2025-26 Advocacy

What can PTA leaders & community members do in the face of the SPS budget deficit and lack of state & federal funding? 

  • Do your research on public school funding and the history of education in Washington state and the United States. Think critically about everything you read and hear—what sounds like a good idea on the surface can cause more harm if we're not informed.

    We recommend this thoughtful opinion by Mark Epstein and Michael Dixon. It was published by the South Seattle Emerald last year, but the content is very relevant to our conversations happening today.

    We also recommend Underfunded and Unsustainable a recent report on the education funding crisis from The League of Education Voters. The report contains findings from in-depth interviews with district superintendents from 28 Washington state school districts and a look at district staffing and spending data to help inform how we can respond and ensure that students are centered as we look to how we can emerge from this challenging time.

  • Organize with SCPTSA and other organizations who have been advocating for equitable and fully-funded education across Washington State for some time. Select organizations that were estabolished and are currently led by folks of color. Make sure the organization as a whole is representitive of the Students and families in Seattle Public Schools. Families and communities with students furthest from educational justice have the knowledge and experience needed to change our public education system so ALL children can thrive. SPCPTSA recommends checking out the Southeast Seattle Education Coalition to start.

  • We believe diversity is our strength, equity drives our mission and collaboration must be inclusive.

    Who is in your community?
    Who are the students and families in your building?
    Who do your communications reach?
    Who is included in discussions and events?
    Who is represented in leadership?

    Our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We can only achieve this in full collaboration and partnership with the broadest possible set of volunteers, staff, educators, schools and communities. Our work begins with building relationships and requires us to recognize and address bias and privilege, and account for cultural status and power dynamics.

    Join SCPTSA on Monday, October 13th, from 12–1:30 pm on Zoom for a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leadership Lunch & Learn. as we discuss National PTA’s DEI toolkit, review the Local Leader Guidance for DEI and how it can benefit our students, and share stories from PTA’s engaged in this work.

    All are welcome! This meeting will also be recorded so leaders can watch at a time that works with their schedules.

    Zoom Meeting ID: 862 5540 0808
    Passcode: 284510
    Learn more / Zoom link


  • King County General Election
    November 4, 2025
    Find accurate and reliable election information, view election results, and learn how to register and vote in King County. 

    Returning my ballot
    You can vote and return your ballot as soon as you receive it. There are three ways to return your ballot, by mail, at a ballot drop box, or in-person at a vote center.

    Accessible voting options in King County:
    Online ballot marking
    Any registered voter can use our online ballot marking site. We designed the online ballot marking site to help voters who are blind or have low vision cast a private ballot.

    Vote Centers
    If you need help with voter registration, election information or your ballot, you can go to one of our Vote Centers. Each Vote Center has accessible voting units with audio, large print ballots, and other assistive tools to help voters with disabilities cast an independent and private ballot. Elections staff are available to help. Voters can also register and get their ballot at a Vote Center through Election Day.

    Accessible Voting Events
    In partnership with local libraries and other community groups, King County Elections staff hosts Accessible Voting Events, complete with trained Elections staff and accessible voting units to assist voters. At these events, voters can register to vote or update their voting address, get a replacement ballot, use an accessible voting unit, and ask questions of staff.

 
 

Has your PTA discussed the FEPP Levy renewal?

The City of Seattle's Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy expires this year, and a renewal and extension is on the ballot (Prop 1) in the November 4th election.

If approved by Seattle voters, the 2025 FEPP Levy would generate $1.3 Billion in revenue over six years (2026-2032) to sustain and expand investments supporting Seattle children, youth, and families.



The FEPP Levy is foundational to the Every Child Ready Initiative, which aims for every child to be Ready To Start, Ready To Learn, and Ready To Launch. Learn more and share this info with your community with the downloadable pdf flyers below: