posted Jan 16, 2010 3:20 PM by Rena Peterson
Information provided by Kathryn M. Reith, APR, Director of Communications, LWSD
Governor’s budget could result in $7 million cuts again this year for LWSD
Increased levy lid, legislative adjustments could change cuts
The Governor’s proposed 2010 supplemental state budget could reduce revenue by an amount similar to last year’s budget shortfall. In response to the State’s $2.6 billion deficit, the governor proposed a “balanced” budget at the end of last month. The governor’s original budget proposal would mean $7.6 million in cuts for us. A second budget, based on new tax revenues and federal funds, was recently proposed by the governor. The total impact on LWSD if the governor’s second budget were to be implemented would be $7.4 million.
The largest cuts in the governor’s proposed budget come in areas that impact class size. The K-4 class size reduction funds, over $3.4 million for LWSD, would be eliminated. On top of that cut, the remainder of I-728 funding would be eliminated, or $2.3 million. Together these funding sources provide for 77 teacher jobs. This funding directly impacts class size in the early grades and safety net support. Teachers would also lose one lid day under the proposal.
State dollars for programs for highly capable students ($213,000 for LWSD) and funding for junior high Career & Technical Education ($23,000 for LWSD) would be completely eliminated if the governor’s tax increase package is not included in the final legislation. The other major items that the governor proposes to bring back with a tax increase include levy equalization and state funding for all day kindergarten. Lake Washington School District does not get any money for either of those items.
We anticipate using an input process similar to last year to help determine where to make these additional cuts. We will once again look at alternatives to cutting the specific areas funded by the state cuts, keeping community priorities in mind.
Adjustments to the local levy lid could both increase and decrease the budget issues. One item included in the governor’s proposal was a reduced inflation factor, reducing it from four percent to two percent for 2011, which would reduce the district’s levy collections by $1.4 million. However, the governor also has suggested a potential raise in the levy lid to a maximum of 36 percent, which could impact that total. The state House of Representatives and Senate will each propose a supplemental budget after the next revenue forecast which is expected in mid February. The 60-day session is scheduled will conclude on March 11th, unless extended. |
posted Jan 16, 2010 3:18 PM by Rena Peterson
Happy New Year! I’m going straight into what’s going on with education to try and keep this email as short as possible!
Focus Day is coming up on Monday, January 18th in Olympia. This is your chance to gather with others who want to show our state government how important educating our children are. This year is different than past years because it is being held on a holiday (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) and parents are encouraged to bring their children. This is a fabulous opportunity to involve your children and show them what “peaceful assembly” means and give them an opportunity to experience government in action. You can tour the capital and make appointments to meet legislators. I have forwarded an separate email with more information on the happenings and also on free bus transportation to event. In addition, here is the link on the Washington State PTA website will all the information: http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/focus_day/index.html .
The big news regarding education is once again the state budget. On December 9th, Governor Gregoire released a 2010 supplemental budget that considers an additional $2.6 billion projected shortfall for the state’s 2009-11 biennial budget. State law requires the governor submit a balanced budget based on current tax revenue. This proposed budget would have a significant impact on all the students in the state from early childhood thru university. According to the League of Education Voters, her budget proposal “cuts education by more than $470 million in early learning, K-12 and higher education.” The UW could see as much as $20.9 million in cuts.
It is imperative we communicate to our government how important it is to minimize the cuts to our education system. Here is a link to put you in touch with our lawmakers: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx .
In today’s Thursday packet, I hope you notice the presentation by Supt. Kimball on Jan. 21st. His levy presentation located on the district website also has information on the funding and economic issues the district is faced with.
Take care,
Rena Peterson
Franklin PTA Legislative Chair
legislation@mybenfranklinpta.org |
posted Sep 18, 2009 7:13 AM by Rena Peterson
Welcome to Legislation Updates! As your Legislative Chairperson, my job is to keep you updated on the advocacy efforts of PTA and the educational issues being addressed by our local, state, and national governments. I receive updates from different sources and gather my own information to help keep you informed. I also represent you and vote your voice on issues at assemblies during the school year. I understand how easy it is to become overwhelmed with “the crisis in education”. What does this mean and what can we do about it? My goal is to help answer those questions.
The crisis in education is real and at all levels, district to national. The statistics are mind-numbing: Washington is ranked 46th in the nation for class size, 45nd in the nation in spending per student, $548 less money per student in public schools than in 1992, etc. (www.takethelead.org) Crisis seems to be the buzz word of the day being used to describe many areas of our lives. Which crisis do we choose to focus our energy on? Like our state constitution, I believe our paramount duty is to educate our children. I choose education. Throughout the year, I will provide opportunities for you to speak out. I hope you choose to have your voice heard.
Last year, our advocacy focus was at the state level where PTA joined many, many others in the fight to hold our legislature accountable by redefining basic education. In the midst of celebrating the passage of ESHB 2261, the focus was directed to the budget shortfalls within our district. (for a summary of this landmark legislation http://www.educationvoters.org/legislation/eshb-2261-whats-next/ ) Here at Franklin we participated in the process making sure the district knew we wanted the integrity of the classroom to be first priority. We held our breath as we waited to see how the budget cuts would affect us and there was a collective sigh of relief when we learned we got to keep our teachers. Now is the time we need to let our leaders know how we want our precious resources allocated.
