1. Make your voice heard in Olympia
The WA State PTA’s annual “Focus Day” in the State Capitol is coming up fast – Wednesday February 3rd. Join other parents from across the state in Olympia by registering here. If you can’t make the trip to Olympia, we will be taking some time at our February 9th Bryant PTSA meeting to send short messages to our legislators. This will be easy and motivating to do as a group, so please join in.

2. Vote For Seattle Schools on February 9th!
On February 9, 2016, Seattle voters will be asked to renew two expiring levies that provide essential funding for our schools. Neither of these levies is a new tax; they renew expiring levies. The Operations levy provides a quarter of the day-to-day operating budget for Seattle Public Schools. This levy funds everything from teacher and principal salaries to textbooks and classroom supplies – basic essentials that students need to succeed. If renewed, the Operations levy will direct $758 million to public education over three years.

The Capital levy – Buildings, Technology and Academics/Athletics IV, or BTA IV – will provide $475 million over six years to fund earthquake safety projects, help students get a 21st century education with technology upgrades and science labs, and expand our classroom capacity with 2,050 new seats to meet the needs of our growing school district.

If we don’t renew these levies, Seattle’s public schools will suffer a reduction in funds that will devastate their ability to provide our children with a quality education. While we need to push for long-term change in Olympia this legislative session (see above), we can’t let the levies fail – our students and teachers are counting on us. The Bryant PTSA is endorsing the levies and encourages you to support them.

More info can be found at www.schoolsfirstseattle.org

Questions about either of the above? Contact Bryant PTSA Legislative Chair Joan Crooks.