Legislative

Lockwood PTA 6.10.25

24118 Lockwood Rd. - Bothell, WA 98021

January 2018 Bond and Levy update

At the January 9, 2018 general meeting, Lockwood PTA members voted to officially support and endorse the Northshore School District’s three propositions that the public will be asked to vote on in the February 13, 2018 election:

  • Proposition 1: Renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations Levy

  • Proposition 2: Capital Projects Bond

  • Proposition 3: Renewal of the Technology Levy

For more information regarding the Levies and Bond, please visit the Northshore School District’s website at https://www.nsd.org/2018bondlevies. See below for the three resolutions passed by motion by the Lockwood PTA in support of the three propositions.

Remember to vote by February 13, 2018! Your vote will make a difference!

February 2018 Northshore School District Bond and Levies

The Northshore School District is asking for your support and VOTE for its plan to keep pace with development and enrollment increases through the following three measures on the Feb. 13, 2018 ballot:

Proposition 1: Renewal Educational Programs & Operations Levy covers basic education costs and makes up 20 percent of the district budget. The levy ensures continued high-quality academics for all students, and also focuses on learners who need additional resources and interventions, including special education students, and struggling and advanced learners. The levy also funds extra-curricular activities including music, drama, sports and clubs. This levy replaces the current Educational Programs and Operations levy that expires in 2018.

Proposition 2: Capital Projects Bond will add much needed capacity, easing overcrowding district wide, while also addressing equity issues. The bond provides for safety and security updates at all schools; a new K-5 school at a district owned site near Maltby; a new 30-classroom flexible use building on the Skyview Middle/Canyon Creek Elementary campus; and a performing arts building at Inglemoor High School, to support both instruction and production. Ongoing building repairs and additional outdoor instructional and athletics spaces will also be included among the bond projects.

Proposition 3: Renewal Technology Levy will put technology in the hands of every student, while teaching them to be safe and responsible digital citizens. This levy will also provide the important supports, including teacher training and parent input, to make this strategy a success. Improved district-to-family communications will also be funded. This levy replaces the current Technology levy that expires in 2018.

The above language from the Northshore School District website and more detailed information on the upcoming bond and levies can be found at 2018 Bond and Levies / 2018 Bond and Levies Overview.

Learn more at the Lockwood PTA General Membership meeting on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 7 p.m. with Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, who will present information and answer questions on the 2018 Bond & Levies.

2017 Legislative Assembly

The WSPTA held its 39th Annual Legislative Assembly in Tacoma in October 2017. The Lockwood PTA sent two parent members as delegates to the Assembly this year. A majority of delegates voted to approve four resolutions and seven "also supported" issues (as amended) to guide the WSPTA advocacy efforts. In addition, various presentations and classes were held, including a detailed update on the 2017 legislative session from WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan, an informative keynote address on the McCleary school funding case from lead plaintiff attorney Thomas Ahearne, new advocacy training and classes on, among other things, the federal Every Child Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the new Washington state education funding law, HB 2242.

Resolutions are long-term advocacy positions, and guide advocacy work from local to state levels. At the 2017 Legislative Assembly, delegates adopted resolutions on:

    • Mental Health Needs for Children

    • Trauma Informed Care

    • Increasing Access and Affordability of Post-secondary/Higher Education Degrees and Certificates

    • LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Legislative Issues make up WSPTA’s short-term, two-year legislative platform. At Legislative Assembly in even-numbered years, delegates vote on a completely new platform, and prioritize the top five issues. The other approved issues are placed on an “also supported” list. During the odd-numbered years, such as 2017, delegates vote to add new, emerging issues to the also supported list. At the 2017 Legislative Assembly, the following legislative issues were added to the “Also Supported” list for the 2018 Legislative Platform (in alphabetical order):

    • Addressing the Teacher Shortage

    • Best Practices for School Meal Policies

    • Career Connected Learning, CTE & Stem

    • Dual Credit Equality & Support

    • Equity for Highly Capable

    • Preventing and Mitigating the Impacts of Gender-based Violence

    • School Construction and Class Size Reduction

See 2017 WSPTA Legislative Assembly Recap - WSPTA for a more complete recap of the Legislative Assembly. See 2017 survey results from Lockwood PTA members on the four proposed resolutions and seven proposed legislative issues. See https://www.wastatepta.org/category/advocacy/legislative/ for other legislative updates.

[Link to 2017 Legislative Assembly materials]

Online Advocacy Resources

  • Directory of Elected Officials at www.seattlelwv.org/try (put out by the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County)

  • Washington State Legislature information at leg.wa.gov (information re legislators, bills, etc.)

  • Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, State of Washington, at www.k12.wa.us

  • WSPTA website at www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/

  • Northshore School District School Board at www.nsd.org/domain/190

For more information:

www.wastatepta.org or www.pta.org