At Franklin, we come from every walk of life and every region of the world. By spreading the word and encouraging your community of family and friends to care about education, you are making the greatest contribution you can to advocacy. The top priority issues for our state PTA this year are:
1. Basic Education Funding
2. Strengthening Math and Science Curriculum and Education
3. Washington State Assessment Improvements
4. Support State Board of Education CORE 24 Framework
5. Support Rational Approaches to Teacher Compensation
The following link is to all the issues adopted by Washington State PTA, including top priority and supported issues. I will give you an opportunity to vote on resolutions around these priorities as the year goes on. In spring, you will be given an opportunity to vote on the priorities for next year as well. http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/leg_assembly/Issue_Guide_2009.pdf
In addition, there are national issues impacting us, with many issues surrounding ESEA-NCLB. With No Child Left Behind up for reauthorization, the opportunity exists to address the challenges in the act. This is timely for us since our Franklin community has been joined by families from Redmond Elementary who have exercised their rights under NCLB. As more and more of our schools become unable to meet required benchmarks, the legislation will need to be changed. I encourage you to look through this information to better understand the issues. http://www.lwsd.org/school/Redmond/SiteCollectionDocuments/AYP%20Newsletter%20article.pdf http://www.lwsd.org/school/Redmond/SiteCollectionDocuments/AYP-Questions-updated.pdf and http://www.pta.org/PTA_PublicPolicyPDF_final.pdf
What to do right now:
1. Check this website periodically, more regularly in January, February, and March. Let me know if you need more information or clarification on anything I post.
2. Drop me an email to legislation@mybenfranklinpta.org telling me you want to receive updates and action requests.
3. Check out these links and acquaint yourself with the issues:
Washington State PTA: www.wastatepta.org National PTA: www.pta.org
League of Education Voters: www.educationvoters.org
Joint Task Force Basic Education Finance: http://www.leg.wa.gov/joint/committees/bef/
4. Focus Day 2010: Mark January 18, 2010 on your calendar! Join hundreds of other PTA members and community leaders in Olympia where we will be able to let our legislators know our priorities. http://www.wastatepta.org/meetings/focus_day/focus_day_flyer_09.pdf
One last administrative item: I do not author everything I publish. Like you, I am very, very busy and wear many hats in my life. I am on different emails lists, have websites I check regularly, and attend forums throughout the year. I always strive to note my resources so if you don’t see one listed, please ask. I welcome discussion and debate on the issues and will provide all the information I can so you can better understand the issues and make the best decision for yourself. I will never participate in an argument that digresses into a personal attack.
This is going to be an exciting, action packed year! I look forward to working with you!
Rena Peterson
Legislative Chairperson
Ben Franklin PTA |
posted Feb 26, 2009 7:54 AM by Franklin PTA
Legislative Update on WSPTA’s Priority Issues
1. Basic Education Funding In this year’s Legislative Session a long-time WSPTA top priority, Basic Education Funding, has been center stage of discussion and work. Over the past year the Legislative Task Force for Basic Education Funding worked to redefine what constitutes Basic Education and make recommendations for changes. WSPTA enthusiastically endorsed those recommendations and testified in support of legislation to implement them. Education associations also made recommendations for changes and supported legislation that implemented their recommendations. In an effort to move legislation forward, legislators replaced the opposing bills with a bill of intent (SB 6048) and are working with stakeholders, including WSPTA, to find points of agreement so meaningful legislation can be passed this session.
Major areas of consensus among most stakeholders include: - Adopting a prototype schools allocation system for more transparency
- Including a non-partisan commission to recommend changes going forward
- Teacher compensation is inadequate
- The crux of the problem is that education is underfunded
- Levies would continue to be part of the picture, and there must be some degree of equalization
- Need for a new definition of basic education
- Need for clear articulation of the state’s responsibility versus what districts are expected/able to do from local funds
- Need for a “robust” data system for accountability purposes
Current bills for the Other WSPTA Priority Issues:
2. Math and Science:
HB 2000, Providing a coordinated approach to creating an adequate supply of well-qualified mathematics and science teachers. The Professional Educator Standards Board is the lead agency in a collaborative effort with many others to create an adequate supply of math and science teachers.
HB 1646 - Making adjustments pertaining to the high school Washington assessment of student learning in mathematics and science. The State Board of Education is authorized to implement the math and science graduation requirement based on a determination of the reliability and validity of the math and science assessments for purposes of graduation. Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop an implementation plan to assure students have the opportunity to learn the new mathematics and science standards, and to recommend by December 1, 2009, whether the high school science WASL should be an end-of-course assessment.
SB 5498 Allows those students to graduate, who, after having failed to pass the 10th grade math WASL, continued to take math classes each year, but did not take the math WASL every year.
3. Improving the State Assessment System: SB 5414 Implementing recommendations of the WASL legislative work group. This bill includes all aspects of the WSPTA Assessment System issue which include providing a national comparison of individual student progress data, provide diagnostic assessments to determine student needs, measure individual student growth in a manner that is reliable and valid, provide results quickly so that they can be used to guide instruction during the current school year, and be cost and time efficient.
