State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Emijah Smith of Children's Alliance take a question from moderator Kathleen Carson at the General Meeting Jan. 28, 2019.
State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott and Emijah Smith of Children’s Alliance take a question from moderator Kathleen Carson at the General Meeting Jan. 28, 2019.

People at the Jan. 28 “Advocacy Night” PTSA General Meeting heard terrific advice and insight from our guests, King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Seattle Schools First Board Chair Melissa Pailthorp, State Sen. Jamie Pedersen, State Rep. Eric Pettigrew (on the phone!) and Emijah Smith of Children’s Alliance.

If you didn’t write postcards at the meeting, there are other steps to help ensure that Seattle schools can avoid serious cuts next year, such as using the Legislature’s website to provide feedback to your three legislators. The PTSA Board has endorsed the local Levies, but has not taken a position on any of the legislation:

  1. Vote YES on the SPS levies, Propositions 1 and 2. You should have already received your ballot in the mail! Deadline is Feb. 12.
  2. Urge the state Legislature to restore local levy flexibility. One such legislative vehicle is Senate Bill 5313. The Legislature’s website enables you to easily send feedback to your legislators (look for the “comment on this bill” button).
  3. Urge the Legislature to add state funding for public schools. One bill to achieve that would be Senate Bill 5129.