| Issaquah High PTSA |
| Support, Strive, Succeed |
| Legislation |
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This is the place where you can learn about your PTSA’s legislative
priorities and other supported issues, participate in the discussion,
and find more ways to get involved. Check here regularly for legislative updates. What is Advocacy? was the topic of the Issaquah PTSA Council's remarks to the Issaquah School Board in February 2012. Advocacy is taking action to make the lives of children better. Read the Council's remarks... Legislative Calls to Action: Periodically, as legislative issues arise that benefit from contact with legislators, PTSA issues a "call to action." Sometimes the "call" requests a trip to Olympia; most of the time, the "call" asks you to phone the Legislative hotline, 1-800-562-6000, or send an email to your representatives and/or senator. Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly is an annual gathering of PTA/PTSA representatives from all over the State of Washington. Every two years, delegates to this assembly vote in top “priority” issues and designate other issues that it considers timely. Washington State PTA has numerous positions that support the well-being and education of all children and this process helps it focus its advocacy and lobbying efforts. In the "off years", adjustments can be made to the two-year platform, but the Top 5 stay in place. These "off year" assemblies also offer delegates training to learn how to effectively advocate for children at all levels. May 2012: It’s time to start thinking about Washington State PTA’s (WSPTA) legislative platform for the 2013 and 2014 legislative sessions. WSPTA’s advocacy efforts are guided by Legislative Principles, Resolutions and by the platform adopted by delegates to the WSPTA Legislative Assembly held each year. All previous short term issues adopted in October of 2010 and 2011 have expired, and an entirely new list of top issues will be adopted at this fall's Legislative Assembly, which will be October 19-20, 2012 at the SeaTac Marriott. This is a member driven process—any member can submit a proposed issue for consideration. More information about the issues process –including the form used to propose an issue for consideration—is available in the Advocacy section of the Washington State PTA website. The deadline for submission is June 1, 2012, so now is the time to let your voice be heard! In October 2010, the assembly voted in the Top 5, then delegates added a sixth because of a one-vote difference. In October 2011, the assembly approved several proposals which have been added as “supported” and together with the Top 6 issues approved in 2010 will make up the State PTA's legislative platform for 2011-2012. The Top Legislative Priorities as voted on at the October 2010 Legislative Assembly:
The Supported Issues:
Additional details and resources can be found on the Washington State PTA Advocacy webpage. Contact Jody Mull, IH PTSA Legislative Chair, with questions or if you need more information. Washington State Legislative Report: The State Legislature has completed its regular and special sessions for this year. State Budget: Check the Issaquah School District website for up to date information on how the state budget will affect our schools. Information about the State Legislature can be found on the Washington State Legislature website. Bills of interest to education in the 2012 Regular Session: Senate and House Bill 5895 - regarding teacher evaluations. Passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Gregoire. Senate Bill 6202 and House Bill 2428- regarding charter schools. Did not pass through legislation. If you would like to contact your State legislators, you can call or email them - click on TAKE ACTION. Locate email contact information for your legislators at http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx (click on the "Find Your District" tab, enter your address and a map of your legislative district along with the email addresses for your legislators will be displayed). Leave a voice message by phoning the Legislative Hotline, 1.800.562.6000. School District Levies and Bonds Levies are typically voted upon every four years. The last district levy vote was in February 2010. Bonds are submitted to the voters on an as-needed basis. Voters passed the most recent bond on April 17, 2012. Visit the Issaquah School District website for details about this bond. Issaquah High PTSA endorsed this bond proposal. Read more on our PTSA VIS webpage Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS) is an organization that organizes campaigns to pass levies and bonds in the Issaquah School District. VIS is on Facebook. Both students and parents can join their own Facebook groups: Issaquah Students for Issaquah Schools (ISIS) and Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS). Join today and keep up on the latest VIS news. If you have any questions about VIS, please contact Betsy Cohen, IH PTSA Volunteers for Issaquah Schools Liaison. Legislative Focus Day Thank you to all who attended Washington State PTA Focus Day on February 20, when advocates from all around the state descended upon Olympia to be a voice for kids! National PTA As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child and the best tools to help their children be safe, healthy, and successful - in school and in life. For more information on the National PTA’s advocacy efforts, visit PTA.org. Registering to Vote When your student turns 18 years old, he/she can register to vote. He/she can register online: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Elections/Registration.aspx For more information about Washington State PTA's advocacy issues, check out the Advocacy section of the Washington State PTA website. For legislative information and/or updates, contact PTSA Legislation chair: Jody Mull. |
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