4. Support for Core 24 Framework The Core 24 Framework is The State Board of Education’s (SBE) proposal for a meaningful high school diploma. (See www.sbe.wa.gov). The SBE has formed its Core 24 Implementation task force, comprised of experienced teachers, which will begin work March 2nd. The SBE has made it very clear that Core 24 can not be implemented without additional adequate levels of funding. Core 24 will continue to be discussed as part of the overall effort to develop the details of the education finance reform bills.
5. Support Rational Approaches to Teacher Compensation Like Core 24, this topic will continue to be discussed as work is done to develop the education finance reform bills.
What can you do to support these efforts?
For more information contact Julie Wright, Mead Legislative Chair, Julie.wright@7wrights.com. |
posted Feb 26, 2009 6:31 AM by Franklin PTA
In this time of shrinking budgets, it is important that we remember the importance of funding our children's education. This bill provides for lower class sizes in elementary schools, as well as funding the critical 6th period required for high schoolers to graduate "college-ready." Thursday, Februrary 26th is the PTA's annual Focus Day. The PTA across Washington State wants a strong presence to advocate for our children's education. If you are interested in being part of this, please check out the Focus Day. There are carpools and busses heading to Olympia to tell our Legislature that kids education cannot slip further. |
posted Feb 26, 2009 6:20 AM by Franklin PTA
The bills HB1410/SB5444 and HB1817/SB5607 that were introduced in January to address education reform were both rejected last week. However a new set of bills were introduced. Below is an excerpt from from Dan Steele, WSSDA Director of Governmental Relations, summarizing what happened. In the past, Dan Steele "has provided much information on the bills to implement recommendations adopted by the Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance (HB 1410/SB 5444) and the bills to implement the Full Funding Coalition's education finance proposal (HB 1817/SB 5607). By now, you have probably heard that both sets of bills are essentially dead. Bad news? Not really. Early on, we anticipated that the Full Funding Coalition bills were not going to be acted upon. We were pleased — although somewhat surprised — when the Senate bill received a public hearing and the House bill was reviewed in a work session; however, any further action was only a very remote possibility. Knowing our bills would not be adopted, we focused on highlighting some of the major concerns we had with HB 1410/SB 5444. In the past few weeks, the battle between the two sets of bills intensified and, although we strongly advocated for a reasonable compromise that would allow a new education finance system to be put in place, folks in the field were starting to take sides in the fight — and were taking shots at the "other side." We feared that the growing in-fighting would actually cause both sets of bills to be rejected as legislators grew weary of the fight and chose to focus on other pressing issues. Earlier this week, both sets of bills were technically rejected; however, a group of legislators stepped up and introduced new bills to create a new education funding system. HB 2261/SB 6048 currently only include one section, an "intent" section, but the idea is to use these new, as yet untainted bills, as the vehicles for action. When these bills were introduced, education stakeholders were called together and we were all told, collectively, that the "us versus them" fight between the competing sets of education finance bills needed to stop and the new bills would be used to carry forward a compromise plan. Although there is much disagreement about what a final plan should look like, stakeholders immediately began discussing items in which there was a broad consensus. Three initial pieces in which there was broad agreement were: 1) The need for a new definition of Basic Education. There were disagreements over what should be included in the new definition; however, it was agreed that a new definition — and funding — was needed. 2) The adoption of a new, flexible allocation system based on a prototype schools model. The prototype schools approach is one of the few specific items included in both the Task Force bills and the Coalition bills. 3) Adding a new "oversight" group to recommend on-going changes. A new, non-partisan Commission for Quality Education in Washington — as suggested by the Coalition — was mentioned; however, the consensus was that there needed to be oversight. Specific details were not discussed about who or what should provide that oversight. Much of the work on crafting new compromise language will be done behind-the-scenes — and it is expected this work will continue throughout much of this session. In addition to the meeting called to unveil the new "intent" bills (and follow-up meetings), the Superintendent of Public Instruction has begun to meet with stakeholders about these same issues. It is our understanding that Governor Gregoire, who has not yet publicly stepped into the fray, is beginning to become engaged in the discussion as well. Whether she personally steps up to provide direction or not, she certainly will continue to watch this process with interest. A final note: SB 6048 has already been scheduled for a public hearing next week. The bill will be heard on Monday, Feb. 23 at 1:30 pm in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee." Focus Day - Be Present in Olympia In this time of shrinking budgets, it is important that we remember the importance of funding our children's education. This bill provides for lower class sizes in elementary schools, as well as funding the critical 6th period required for high schoolers to graduate "college-ready." Thursday, Februrary 26th is the PTA's annual Focus Day. The PTA across Washington State wants a strong presence to advocate for our children's education. If you are interested in being part of this, please check out the Focus Day. There are carpools and busses heading to Olympia to tell our Legislature that kids education cannot slip further. Other links: http://whatittakesforkids.com/ www.educationvoters.org Ross Hunter's Open Letter to Teachers |
|
