To sign on, click the bill links below, click on "testify" and then click on "I would like my position noted for the legislative record."
HB 1795 – Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.
➜ Sign in PRO by Monday, Feb 10 • 12:30 pm
SCPTSA says: Here in SPS, we have a school board policy protecting students from isolation and limiting restraint, but across the rest of WA children don’t have that protection. A report by the ACLU and Disability Rights Washington details harm to children across the state, most often impacting our youngest learners. Children should be safe at school, and they should not be subjected to abuse that causes life long harm. Legislators wouldn’t pass legislation on this last year, so we are hoping this year we can get better protections in place for students.
SB 5187 – Providing adequate and predictable student transportation.
➜ Sign in PRO by Tuesday, Feb 11 • 3 pm
SCPTSA says: Last year alone, SPS spent $20,010,210 more on student transportation than our district was provided by the state. The yellow school bus is a cultural touchpoint in this country that symbolizes school. Getting to and from school safely is critical for education. We need improvements to transportation funding.
SB 5192 – Concerning school district materials, supplies, and operating costs.
➜ Sign in PRO by Tuesday, Feb 11 • 3 pm
SCPTSA says: This is "keep the lights on" money. PTAs are often asked to pay for basic costs of keeping a school running, such as paper. In 2023-24 alone, the in Seattle Public Schools the gap between our district's utilities and insurance expenditures and state revenue was $6,339,080. This bill will help, but it won't fully close the gap. We'll take the boost, but ask our legislators to keep in mind that insurance costs increase at the rate of wildfires, not just IPD.
SB 5263 – Concerning special education funding.
➜ Sign in PRO by Tuesday, Feb 11 • 3 pm
SCPTSA says: Special education is how students with IEPs access basic education. It is not acceptable that our state denies funding for basic education for some students solely because those students are disabled. Our district is obligated, legally, morally, and ethically, to provide access to education for these students, whether or not our state chooses to fund. Last year alone, our state came up short for Seattle Public Schools Students by $74 million.
HB 1817 – Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.
➜ Sign in PRO by Thursday, Feb 13 • 7 am
SCPTSA says: We must continue to improve the supports for survivors of sexual assault in public schools.
SB 5654 – Addressing restraint or isolation of students in public schools and educational programs.
➜ Sign in PRO by Thursday, Feb 13 • 9:30 am
SCPTSA says: Here in SPS, we have a school board policy protecting students from isolation and limiting restraint, but across the rest of WA children don’t have that protection. A report by the ACLU and Disability Rights Washington details harm to children across the state, most often impacting our youngest learners. Children should be safe at school, and they should not be subjected to abuse that causes life long harm. Legislators wouldn’t pass legislation on this last year, so we are hoping this year we can get better protections in place for students.
Thank you for supporting Washington students!
Questions? Please reach out to president@scptsa.org, treasurer@scptsa.org, or secretary@scptsa.org and we would be happy to help.