ATTENTION PARENTS
Washington’s system to pay for schools is broken. By law, the state is supposed to pay for basic expenses like salaries and utilities. But across Washington, districts face severe financial shortfalls and some may become insolvent. The state is underfunding K-12 education, primarily by not covering actual staffing costs and not keeping up with inflation.
The state government’s proposal is a $2.1 million cut to Anacortes’ school budget in addition to projections of declining enrollment. This year the district had to cut close to $1 million. They will have to cut programs and have RIFs, which may start in May.
The Basic Education Task Force has put forth their recommendations. Read about it HERE. Mt Erie PTA supports this recommendation – this is the key message we wish to get across to our legislators.
What happens next depends on all of us.
How to get involved:
•1. Educate yourself:
WA State PTA: http://www.wastatepta.org/leg/funding.htm
The League of Education Voters: http://www.educationvoters.org/home
www.fundingwaschools.org
•2. Contact your legislator directly at http://capwiz.com/npta2/wa/home/ (other contact info below)
•3. Join the letter writing campaign at AHS PTSA meeting on February 4, 2009 7pm & hear Frank Ordway from the League of Education voters speak
•4. Write a letter to the editor of the Skagit Valley Herald or Anacortes American
Legislative Contacts
| Representative Dave Quall (D) (40th Dist.) 360-428-1023 Quall.dave@leg.wa.gov PO BOX 40600 Olympia WA 98504-0600 | Representative Barbara Bailey ® (10th Dist.) 360-786-7914 Bailey.barbara@leg.wa.gov PO BOX 40600 Olympia WA 98504-0600 |
| Representative Jeff Morris (D) (40th Dist.) 360-786-7970 morris.jeff@leg.wa.gov PO BOX 40600 Olympia WA 98504-0600 | Representative Norma Smith ® (10th Dist.) 360-786-7884 smith.norma@leg.wa.gov PO BOX 40600 Olympia WA 98504-0600 |
| Senator Kevin Ranker (D) (40th Dist.) 360-786-7678 Ranker.kevin@leg.wa.gov PO BOX 40440 Olympia WA 98504-0440 | Representative Mary Margaret Haugen (D) (10th Dist.) 360-682-6274 Haugen.marymargaret@leg.wa.gov PO BOX 40410 Olympia WA 98504-0410 |
