, which led to the 48-1 vote. 

It will be critical that school districts, parents, and other education advocates explain the gap story in their school and district, which basically means having a better understanding of what it actually costs to run that school, serve its students, and attract and retain professional educators. 

Members are encouraged to write House and Senate members to express their thanks that a levy extension bill is in play. But messages also should stress that with prohibitions on the use of local levies for activities deemed basic education, the state will have to step up in a really big way. Otherwise, areas that are underfunded now and where local funds are supplementing the most basic of activities - like transportation, nurses, and special education - will fall short in the final education funding solution. 

Prepared by:

Marie Sullivan

WSPTA Legislative Consultant

Member Connection - Winter Edition

In observance of the holiday season, the WSPTA office will close at noon on Friday, December 23 and will re-open Tuesday, January 3rd.

Thank you to each member, volunteer, leader, and supporter for all of your hard work throughout the PTA year and have a happy holiday season.

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GREAT WOLF LODGE MEMBER BENEFIT UPDATE!

As we approach the New Year, there is one big change taking place with the Great Wolf Lodge Discount Program. The change is, the discount code provided allows WSPTA members to book at any Great Wolf Lodge in the US and receive a discount!

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FOCUS DAY 2017

January 16 | State Capitol | Registration

Have you registered for 2017 Focus Day? In order to receive your free Top Five Platform t-shirt, you will need to register! Learn more about Focus Day here.

Following the release of Governor Inslee's proposed budget, which includes $3.9B in education funding, WSPTA advocates will hear from the Governor himself.

Ready to Rally? WSPTA advocates will be rallying on the capitol steps to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by celebrating Education as a Civil Right, alongside many other Washington State advocacy groups.

Meet Your Legislators. The main reason for Focus Day is learning about Washington State PTA (WSPTA), our advocacy an legislative platform, and meeting with your legislators to talk about the importance of our Whole Child advocacy! Don't miss this opportunity for an exclusive audience with your elected officials.

In addition to the Governor, new Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Chris Reykdal will also spend time with us in the rotunda. Chris will talk about his vision for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and his top priorities during the first 100 days of office. 

Kids are welcome! There will be kids’ activities available in the Columbia Room.

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EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT (ESSA) & YOUR CHILD

Washington’s ESSA Consolidated Plan represents a serious turning point in our state’s educational system. It continues the path of innovation and excellence in education, and positions 1.1 million students for a more successful future. The Consolidated Plan is being created as part of the requirements of the 2015 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, entitled Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must submit the ESSA Consolidated Plan to the U.S. Department of Education for approval by the end of December 2016. If you have questions about ESSA, please contact Sherry Krainick, WSPTA Learning Assessment Coordinator.

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WSPTA//GAME DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION

Submit to Intent Form Due January 9

The WSPTA//Game Development Competition is a new Washington State PTA STEM-based program that supports student success for students in grades 9-12. The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves, either individually or in teams, by creating a computer game. 

Got Game? Learn more about the competition here.

Note: The General Rules for Participation have been updated to include information about usage of acceptable game engines. In general, participants may use any game engine that fits their needs or skills but they must read and understand the terms and conditions for use.

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NEW PTA FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

Boosterthon

We understand that choosing the right fundraiser can feel overwhelming. Over the past 15 years, Boosterthon has developed a proven system that raises schools (on average) 70% more than their previous fundraiser. It's just one of the many reasons why 1,900 elementary schools across America choose Boosterthon's fitness and character-building experience year after year. Learn more.

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STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LAUNCHES VIDEO CONTEST 

The slogan for the Listen2YourSelfie youth marijuana prevention campaign is “Remember what’s important. Forget marijuana.” This video contest gives teens 13-18 the chance to shape the campaign, win a GoPro and appear in future campaign ads. We want to make this campaign more youth-led by learning, “What’s important to you?”

For more information, visit www.Listen2YourSelfie.org/contest or follow #Listen2YourSelfie.

Source: Washington State Department of Health

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PTA MEN'S ESSAY CONTEST

March 1

This statewide essay contest explores the important contributions that men make in the lives and education of children - from our children's perspective. All men involved in a child's life - fathers, uncles, grandpas, brothers, step-fathers, mentors, neighbors, pastors, coaches, and friends - impact the children they care about. Learn more here.

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WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING NEW PTAS

The following is a list of PTAs/PTSAs that have chartered during the 2016-17 PTA year:

Risdon Middle PTA 9.11.92  North Elementary PTA 12.2.10  Carbonado Historical School PTA 5.9.22  Gibson PTSA 2.6.60

Blue Ridge PTA 12.6.7  Marysville Middle School PTSA 7.4.45 Kalles Jr. High PTSA 5.7.95

ESSA Draft Consolidated Plan Outreach

Shape your public education system for years to come by providing feedback on Washington’s ESSA draft Consolidated Plan, through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Washington State PTA was involved in the draft process, and OSPI wants the viewpoints of their constituents well represented. OSPI was one of hundreds of groups to contribute to the ESSA draft Consolidated Plan, alongside districts, legislators, education organizations, tribal leaders, and higher education institutions.

The draft Consolidated Plan is complete and released for public comment until 11:59 p.m. on December 15th. Read about the plan and provide feedback here.

Expanded Learning Parent/Guardian Survey

The Expanded Learning Opportunities Council would like your input on expanded learning opportunities. Survey data will be used for council recommendations to Governor Jay Inslee, the Washington State Legislature, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Take the survey here.